Central Mountain Air is joining Air Canada in temporarily suspending flights to and from Kamloops Airport.
The Smithers-based airline is suspending its thrice weekly flight from Kamloops to Prince George starting Feb. 3 until at least April 5. In a statement, it says the decision is due to the ‘crushing economic impact of the pandemic.’
“Devastating declines in travel and extended provincial health advisories against non-essential travel have necessitated a significant scaling back of our scheduled operations for the foreseeable future,” said Central Mountain Air CEO, Bob Cummings. “The federal government has been promising for almost a year that help is on the way to support these essential air services, but no such support has been received or clearly outlined.
“Our customers and the communities we serve are bearing the brunt of this inaction. In addition to supporting the local economies with the transport of essential workers, our airline and its dedicated staff fly customers to medical treatments and transport medical supplies, mail, and other vital cargo.”
Cummings says no other airline flies the routes that Central Mountain Air is suspending, noting it is why they continued to operate at a loss through last year – except for a temporary suspension in the spring. He says without direct government support to help maintain operations until demand returns, the airline cannot continue to operate.
“We also need the continued support of the communities we serve,” he added, asking people to contact their elected officials, Premier John Horgan, or Federal Transportation Minister, Omar Alghabra.
“With government support, we would be proud to continue to serve our customers and maintain crucial airline connectivity in British Columbia and Alberta until demand returns. If there is any chance to save vital air service to these communities, action must be urgently undertaken.”
Kamloops to Vancouver Flight Announced
On a more positive note, Central Mountain Air is also announcing a twice-weekly flight between Kamloops and Vancouver, which is set to start on April 5.
Managing Director at Kamloops Airport. Ed Ratuski, tells NL News he welcomes that flight, noting it is not a coincidence that Central Mountain Air announced a flight to Vancouver soon after Air Canada said it would temporarily suspend flights because of COVID-19
“If they see a need and are able to fill it and it makes economic sense for them in these market conditions that’s generally what they would be looking at, he said. “They would obviously be looking at whether or not the opportunity is there as we head towards April as well.”
“They’ve operated that route in the past, primarily in the summer months to augment the service into Vancouver. I believe it was on Friday evenings that they were operating the flight in and then returning.”
Ratuski says he knows people in Kamloops will be impacted without direct air service to Vancouver when Air Canada ends flights this Saturday.
“I do believe it is flying to the Vancouver Airport South Terminal which has convenient connections over to the main terminal. From the main terminal, you have all the connections into the city and other destinations beyond,” Ratuski said.
“With the recent announcements of service suspensions from Air Canada, we would welcome any support for essential travel down to the coast.”
City of Kamloops staff were directed to approach WestJet, Pacific Coastal Airlines, and Central Mountain Air to see if any of them could fill the gap in service to Vancouver.
Raturski previously told NL News he is hoping passenger volumes at YKA will be a lot closer to normal by this summer, though he notes it remains contingent on the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine as well as if travel restrictions are lifted by then.
Central Mountain Air Route Changes
Kamloops to Prince George – Suspended between Feb. 3 to April 5 at the earliest
Fort Nelson to Prince George – Suspended between Feb. 3 to May 3 at the earliest
Edmonton to High Level – Suspended between Feb. 3 to May 3 at the earliest
