WestJet cancels summer flights between Halifax and Europe
WestJet has suspended its transatlantic service between Halifax and Europe for summer 2023.
The airline says the decision to suspend transatlantic flights from a number of Canadian cities is a response to “capacity constraints impacting the aviation ecosystem.”
In a statement Monday, the executive vice-president and chief commercial officer of the WestJet group said Halifax “remains an integral part” of the airline’s network.
“As we continue to responsibly balance our schedule alongside operational requirements, capacity constraints and the deployment of our aircraft across Canada, we are making these difficult decisions now to enable us to re-position our investments to best serve the province for years to come,” said John Weatherill.
WestJet previously offered direct flights to London Gatwick, Dublin, Glasgow and Paris.
WestJet says tickets for the routes have not been available for sale for summer 2023.
The airline has indicated the suspension of transatlantic service is temporary and the decision will be re-evaluated in 2024.
“WestJet’s focus remains on positioning its network to meet the travel demands of Canadians, while strengthening its footprint across Eastern Canada through sun and leisure travel ..." said the airline.
WestJet is set to announce its summer schedule “in the coming weeks,” according to the release, noting it will increase service between Halifax and western Canada.
Tiffany Chase, a spokesperson with Halifax Stanfield International Airport, says it wasn't a surprise when the airport received word last week that the European services with WestJet would not be operating.
"But it at least provides us with a confirmation and certainty as to what their plans are for 2023," said Chase.
Chase says the Halifax airport does still have nonstop European services available.
"So, passengers can still travel everyday actually, year round, on Air Canada's service to London Heathrow, and then for this summer, we have confirmation that both Condor Airlines and Eurowings Discover will operate Halifax and Frankfurt services nonstop," she said. "And they both operated in summer 2022 as well and reported that those routes operated quite successfully."
According to Chase, the Halifax airport is in discussions with other airlines about what's possible in this region.
"But it's unlikely that will be filled in 2023 unfortunately, but certainly, any opportunity that we have as an airport authority to attract other airlines here, we are doing that," said Chase.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Disability Benefit needs to be safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Apple unveils new iPad Pro with 'outrageously powerful' AI-powered chip
Apple is hoping its latest iPad lineup will breathe new life into its sluggish tablet market. In a pre-recorded live streamed event from its Cupertino, California headquarters, the company introduced the latest versions of its iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets, and an all-new Apple Pencil Pro.
Katy Perry's mom was fooled by AI images of the singer at the Met Gala
Katy Perry did not attend the Met Gala on Monday, but some of the singer’s fans – and even her mom – thought she did.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.