WestJet of Canada Approved to Operate International Routes to Brazil

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On October 7, Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) formally approved WestJet Airlines Ltd. of Canada to operate scheduled international air transport services in Brazil, with the authorization covering international flights originating from or destined for Brazil. The approval was granted under Administrative Order No. 20.129/SSA, which was signed on October 5, published in Brazil's Official Gazette on October 7, and took effect on the date of publication. WestJet must conduct the relevant operations in accordance with the conditions approved by ANAC and the air transport agreement between Brazil and Canada.

WestJet has announced plans for a direct route connecting Calgary, Canada, with São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport in Brazil, to be operated with Boeing 787-9 widebody aircraft with three round trips per week. The route is WestJet's 100th direct destination from Calgary Airport and the first direct route in its plans connecting western Canada with South America.

According to the flight schedule published by WestJet, the Calgary–São Paulo flight is scheduled to depart at 22:45 local time and arrive at 15:35 the following day; the return flight is scheduled to depart São Paulo at 19:40 and arrive in Calgary at 5:15 the following day. The airline's latest route page lists the operating season as December 2026 to February 2027, and the specific schedule remains subject to change.

WestJet plans to connect through São Paulo Airport to the regional route network of LATAM Airlines Group, covering destinations such as Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Santiago, and Buenos Aires. The airline has made booking information for the São Paulo route available on its official website and has incorporated passenger connections and baggage transfer arrangements into the two parties' cooperative services. The new route is also planned to provide air cargo capacity using the belly hold of Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

This Brazilian regulatory approval concerns WestJet's eligibility to operate scheduled international air transport services in the country. The flight schedule previously announced by the airline listed conditions pending government approval; the latest regulatory document has confirmed that its operating authorization is in effect, but it does not include the first flight date, specific flight times, or frequency in the administrative order.