INDUSTRY IMPASSE: WestJet wants re-opening timeline

Calling the disruption to its flight network “avoidable,” WestJet has cancelled 20 percent of its flights in March, extending schedule cuts from February amid ongoing COVID-19 restrictions and uncertainty that continue to drain demand. At the same the Calgary-based carrier is urging the federal government to “present a path forward” that once again makes travel accessible and affordable for Canadians.

And one, says WestJet CEO Harry Taylor, “that is in line with our global counterparts (and) reflective of current data…”

Taylor says travel advisories, restrictions and testing requirements were meant to be temporary, “yet our industry has now reached an impasse that is severely impacting the recovery of our airline and sector.”

He adds, “It is disappointing that Canada remains stagnant in its approach and continues to make travel inaccessible and punitive for Canadians and inbound tourists.”

WestJet is calling for periodic testing upon arrival only, rather than mandatory molecular testing before takeoff and after landing for fully vaccinated international passengers.

The Calgary-based company also demanded an end to quarantines for travellers awaiting results when they return from abroad.

Canada remains the only G7 country to require pre-departure and on-arrival molecular testing, Taylor noted, and said the federal government must outline a viable roadmap for travel and tourism recovery.

Since early November, WestJet and budget subsidiary Swoop have cancelled 11,285 trips for March, or 48%. Air Canada has scrapped 16,617 or 41% since mid-October, according to flight data firm Cirium.

More cuts may be enroute across airlines, as passengers hold off on ticket purchases until closer to the departure date to ensure pandemic measures don’t mar their travel plans. If the bookings ultimately come through, the flight schedule may hold steady, but if they don’t then even fewer planes will leave the tarmac than currently slated.

“Nowadays many more people are making even their leisure travel decisions at the last minute, because the world is a very fluid place right now and people are finding it difficult to plan months in advance with changing restrictions and changing rules,” said David Huttner, a London-based aviation expert.

WestJet maintains that with duplicative PCR testing required for asymptomatic fully vaccinated travellers, air travel continues to be the most tested, yet most restricted consumer activity in Canada.

“Countries across the globe are recognizing the importance of travel and tourism on economic recovery and we are witnessing them take measures to safely re-open their borders and make sensible adjustments to overall travel guidance and testing requirements,” says Taylor.

In line with previously announced schedule reductions, WestJet says impacted travellers will be proactively notified of changes to their itineraries by email. Guests are encouraged to utilize self-serve options before calling for assistance; guests seeking support outside of the 72-hour travel window are able to schedule a call-back. Flexible change and cancel guidelines and schedule change refund policies remain in place.