CALGARY — WestJet has announced it will temporarily suspend operations to St. John’s, NL, London, ON, and Lloydminster and Medicine Hat, AB, effective March 19 through June 24, 2021.

“We have continued to operate in the face of uncertainty as domestic and international travel restrictions and quarantines have caused demand to plummet,” said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO.

“Unfortunately, with new and increasingly restrictive policies, we are left once again, with no other option than to suspend service to these communities.”

Flights between St. John’s and Halifax will be suspended as of March 21, while service between London, ON, and Toronto will cease on March 22.

WestJet Link service from Calgary to Lloydminster will end on March 19, and Calgary to Medicine Hat discontinued as of March 21.

“Our ability to return to markets remains directly correlated to government policies and the prioritization of a domestic travel program,” said Sims. “As we look ahead to contributing to the economic recovery of Canada, the relationship between testing and quarantine must evolve based on data and science.”

In October 2020 WestJet announced it was indefinitely suspending operations to 4 Atlantic Canada gateways – Moncton, Fredericton, Sydney and Charlottetown – and significantly reducing service to 2 more, Halifax and St. John’s, amid the sharp downturn in travel as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Flights to Quebec City were also discontinued.

As a result of the suspensions announced today, WestJet says it will be working with newly established third-party service providers in St. John’s and London, ON, and directly with Pacific Coastal Airlines for affected WestJet Link operations in Lloydminster and Medicine Hat.

WestJet continues to operate at more than a 90% reduction year over year. The airlines says passengers impacted will be contacted directly regarding their options for travel to and from the regions. Service is set to resume to all communities as of June 24, 2021.

Temporary Route Suspensions: