WestJet is sharply reducing services to the Atlantic Canada region.
It is indefinitely suspending more than 100 weekly flights from 2 November.
It is pulling out of Moncton, Fredericton, Sydney and Charlottetown and making significant cuts in services to Halifax and St. John’s.
It represents a 80% decline in seat capacity from the Atlantic region.
WestJet will also suspend operations to Quebec City.
"It has become increasingly unviable to serve these markets. Since the pandemic’s beginning, we have worked to keep essential air service to all of our domestic airports, however, demand for travel is being severely limited by restrictive policies," said Ed Sims, WestJet CEO.
It plans to reinstate most or all of the routes but a return to service date is unknown at this time.
"Our intent is to return as soon as it becomes economically viable to do so," Sims added.
Customers with bookings for the impacted services will be contacted directly and offered alternative options.
WestJet said it plans to lay off an additional 100 corporate and operational support employees as ‘prospects for any near-term recovery continue to fade.’
Written by Ray Montgomery, US Editor
