WestJet cancels flights out of B.C. and Ontario due to winter storms | 24CA News
WestJet says it’s cancelling flights out of B.C. and Ontario as a consequence of winter storms forward of the busy vacation weekend.
In a press release on Thursday evening, the airline mentioned the cancellations will have an effect on 126 flights at 5 airports in B.C. and 140 flights at 5 airports in Ontario and Quebec.
WestJet mentioned it made the choice due to “prolonged and extreme weather events” throughout Canada.
“We sincerely apologize for the continued disruption many have or will experience and appreciate your continued patience and understanding,” Diederik Pen, WestJet’s chief operations officer, mentioned within the assertion.
“Our teams on the ground, in the air and behind the scenes are working tirelessly to recover our operations, while trying to limit further disruption to important holiday travel plans.”
In B.C., WestJet mentioned it has cancelled all flights arriving and departing from Vancouver International Airport beginning at 11:50 p.m. PT on Thursday till Friday late afternoon, relying on climate situations. Flights have additionally additionally been cancelled at Abbotsford International Airport, Victoria International Airport, Nanaimo Airport and Comox Airport.
Vancouver’s airport nonetheless hasn’t recovered from a blast of winter climate earlier this week, which has brought on a sequence response of flight delays and cancellations throughout Canada. The airport’s CEO says issues are enhancing, however not rapidly sufficient for some travellers.
A second vital winter storm system is forecast to comb Vancouver and the southern B.C. area on Thursday night.
In Ontario, WestJet mentioned it has cancelled all flights arriving and departing from Toronto’s Pearson International Airport on Friday, beginning at 9 a.m. ET on Friday till the tip of the day. The airline mentioned a “restart” is determined by climate situations by Saturday.
A significant winter storm is forecast to hit a lot of Ontario on Friday and Saturday.
Cancellations will have an effect on different Ontario and Quebec airports:
The service suspension will have an effect on different Ontario and Quebec airports as effectively, together with Ottawa International Airport, London International Airport, the Region of Waterloo International Airport and Montreal-Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport.
The airline mentioned the choice to cancel was made after it consulted airport authorities and NAV Canada. All travellers have been notified, it mentioned.
“The prolonged and extreme weather events that continue to impact multiple regions across Canada are unlike anything we’ve experienced,” Pen mentioned.
“The decision to stand down more flights is extremely difficult, but it is necessary, so that we can be best prepared to safely fly as many guests, with as little disruption as possible when the weather improves.”
