How Air Canada flight cutbacks will affect Maritime travellers, airports
Air Canada is making significant reductions to flights in response to the demand for air travel.
Several flights in and out of Atlantic Canada have been cancelled for July and August to reduce flying at peak times. The reductions are an attempt to improve customer service through fewer flights.
An early morning departure from Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport to Montreal and a late arrival from Montreal to Moncton are among July's cancellations.
Courtney Burns, the president and CEO of the Greater Moncton International Airport Authority, said from a traveller's perspective, what it's taking off the table for July is that traveller who is trying to get to Montreal and back on the same day.
"So a lot of business travellers for example who do that early morning flight and come back in the evening, that's off the table unfortunately for the month," said Burns.
Losing the early morning flight will have a big impact on Jason Bowie who travels to Ontario three weeks out of four each month for business. He needs that early flight to Montreal to connect with Ottawa.
"I had a flight to Ottawa booked for the 19th of July," said Bowie about a three-day trip later this month.
"I get an arbitrary email from Air Canada and they say, 'Oh, we're going to move your flight. We've rebooked you on a flight five hours later. We're going to bring you back the day you come back five hours earlier.' So, I'm missing the entire day going there and the entire day going back."
In an email to CTV News, Air Canada said flights to and from travel hubs in Montreal and Toronto have also been reduced in Deer Lake, Saint John, Fredericton, Halifax and Charlottetown.
Doug Newson, the CEO of the Charlottetown Airport Authority, told CTV News in an email;
“Airlines reducing capacity in our peak summer season is not something we ever want to see. There will be a revenue impact as well as reductions in overall seat capacity and options for travellers, but we still expect to see July and August numbers at, or near, 2019 levels,“ said Newson.
Losing two flights, even for a month, is a disappointment to Burns.
"Now more than ever, people want to get back to travel, connecting with friends and family, having an in-person handshake with a prospective client," said Burns.
"It's disappointing to see the disruption that's happening in the aviation industry as we rebound. I think everyone knew this summer would be busy and recovery would come, it's just picked up way faster than anyone was ready for."
Burns said she's optimistic those cancelled flights will only be for a month and she's been reassured by Air Canada that is the case.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
NEW Life got in the way of one woman's reunion with her father, but a DNA test gained her a family
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec Health Department reports 28 cases of eye damage linked to solar eclipse
Quebec's Health Department says it has received 28 reports of eye damage related to the April 8 total solar eclipse that passed over southern parts of the province.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.