Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, has welcomed the launch of WestJet’s new direct service between Québec City, Canada and Montego Bay, marking a significant milestone in Jamaica’s tourism recovery following the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

The weekly service, which began operations on December 6, 2025, represents a powerful vote of confidence in Jamaica’s resilience and its commitment to welcoming visitors even as the nation continues its recovery efforts.

“The arrival of this new route from Québec City is more than just an expansion of airlift—it is a testament to Jamaica’s unwavering spirit and determination to emerge stronger from disruption,” said Minister Bartlett. “Even as we continue to rebuild and restore our tourism infrastructure following Hurricane Melissa, the confidence shown by WestJet and the Canadian market reinforces that Jamaica remains the Caribbean’s premier destination.”

The new Québec City-Montego Bay route is critical to Jamaica’s ambitious goal to welcome 600,000 Canadian visitors annually and generate US$750 million in tourism earnings by 2030. 

“Canada has always been a vital partner in Jamaica’s tourism success, and this new route from Québec City demonstrates the strong ties between our nations,” Bartlett stated. “This French market represents a tremendous opportunity for growth, and we are committed to providing Québec travellers with authentic Jamaican experiences that will create lasting memories.”

The launch of the new service comes as Jamaica demonstrates its remarkable capacity for recovery. Despite the negative impact caused by Hurricane Melissa, the tourism sector has mobilised rapidly to restore critical infrastructure and ensure visitor safety and satisfaction.

“This route will not only bring more visitors to Jamaica but will also facilitate trade, strengthen people-to-people connections, and create employment opportunities for Jamaicans,” Bartlett noted. “Tourism is the engine of our economy, and every new flight represents jobs, livelihoods, and hope for our people.”

The new route is part of WestJet’s expanded winter 2025/2026 schedule for Québec, which integrates Sunwing’s network following the two carriers’ merger. The service will operate once weekly, providing Québec travellers with convenient access to Jamaica’s world-renowned beaches, culture, and hospitality.

“Hurricane Melissa tested us, but it did not break us. The arrival of this new WestJet service is proof that Jamaica is ready to welcome visitors to its shores,” said Donovan White, Director of Tourism. 

The new route is part of WestJet’s expanded winter 2025/2026 schedule for Québec, which integrates Sunwing’s network following the two carriers’ merger. The service will operate weekly, providing Québec travellers with convenient access to Jamaica’s world-renowned beaches, culture, and hospitality.

“We are humbled that our partners, WestJet and Sunwing, remain confident in Jamaica’s ability to build back, and this reinforces the fact that Jamaica is open for business, and we are ready to welcome our Canadian visitors,” said Angella Bennett, Regional Director for Canada.