A WestJet Q400 aircraft. (Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons)

By Victor Kaisar

YKA to YEG Flight

WestJet to revive direct flights between Kamloops and Edmonton

May 19, 2025 | 12:44 PM

KAMLOOPS — WestJet is adding a new direct flight between Kamloops and Edmonton, starting July 6.

WestJet Encore will use its De Havilland Dash 8-400 (Q400) aircraft for the twice-weekly flights to Kamloops, as well as to Prince George (starting July 5), which are both set to operate throughout the peak summer travel season.

“Restoring service to Kamloops and introducing service to Prince George is a direct reflection of Canadians’ interest in exploring their own backyard this summer,” John Weatherill, WestJet’s Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer said, in a statement.

“With more flights and more seats in key Western Canadian markets, we’re giving Canadians better access to the destinations they rely on for business, leisure and visiting loved ones.”

At this time, it appears that the flights between Kamloops and Edmonton will operate on Fridays and Sundays until Aug. 31.

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Flights are currently scheduled to leave Edmonton at 5:45 p.m. MDT and arrive in Kamloops at 6:08 p.m. PDT. They’re scheduled to leave Kamloops at 6:45 p.m. PDT and arrive back in Edmonton at 9:11 p.m. MDT.

An online search of fares appear show prices for a one-way trip from Kamloops to Edmonton between $185 and $227, while a one-way trip from Edmonton to Kamloops was priced at between $206 and $248.

“As a gateway to the City of Kamloops and the Thompson Nicola region, Kamloops Airport is very pleased to welcome back WestJet’s service to Edmonton,” Jim Moroz, the new Managing Director at Kamloops Airport said.

“We look forward to working with WestJet and our tourism partners to make this service a success.”

WestJet briefly flew between Kamloops and Edmonton in 2021, but those flights did not perform as expected owing to a lack of available flight crews and passengers due to the lingering effects of the pandemic and that summer’s wildfire season.

The Calgary-based airline previously cancelled its flights between Edmonton and Kamloops in 2016. It’s former ultra low-cost offering – Swoop – also announced a flight between the two citites that was to begin in 2020, but it never did because of COVID-19.

Officials at Kamloops Airport (YKA) have been working on adding flights to Edmonton and Toronto for a while, according to former YKA Managing Director, Ed Ratuski. Victoria had also been identified as a key market, and it has been serviced by Pacific Coastal Airlines since 2023.

“Edmonton has long been a popular destination for our community, and the service comes just in time for travelers on both ends of the route to reconnect with family and friends during the summer months,” Moroz added.

This new WestJet flight will be the first direct service between Kamloops and Edmonton since Flair Airlines’ short-lived foray into the Kamloops-area. Launched on June 18, 2023, Flair pulled the plug on the new route on Sept. 6 that year.

In the WestJet statement, James Jackson, the Vice President of Air Service and Business Development at Edmonton International Airport (YEG) said they welcome flights to more Canadian destinations that give people more places to explore.

“Non-stop flights between Edmonton and Kamloops and Prince George offers travellers from British Columbia convenient access to world-class experiences and attractions in the Edmonton region, and connectivity to YEG’s vast network of global destinations,” Jackson said.

“Likewise, people from Edmonton and surrounding communities can seamlessly reach more of British Columbia’s breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture without the lengthy road trip.”