Air Canada: Suspension of flights from Calgary

To the point Air Canada suspends flights between Calgary and six destinations from October 30, 2023. Discover the reasons behind this decision.

Air Canada suspends flights to six destinations Context What will remain

Reasons for suspension Fleet constraints and pilot shortage Concentration on major hubs

Competition with WestJet Bottom Line

Air Canada suspends flights to six destinations

Context

According to Air Canada’s announcement, the company will suspend non-stop flights between Calgary and six destinations:

Ottawa
Halifax
Frankfurt
Cancun
Honolulu
Los Angeles

These changes will take effect from October 30, 2023.

This will impact all traveller profiles: business and frequent flyers (Frankfurt), leisure flights (Cancun, Honolulu, Los Angeles) and even major domestic flights (Ottawa, Halifax).

From October 30, 2023, travellers to these destinations must add a connection in Vancouver, Toronto or Montreal.

What will remain

New York Newark (EWR) and London Heathrow (LHR) are the only destinations maintained outside Canada. On the latter, Air Canada will still offer almost 10,000 seats a week. It’s a safe bet that Air Canada will maintain service to London Heathrow from Calgary to avoid losing valuable flight slots at the London hub.

However, withdrawing these six destinations remains a significant issue for Air Canada travellers departing from Calgary.

Here is the status of Air Canada flights from Calgary on Flight Connections BEFORE the withdrawal of these services:

Air Canada – Calgary – Flightconnections

And a simulation via Great Circle Mapper AFTER the removal of these services:

Reasons for suspension

Fleet constraints and pilot shortage

First of all, the airline mentioned that its fleet remains lower than it was in 2019, i.e. before the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is also facing a shortage of pilots, which has impacted its regional network.

Concentration on major hubs

The second factor is the airline’s priority to concentrate its resources on its leading global hubs in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.

These are Air Canada’s main drivers of revenue and profitability, along with flights to the USA, Europe, Asia, South America and India.

Competition with WestJet

In Calgary’s competitive market, Air Canada’s decision can also be seen as a way of defending itself against increased competition. As the airline withdraws flights from Calgary, it will be interesting to see how WestJet, Canada’s other major airline – with its main hub in Calgary – reacts to this move.

All the more so as WestJet has just this year finalized the purchase of Sunwing, highly prized for all-inclusive leisure destinations.

Here are the flights currently available with WestJet from Calgary:

Bottom Line

Air Canada’s decision to suspend service to Cancun, Ottawa, Halifax, Frankfurt, Honolulu and Los Angeles from Calgary as of October 30, 2023, will turn travel plans upside down for Calgary residents and frequent flyers.

If you have flights to these destinations, Air Canada will offer you a schedule change (which you may or may not accept).