Less than three months after its inaugural flight from Comox, the ultra low cost carrier Flair has suspended its service at the Comox Valley Airport (YQQ).
Flair Airlines started flying return routes from Comox to Edmonton and Calgary twice per week, on March 29.
The service will end July 16.
B次元官网网址淔lair recently advised us that they are stopping service to Comox,B次元官网网址� said YQQ chief executive officer, Mike Atkins. B次元官网网址淟ast day of operations will be July 16.
B次元官网网址淭hey attributed it to challenges with aircraft deliveryB次元官网网址� and they have had to rework their schedule.B次元官网网址�
Atkins said that service will be looked at again in the new year.
Swoop, the other ultra low-cost airline, will maintain its twice-weekly service to Edmonton.
B次元官网网址淥bviously we are disappointed to see Flair disappear but over that, we are in a situation where we are still basically guessing at what passenger numbers are going to be, based on the speed of the recovery,B次元官网网址� said Atkins. B次元官网网址淲hat we are seeing now at the airport is that people are continuing to travel - those that have made plans - despite the challenges that are currently existing in the air travel industry, worldwide.
B次元官网网址淲e are continuing to see good numbers - approximately 75 per cent of our pre-pandemic levels. It seems to be holding at about that 75-80 per cent level, but obviously we wonB次元官网网址檛 know more until the middle of next month how July fared.B次元官网网址�
Atkins said that while disruptions at YQQ have been minimal, the local airport has not completely avoided travel issues that have been plaguing major airports.
B次元官网网址淲hat we have seen at the Comox Valley Airport are some schedule changes, some delayed flights and some delayed baggage on incoming flights,B次元官网网址� he said.
Air Canada changes
Air CanadaB次元官网网址檚 mid-day flight from Comox to Vancouver has been cancelled, until further notice.
B次元官网网址淔or Air Canada we have basically lost the mid-morning flight,B次元官网网址� said Atkins. B次元官网网址淲e used to be three flights a day to Vancouver; we are now down to two flights a day to Vancouver. (This will be in place) until the airline advises us differently, and I think right now their focus is very short-term. I think once they get their capacity issues sorted out, then potentially we will get some of those flights returning. For right now we have been advised that this will be for July and August.B次元官网网址�
WestJet changes
There has been only one WestJet change affecting local travel. A direct flight to TorontoB次元官网网址檚 Pearson Airport has been scrubbed, after only one trip.
B次元官网网址淚t came last weekend - it was a one and done kind of thing,B次元官网网址� said Atkins. B次元官网网址淭he week previously they cancelled it, then they ran it, and then they advised us they were going to be cancelling it for the rest of the summer.
B次元官网网址淭hat is all weB次元官网网址檝e seen from WestJet. As per normal we have outstanding connections to Calgary and Edmonton, and now with the link service that started last year to Vancouver as well.B次元官网网址�
Pacific Coastal changes
None to report.
Arrive two hours early
Atkins said for the most part, the Comox Valley Airport is running smoothly, with close to normal times for passengers to check in and get through security.
B次元官网网址淭here is a lot of information out there for passengers, and it gets confusing because if you are travelling through Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver or Calgary, I think the recommendation is to now get there three hours before your flight,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淥perations out of Comox are pretty much normal - a little bit more time, probably, because people are taking a little more time booking in, but we are still recommending no more than two hours ahead of your flight to get through.B次元官网网址�
For more informaion, visit
terry.farrell@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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