THUNDER BAY — Air Canada will eliminate direct flights between Thunder Bay and Winnipeg at the end of March.
The airline says it was a difficult decision to make, but the route "did not perform at a level that would make commercial sense to continue operating."
Spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick told Tbnewswatch Air Canada considered passenger demand on the route, aircraft availability and overall profitability.
The last flight will take place March 30, 2019.
Fitzpatrick said customers booked on flights after that date will be contacted by Air Canada or their travel agent about options including alternate travel or a refund.
Thunder Bay Airport CEO Ed Schmidtke said despite the loss of the Winnipeg service, local westbound travellers remain well-served by WestJet which operates two flights daily "departing at very competitive times and good, tight connections to the major western domestic markets."
"We may be missing a carrier but there are still 156 seats a day," Schmidtke said.
Bearskin Airlines also flies between Thunder Bay and Winnipeg..
Having fewer Air Canada flights means the airport will lose some of the revenue it receives from the fees it charges airlines. Schmidtke, however, said the airport has a diversified revenue base, so he considers the impact on its budget to be "minor."
Earlier this month, Air Canada announced it was bringing jet service back to Thunder Bay by flying Air Canada Rouge AIrbus A319 aircraft between Thunder Bay and Toronto.
Starting May 1, three daily flights will replace the current six daily flights which use Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft.
The airline said that despite the reduced frequency, the total number of available seats on the route to the east will increase from 390 to 408 daily because the A319 is a much larger plane.
