CHICAGO, IL, February 7, 2012 - - The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) today announced that Canadian airline WestJet will launch daily non-stop service between Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Vancouver, British Columbia, and between Chicago O'Hare and Calgary beginning on May 14, 2012.

WestJet will fly the routes with its own Boeing 737 fleet. WestJet currently provides service from O'Hare to Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal via a code-sharing agreement with American Airlines.

"Chicago is a national hub with a global presence," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. "This new international service by WestJet will add to our city's economic growth, bring new job opportunity and increase options for travelers coming into and out of the city. This is great news for Chicagoans and our visitors."

"The Chicago Department of Aviation is pleased to welcome WestJet to Chicago and to offer new service to Chicagoans to Calgary and Vancouver," said CDA Commissioner Rosemarie S. Andolino. "WestJet's new services will bring an estimated $45 million of economic activity to the Chicago region and approximately 20 new jobs, underscoring Mayor Emanuel's commitment to growing Chicago's economy and increasing Chicago's stature as a truly global transportation center. And we believe passengers traveling from Alberta and British Columbia will find that O'Hare International Airport offers an outstanding level of connectivity to destinations all across the U.S."

WestJet flights to Calgary and Vancouver can be booked now at www.WestJet.com.

"We're pleased to introduce service to and from Chicago," said John MacLeod, WestJet Vice-President, Network Management and Alliances. "The addition of Chicago shows how our continued growth and code-share agreements are working together to provide guests with non-stop service from the East and West. We believe this balance appeals to both business and leisure travellers looking to experience what Chicago has to offer, as well as for northbound travellers looking to visit Banff and the Rocky Mountains via Calgary or board cruise ships from Vancouver. We look forward to welcoming new and returning guests on board these exciting new services."

Airlines at O'Hare currently provide service to 11 destinations in Canada with 51 daily departures: Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, London, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City, Regina, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg.