WestJet's Fort McMurray to Toronto route cancellation 'disappointing'

The Fort McMurrayAirport Authority says it's "disappointed"WestJetAirlines plans to endits daily Fort McMurray to Toronto route in the fall.

A WestJet spokesperson said that after Oct. 28, the airlinewill no longer offer the non-stop flight from the northern Alberta city to Toronto because of a drop in bookingsand the slow recovery of Alberta's economy.

Passengers who have tickets booked for after that date will be rescheduled or refunded.

"Part of this is to be attributed to the economic changes that have happened in Alberta,"WestJet's spokespersonLauren Stewart said. "Ultimately it comes down to consumer demand. We just weren't seeing strong enough demand on this route.

"We appreciate and understand this is unfortunate news for the community."

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The dailyflight departedFort McMurray at 12:25 a.m. and arrived in Toronto at 6 a.m. ET.

The Calgary-based airline has operated the service intermittently since 2009, and it will continue to offer11 daily flightsfrom FortMcMurrayto its Calgary and Edmonton hubs.

The route reduction was one ofmany announced by Canada's second largest airline onWednesday.

'Definitelyconcerning'

The cancellationis a blow to the Fort McMurrayAirport Authority and its aim ofattracting passengers who drive to Edmonton or Calgary instead of using the local airport.

Statistics show the number of total annual passengers at the airport have declined from more than 1.3 million in 2014 to 713,000 in 2017.

In 2017, both WestJetand Air Canada also ended their direct flights to Vancouver.

"The Fort McMurray Airport Authority is disappointed in this decision by WestJet," CEO Roelof-Jan Steenstrasaidin a statement. "We are committed to working with our airline partners to provide new routes that meet the demands of our market and provide our passengers with an excellent travel experience."

Bryce Kumka, president of the Fort McMurrayChamber of Commerce, saidWestJet's decision to pull its Toronto route is "definitely concerning."

He added the airline supported the community after the wildfire and its decision to cut the Toronto service "wasn't done lightly."

'I am going to miss it'

Passengers moving through the local airport Thursday said they're disappointedto have fewer options.

Natalie Macdonald said she depends on the Toronto route to visit family in Atlantic Canada.

"I am going to miss it for twice a year when I go to Newfoundland," Macdonaldsaid.

Macdonald was surprised to learn the route was being cancelled because it was usually full when sheflew.

Andrew Tebbutt, who was headed to British Columbia, said heunderstands WestJet'sdecisionbecause he's been on flights withempty seats.

"Just the downturn in the economy. Less people flying," Tebbutt said.

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In the meantime, the airport authority encourages passengers to usewell-established flight connections with Edmonton and Calgary.

Air Canada, the authority said, still maintains a daily flight to Toronto.

Connect with David Thurton, CBC'sFort McMurraycorrespondent, onFacebook,Twitter,LinkedInor email him atdavid.thurton@cbc.ca