A low-cost airline from Canada to Bermuda has landed.

WestJet WS 2710 touched down at 2.08 p.m. yesterday, marking the start of a daily service between Canada and the Island.

The 131 passengers disembarked from the Boeing 737 NG jet onto a pink carpet after sipping champagne Mimosas at 10,000 feet.

Among them was 72-year-old Patricia Poscente from Edmonton, who described the flight as "absolutely charming".

The senior, who sat behind Premier Ewart Brown and his wife Wanda, said: "I have visited Bermuda once before, when I was 21. I think having affordable flights is important as you will get a lot more tourists coming here."

Mrs. Brown said: "It was a wonderful flight. WestJet were saying how good the response has been so far. Everyone was excited about coming to Bermuda."

Also on board were the H&H Gombey troupe, having entertained passengers at Pearson International Airport in Toronto prior to this morning's 10.20 a.m. departure.

Once inside L.F. Wade International Airport, the Gombeys performed on home turf, after which the Premier cut a blue ribbon to mark the occasion.

"It is a very special pleasure to participate in the inaugural WestJet flight to Bermuda," said Dr. Brown.

"For the first time in almost 70 years an airline from Canada has committed to come from Canada to our beautiful Island home."

Dr. Brown, Minister of Tourism and Transport, said: "The politician in me must say, promise made, promise delivered.

"The arrival of the WestJet service to Bermuda will bring about much-needed fare stimulation into the market."

He said research had shown interest from Canadian visitors was linked to "price elasticity" in airfares.

"When fares dropped 17 percent, correspondingly, demand increased by 17 percent last year," he said.

"Demand between Canada and Bermuda is up almost 12 percent despite the challenging economic times, so this is an excellent opportunity for growth.

"The arrival of WestJet will only further stimulate interest in travel to Bermuda."

The Premier told The Royal Gazette he is still pursuing a low-cost carrier from the UK, following the collapse of Zoom in 2008.

"The search is on," he said. "Not a week goes by when we don't talk to someone in the UK. But especially since the volcano (the Eyjafjallajoekull eruption in Iceland), airlines are merely trying to stay afloat, so I expect they will go through the summer and then resume some serious conversation."

A low-cost airline from Canada to Bermuda has landed.

WestJet WS 2710 touched down at 2.08 p.m. yesterday, marking the start of a daily service between Canada and the Island.

The 131 passengers disembarked from the Boeing 737 NG jet onto a pink carpet after sipping champagne Mimosas at 10,000 feet.

Among them was 72-year-old Patricia Poscente from Edmonton, who described the flight as "absolutely charming".

The senior, who sat behind Premier Ewart Brown and his wife Wanda, said: "I have visited Bermuda once before, when I was 21. I think having affordable flights is important as you will get a lot more tourists coming here."

Mrs. Brown said: "It was a wonderful flight. WestJet were saying how good the response has been so far. Everyone was excited about coming to Bermuda."

Also on board were the H&H Gombey troupe, having entertained passengers at Pearson International Airport in Toronto prior to this morning's 10.20 a.m. departure.

Once inside L.F. Wade International Airport, the Gombeys performed on home turf, after which the Premier cut a blue ribbon to mark the occasion.

"It is a very special pleasure to participate in the inaugural WestJet flight to Bermuda," said Dr. Brown.

"For the first time in almost 70 years an airline from Canada has committed to come from Canada to our beautiful Island home."

Dr. Brown, Minister of Tourism and Transport, said: "The politician in me must say, promise made, promise delivered.

"The arrival of the WestJet service to Bermuda will bring about much-needed fare stimulation into the market."

He said research had shown interest from Canadian visitors was linked to "price elasticity" in airfares.

"When fares dropped 17 percent, correspondingly, demand increased by 17 percent last year," he said.

"Demand between Canada and Bermuda is up almost 12 percent despite the challenging economic times, so this is an excellent opportunity for growth.

"The arrival of WestJet will only further stimulate interest in travel to Bermuda."

The Premier told The Royal Gazette he is still pursuing a low-cost carrier from the UK, following the collapse of Zoom in 2008.

"The search is on," he said. "Not a week goes by when we don't talk to someone in the UK. But especially since the volcano (the Eyjafjallajoekull eruption in Iceland), airlines are merely trying to stay afloat, so I expect they will go through the summer and then resume some serious conversation."

Tourism director William Griffith described WestJet as a "game changer". He also praised the Premier's "tenacity" in securing the airline's arrival following five years of dialogue.

"The decision of your airline to commence service to Bermuda is one that has been anticipated with bated breath for some time," he told WestJet representatives.

"This will signal, we believe, a tremendous shot in the arm for increased visitors from Canada."

Dressed in a pair of yellow Bermuda shorts from the English Sports Shop, John MacLeod of WestJet said: "We're delighted to be here."

WestJet was founded in Calgary 14 years ago. It now flies to 69 cities in ten countries, aiming to deliver low fares at a high quality service.

Fares for the Canada-Bermuda service start at $99 each way.