There’s about to be less competition in the lucrative Toronto-Montreal flight corridor.
In a surprising move, WestJet plans to temporarily halt flights between Canada’s two biggest cities, apparently as of October 29.
WestJet spokesperson Madison Kruger told CTV News that the route will return in April of next year.
"The WestJet Group remains extremely committed to Eastern Canada," she told the network in an email.
Open Jaw checked the WestJet website and found flights could only be booked until October 28, and that no flights were available again until April 28, 2024.
In her note to CTV, Kruger said WestJet is increasing its presence in eastern Canada with more non-stop flights to western Canada, "as well as providing more affordable leisure and sun travel opportunities across Canada."
Air Canada earlier this year suspended some of its western Canada flights, while WestJet has pulled back on some Eastern Canada service.
Aviation expert John Gradek told CTV that Air Canada and WestJet have gradually cut services to battle against low-fare airlines, such as Flair and Lynx, from taking customers. He also suggested that a pilot shortage and the slow delivery of new planes is partly behind the WestJet move.
Consultant and AirTrav President Robert Kokonis told Open Jaw that Toronto-Montreal is one of the top routes in the country, and that he has no doubt WestJet will re-instate the route at some point.
Kokonis said a pilot shortage could be an issue, but that there are several other matters the company is grappling with.
"They have a lot of marbles on the table; there's their western pivot, the Swoop integration, they're progressively moving on the Sunwing integration. On top of that they have orders for new Boeing Max planes.
"I think they just have to focus on what's most important," he said. "Toronto-Montreal is a core business route, and if you want to play that game you need 12-15 lights a day. So you see WestJet pivoting to more leisure travel in the east.
"I think consumers will find more leisure growth from WestJet in the eat and more growth to sun destinations, thanks to the Sunwing deal. I believe for sure they'll be back (on the Toronto-Montreal route). Will they have 12 a day? Likely no."
