WestJet touches down in Brandon

Tuesday was a big day for people in southwestern Manitoba, as WestJet launched its non-stop service between Brandon and Calgary.

A big party greeted WestJet's first flight from Calgary as the plane landed at the Brandon airport on Tuesday afternoon.

The 78-seat turboprop aircraft carried Brandon's mayor, Shari Decter Hirst, as well as Virden Mayor Jeff McConnell and other excited passengers.

"When we saw the hundreds of people that were out and then waving, oh, it was so exciting. It was much like a victory flight for our region," Decter Hirst said.

The flights could be a game-changer for people in Brandon and other communities across southwestern Manitoba.

Until now, many of those residents have had to drive two hours to Winnipeg to catch flights outside the province.

"I'm excited to be on this. This is great," said Murray Lang, who boarded the first flight from Brandon to Calgary.

Lang said WestJet's service will really help connect him and his family in Souris, Man., with family members in Calgary.

Brandon's business community also welcomed WestJet's arrival on Tuesday.

"It's opened up the world to western Manitoba businesses, so we're now connected, whether it be supplies, services, employees," said Sandy Trudel,the city's economic development director.