CALGARY — WestJet has announced a two-week extension to the cancellation of its transborder and international flights, to May 4.

On March 17 WestJet had announced a 30-day suspension of all transborder and international flights in the wake of back-to-back announcements from the federal government advising Canadians to avoid all non-essential travel and to immediately return to Canada if abroad.

WestJet has now extended that date by two weeks. WestJet, along with Air Canada, Sunwing and Transat, has also had to implement layoffs as the domestic and international travel and tourism industries all but come to a complete halt amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

“As the crisis continues, we have now updated our international and transborder schedule to temporarily remove flying through May 4, 2020. For our guests who have booked their travel after April 22 through May 4, we are proactively notifying you of your travel options,” says WestJet.

The airline has also updated the start dates for several of its seasonal international routes. Toronto-Barcelona flights are projected to start June 5. Calgary-Rome flights start June 4. Meanwhile the Halifax-Manchester route has been cancelled for summer 2020. WestJet says it will reaccommodate passengers on the Halifax-London Gatwick flights.

WestJet’s domestic schedule has also been updated through May 4. Full details can be found here.

“We understand the uncertainty our guests, WestJetters and partners face, and we thank them for their continued patience,” says the airline.