Canadian North scraps plans to fly to Clyde River, Nunavut

Canadian North is scrapping plans to fly to Clyde River, Nunavut.

Late last year, the airline revealedplans to add a route to Clyde River three times a week, after its codeshare agreement with First Air ends on May 16. But in a news release this week, the airline said it no longer thinks the route is viable.

Kelly Lewis, a spokesperson for Canadian North, said it was a difficult decision made over months, but it was ultimately necessary.

"We faced a very small number of confirmed passenger bookings for Clyde River. The number wasn't growing," he told CBC.

"Another major factor is we don't have any sizeable cargo contracts in Clyde, so we were going to be carrying very little freight going into there."

Lewis said they also had trouble hiring people to staff their operation.

"We just couldn't get enough people in such a short time to start operating."

In the news release, the airline said it will contact customers who are booked to fly to or from Clyde River after May 17. The airline says it will confirm their flight onanother air carrier.

Lewis says Canadian North is still moving ahead with plans to add routes or expand service to Pangnirtung, Qikiqtarjuaq,Pond Inlet andKugluktuk. Its new schedule will launch on May 17.