Air Canada Kamloops-to-Calgary flights suspended as of Sunday; WestJet adds capacity to compensate

KAMLOOPS — Air Canada Express is suspending its non-stop flight schedule from Kamloops to Calgary as of this weekend.

Kamloops Airport Manager Ed Ratuski says the airport was informed of the change in December. The last Kamloops-to-Calgary flight will be offered Sunday (Jan. 15).

Ratuski says the airport has been led to believe the change is temporary.

“We’re viewing it as a temporary suspension, just from our discussions with Air Canada,” Ratuski told CFJC Today. “The airlines are still regrouping after COVID. The market is there to support it.”

Travelers aiming to get to Calgary with Air Canada will now stop in Vancouver first. Direct flights from Kamloops to Calgary are still offered by WestJet.

Ratuski says WestJet has stepped up to offer additional capacity on their Calgary schedule.

“One of the things that we’re trying to do is work with the airlines to make sure that the markets stay served,” he said. “In this case, WestJet has added frequencies (to Calgary) and Air Canada is also adding frequencies to Vancouver.”

“In terms of seats available out of Kamloops to both of those destinations, it really was a wash in terms of the number of seats available for passengers flying in and out of Kamloops.”

In addition to Kamloops, Air Canada is also suspending non-stop routes from Calgary to Saskatoon, Regina, Yellowknife, Victoria and Nanaimo.