QUEBEC CITY — Sunwing Airlines pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), gathered at Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) yesterday to call on WestJet to reverse its decision to close the YQB base, citing the severe economic and cultural impact it will have on the community.

“WestJet purchased Sunwing with the intention of expanding services in eastern Canada and increasing vacation offerings from regional hubs,” said Capt. Mark Taylor, chair of the Sunwing ALPA Master Executive Council.

“Closing or relocating the YQB base undermines this corporate strategy and the company’s own stated goals. WestJet must understand the economic impact closing this base will have throughout the Quebec City region,” he said.

“Keeping the Quebec City base open maintains a certain expectation of service level as Sunwing transitions to WestJet,” Taylor added. “Having local crews means quicker responses in cases of mechanical issues, crew illness, or staffing shortage problems, which is beneficial for the airline.”

No official date has been released for the closure, but WestJet has stated it will be in the spring of 2025.