WestJet is reducing its schedule once again by 20 per cent through to 31MAR, the airline announced on 07FEB. The airline previously announced schedule reductions for JAN and through to 28FEB 2022.
Impacted travellers will be notified of changes to their itineraries by email, the airline said. Guests and advisors are encouraged to use self-serve options before calling for assistance; and guests seeking support outside of the 72-hour travel window are able to schedule a call-back. The airline's flexible change and cancel guidelines and schedule change refund policies remain in place.
"For two years, WestJet has gone above and beyond to keep our guests safe throughout their travel journey," said Harry Taylor, Interim President & CEO, The WestJet Group. "Travel advisories, restrictions and testing requirements were meant to be temporary, yet our industry has now reached an impasse that is severely impacting the recovery of our airline and sector."
WestJet highlights that multiple PCR tests for asymptomatic fully vaccinated travellers is an ongoing barrier for air travel as "the most tested, yet most restricted consumer activity in Canada."
The airline continues to advocate for Canada to return to surveillance arrivals testing only, as well as the elimination of quarantine and isolation for travellers awaiting their results after returning to Canada. In addition, WestJet is calling on the federal government to outline a "roadmap for the recovery" of the travel and tourism industry that is based on "science and reflective of the current realities of the COVID-19 pandemic."
“Canada remains the only country among the G7 nations to still require mandatory pre-departure and on-arrival PCR testing,” continued Taylor.
“Countries across the globe are recognizing the importance of travel and tourism on economic recovery and we are witnessing them take measures to safely re-open their borders and make sensible adjustments to overall travel guidance and testing requirements. It is disappointing that Canada remains stagnant in its approach and continues to make travel inaccessible and punitive for Canadians and inbound tourists.”
