WestJet cancels Brandon-Toronto direct flights

WestJet is ending direct flights between Brandon and Toronto this winter, the City of Brandon said Sunday.

The service was introduced earlier thisyearas a trial run.WestJet offered four flights a week between Brandon and Toronto this summer and planned to offer the service all year beginning in late October, but the city says, due to "very sluggish" demand the company decided not to.

In July the airline admitteddemand for the flights had been"slower than what we were hoping for."

Passengers who have existing bookings for flights on the Brandon-Toronto route will be contacted by the company to make alternate arrangements through rerouting or refunding, said the city.

The city notedWestJet will continue to operate a daily, direct flight mid-day between Brandon and Calgary.

Beginning Oct. 23, the airline will expand service between the two western cities to include anearly morning departure flight and later day return three times a week.

Brandon Municipal Airport is currently being expanded and renovations are set to complete in 2017.

• WestJet says demand for its Brandon to Toronto flight 'soft'