Air Canada on Tuesday said it will suspend service on 17 routes to the U.S. and other international destinations until at least April 30 as the airline grapples with heavy travel restrictions imposed to help curb the spread of new coronavirus strain.
The airline also temporarily cutting jobs among unionized workers and an unspecified number of management positions.
“We are further reducing our transborder and international commercial schedule as a result of COVID-19,” a spokesperson for Air Canada said Tuesday afternoon. “Affected customers with bookings will be contacted with options, including alternate routings.”
Impacted Routes Across The U.S. Include:
Toronto to:
- Fort Myers (Feb. 14)
- Boston (Feb. 16)
- Washington-Reagan (Feb. 17)
- Denver (Feb. 17) and
- New York LaGuardia Airport (Feb. 17)
Montreal to:
- Boston (Feb. 17)
- New York LaGuardia Airport (Feb. 17)
- Vancouver to: Seattle (Feb 16)
Other International Flights Affected Include:
Toronto to:
- Bogotá (Feb. 16)
- Dublin (Feb. 12)
- Dubai (start-up postponed)
- São Paulo (Feb. 16)
- Hong Kong (start-up postponed)
- Tel Aviv (continued suspension)
Montreal to:
- Bogotá (Feb. 13)
Vancouver to:
- London, England (Feb. 14)
- Tokyo-Narita, Japan (Feb. 15)
According to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, non-essential travel accounts for roughly 15 per cent of travellers who are coming back into Canada by plane, many of whom are snowbirds — Canadians who regularly travel to the U.S. and overseas for the winter.
Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam said the “simplest rule of thumb” is to restrict non-essential activities “as much as possible,” even if that means doling out hefty fines.
At the end of January, Canadian airlines agreed to suspend all flights to Mexico and the Caribbean until April 30, at the request of the federal government.
Last week Air Canada announced that it would temporarily cease operations at Air Canada Rouge, which primarily operates the company’s flights to Mexico and the Caribbean. The service cuts included temporary layoffs of around 80 employees.
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