Travel Industry News & Views for Canadian Travel Agents
WestJet’s decision to reduce its FEB schedule by 20 per cent is the result of Omicron affecting its staffing levels, as well as “the prolonged impact of government barriers on our business.”
Transat is cancelling 30 per cent of its winter flights, say new reports, as the Omicron variant continues to impact Canadian airlines.
WestJet is cancelling 15 per cent of its scheduled flights in JAN as COVID sweeps through staff. Flair says it expects to cancel flights too, and other airlines may follow suit.
WestJet returned to the Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands on 16DEC, with a flight from YYZ to GCM, with flights operating once weekly.
Canadians looking to travel over the holidays are facing tough choices, with a mess of airline, insurance, and government policies to navigate through, as well as the looming threat of the Omicron variant.
“Hearing Canadians’ wishes, we knew we could do something meaningful given how important travel is to Canadians from coast-to-coast,” said Richard Bartrem, WestJet VP of Brand, Communications and Community Investment.
WestJet’s new YYC-LHR route will begin on 26MAR, with flights operating four times weekly on the airline’s 787 Dreamliner.
“It’s a setback for sure, but with all the government restrictions in place and high vaccination rates, it isn’t a major concern at this time”, said Brian Robertson, President, Canada West, Direct Travel.
The CLO is a newly created role for the airline, responsible for the execution of growing WestJet’s loyalty program, products, services and partnerships.
The carrier is now providing guests with approved testing locations across the country as well as self-administered testing options for flights on WestJet and Swoop.