Cardiff Airport confirms new flights to Canada

WestJet will begin operating flights from Cardiff Airport to Toronto in 2026

New flights from Cardiff to Canada have been announced for 2026.

WestJet will operate four direct services a week from 23 May from Rhoose, Vale of Glamorgan, to Toronto Pearson International Airport.

First Minister Eluned Morgan welcomed the new route, claiming it was a boost for tourism and business.

Latest figures show 928,000 passengers travelled through the Welsh government-owned airport in the past year, a 5.3% rise on the previous year, but it is still well below the 1.6 million passengers in 2019.

The first minister said: "With good connections to other Canadian cities, the new Toronto route will open up new economic opportunities for Wales in North America."

Earlier this year, TUI announced new routes to Portugal and Egypt starting next May.

Cardiff Airport has been owned by the Welsh government since 2015

Government-owned airport

The Welsh government bought Cardiff Airport for £52m - but it has received substantial financial support since in grants, debt-clearing and investment totalling £180m.

Last summer, the Welsh government announced an additional £206m would be invested over 10 years to boost passenger numbers and improve facilities.

But Bristol Airport has launched a legal challenge against the plans, claiming the subsidy is "unprecedented" and would exceed Cardiff Airport's current annual turnover.