TORONTO — Both Air Canada and WestJet have special fare offerings for passengers impacted by the shutdown of Lynx Air.
Lynx Air’s last day of operations was Feb. 25.
As reported on Feb. 23, the ultra low-cost carrier announced it was shutting down with just three days notice. “The compounding financial pressures associated with inflation, fuel costs, exchange rates, cost of capital, regulatory costs and competitive tension in the Canadian market have ultimately proven too steep a mountain for our organization to overcome,” said the airline. “It is with a heavy heart that we announce Lynx Air’s departure from the skies.”
Information about flights and refunds can be found in a FAQ section on Lynx’s site.
TICO has also posted information here.
AIR CANADA INFO
Special capped Air Canada fares were available for purchase before Feb. 26, for Lynx Air customers affected by the shutdown.
Air Canada said it cannot honour Lynx Air tickets and Lynx Air customers are advised to consult the Canadian Transportation Agency website.
Air Canada is also planning to add incremental capacity of more than 6,000 seats on Lynx routes from Toronto and Montreal to Cancun, Fort Myers, Orlando, Tampa. Phoenix and Las Vegas between now and March 19. “However, with the busy winter travel holiday period underway, flights are already relatively full and the carrier’s ability to increase capacity further is limited,” says Air Canada.
WESTJET INFO
WestJet also said it is committed to assisting passengers impacted by Lynx’s shutdown.
WestJet reached out to Travelweek, to share that WestJet’s travel agent resource site offers the most relevant information for WestJet’s travel trade partners.
Here’s that info …
All travel
- 25% discount
- Use discount code WST89 (for travel agent-facilitated bookings only)
- Eligible fare bundles: Economy cabin fares
- Eligible routes: Nonstop WestJet routes previously served by Lynx
- Travel dates: February 23, 2024 – October 26, 2024
- Book by date: February 29, 2024
Canadian repatriation for transborder and sun
- Fares are capped at $250 plus taxes and fees*
- Eligible fare bundles: Economy cabin fares
- Eligible routes: Northbound nonstop transborder and sun WestJet routes previously served by Lynx
- Travel by: February 29, 2024
- Book before: February 29, 2024
Domestic travel
- Fares will not exceed $500 plus taxes and fees*
- Eligible fare bundles: Economy cabin fares
- Eligible routes: Domestic nonstop WestJet routes previously served by Lynx
- Travel by: February 29, 2024
- Book before: February 29, 2024
WestJet said it has managed pricing to ensure fares reflect a reduction from what would typically be charged.
Important for agents to note (*), WestJet says the capped fares are only available on nonstop routes previously served by Lynx and that meet the criteria above.
“We are communicating closely with government officials and supporting organizations that are also working to address the needs of those impacted,” says WestJet.
Details including the list of destinations are posted at WestJet’s travel agent site here.
