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In an action attributed to the strict restrictions implemented by Ottawa, Montreal-based airline Air Transat is suspending all flights on routes from Toronto and few flights from Montreal for the rest of the winter travel season.
Air Transat commenced the suspension of flights on Thursday (Jan 28) and will remain into force until April 30, 2021, according to Ms. Debbie Cabana, spokeswoman for Transat A.T. Inc.
“Continued travel restrictions and the numerous measures imposed by the federal government, including the requirement to present a negative COVID-19 test and to quarantine upon return to Canada, have had a significant impact on our bookings,” she said.
Montreal-based airline has suspended all flight on routes from Toronto to Cancun in Mexico, Holguin and Varadero in Cuba, Lisbon and Porto in Portugal, Paris in France, Port-au-Prince in Haiti, and Punta Cana and Puerto Plata in Dominican Republic.
In addition these flights, Air Transat also suspending flights on routes from Montreal to Mexico, Puerto Vallarta and Varadero. However, the carrier will continue to serve from Montreal to six international destinations.
Air Transat has informed travel agents about the flight suspension in a memo on Wednesday (Jan 27). In accordance with the memo, passengers who made the payment for their flight or holiday package through cash or credit card will be able to receive a full refund. Passengers who are currently at their destination will be rebooked for their flight back to Canada.
The flight suspension indicates that the expected resumption in air travel demand in 2021 may take place later this year, which is later than many airlines hope, even though the COVID-19 vaccine is being rolled out on a national basis.
The Federal Government has been cracking down on overseas travel over the past few weeks, introducing a new requirement in January that all travelers who are seeking to enter into Canada require providing proof of a negative result of the COVID-19 test conducted 72 hours prior to their scheduled departure time.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that the federal government is considering further restrictions as more infectious strains of the COVID-19 are reported in Canada from abroad.
Last weekend, he repeated his call for Canadians to cancel every vacation they booked and warned that people travelling abroad may experience difficulties in returning to Canada.
