More flights suspended at Charlottetown airport because of COVID-19

More suspensions toflights travelling to and from Prince Edward Island were announcedFriday as the airline industry across Canada deals with the effects ofCOVID-19.

Air Canada announced the service between Charlottetown and Halifax will be suspended fromApril 6until June 1, 2020.

Flight service between Toronto and Charlottetown has been suspended until June 1 as well.

A spokesperson with Air Canada told CBC News the flights have been reduced because of "low demand."

Starting on Monday, Air Canada will only operateone daily flight between Charlottetown and Montreal.

WestJet continues to operate a direct flight between Charlottetown and Toronto three days a week.

Passenger travel down 90 per cent

Doug Newson,CEO of the Charlottetown Airport Authority, said the airportis very quiet, with passenger travel down by about90 per cent.

"A little over a month ago we were looking at terminal expansions and challenges this summer in terms of how we were going to get people through the airport we were looking at a banner year for the Charlottetown Airport Authority and the tourism industry," he said.

"It feels like overnight that has done a 180. It's certainly stressful times, but we're not alone in this obviously."

He saidthe pandemic will take a financial toll on the airport, ranging in themillions of dollars. Newson said last April there was an average of up to 750 passengers coming through the terminal a day.

"Over the past week, we've had about 75," he said.

The federal government has announced help so far by waivingrent for airports that pay Transport Canada.

But Newson said those payments are based onrevenue andmay mean onlyabout $5,000 in savings for the Charlottetown airport.

The airport plans to defer capital projects and will look at other ways to cut costs.

Newson said it is hard to predict the future in these unprecedented times but understands people, businesses and industries are impacted all over.

He said some of the smaller airports have already seen cancellations of allflights. If the pandemic continues for too long, Newson said, that could happen in Charlottetown as well.

COVID-19: What you need to know

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Common symptoms include:

• Fever.
• Cough.
• Tiredness.

But more serious symptoms can develop, including difficulty breathing and pneumonia, which can lead to death.

Health Canada has built aself-assessment tool.

What should I do if I feel sick?

Isolate yourself and call 811. Do not visit an emergency room or urgent care centre to get tested. A health professional at 811 will give you advice and instructions.

How can I protect myself?

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

• Clean regularly touched surfaces regularly.

• Practisephysical distancing.

More detailed information on the outbreak is available on thefederal government's website.

More COVID-19 stories from CBC P.E.I.