WestJet to temporarily suspend service to select domestic airports

WestJet announced that it will be temporarily suspending operations to four domestic stations, beginning March 19 until June 24.

The cities that will no longer see service from the Canadian airline during this time are St. John’s, NL, London, ON, Lloydminster, AB, and Medicine Hat, AB.

“We have continued to operate in the face of uncertainty as domestic and international travel restrictions and quarantines have caused demand to plummet,” said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO, “Unfortunately, with new and increasingly restrictive policies, we are left once again, with no other option than to suspend service to these communities.”

Currently, flights operate between Calgary and Medicine Hat once a week, and Calgary and Lloydminster twice a week.

The St. John’s to Halifax route runs three times weekly, and there are flights four times a week between London and Toronto.

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Flights between St. John’s and Halifax will be suspended as of March 21, while service between London and Toronto will be discontinued on March 22.

In Alberta, WestJet Link service from Calgary to Lloydminster will end as of March 19, and the Calgary to Medicine Hat route will be suspended on March 21.

WestJet

WestJet said in a statement that, due to these suspensions, it will be working with newly established third-party service providers in St. John’s and London, and directly with Pacific Coastal Airlines for affected WestJet Link operations in Lloydminster and Medicine Hat.

Operations are expected to be suspended until June 24, however, “[WestJet’s] ability to return to markets remains directly correlated to government policies and the prioritization of a domestic travel program,” said Sims.

Those whose travel plans are affected by the suspensions will be contacted directly regarding their options for transportation to and from these regions.