Air Canada slashing routes out of Calgary in face of ongoing pilot shortage

Air Canada is eliminating six major routes out of Calgary this winter, partly due to an industry-wide pilot shortage that is threatening its “overall operational stability” of the country-wide airline.

The airline confirmed Wednesday it will no longer offer non-stop flights from Calgary to Ottawa, Halifax, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Cancun, or Frankfurt as of the end of October.

“The industry-wide shortage of regional pilots is expected to have a prolonged impact on Air Canada’s regional network,” Air Canada spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick said in an email to CityNews.

“This has led to a review of the network schedule to ensure resources are deployed most efficiently and productively against these current, ongoing industry considerations.”

He says Air Canada is facing pressure due to the ongoing pilot shortage as well as supply chain challenges that are making it more difficult for the airline to obtain parts and complete airplane maintenance on time.

Meanwhile, he adds Air Canada remains “fully committed” to Calgary and the Western Canadian market and will offer nearly 10,000 seats weekly from Calgary this winter. Direct service will continue to London-Heathrow from Calgary, as well as other destinations throughout Canada and the U.S.

Since August, Air Canada has reduced its planned winter flying network-wide by 4.6 per cent and reduced the amount of its previously planned winter seat capacity by two per cent.

Fitzpatrick says impacted customers will be offered alternate travel options, including re-routing over other airports or a full refund.

“No layoffs are expected as a result of these changes,” he said.

WestJet spokesperson Madison Kruger did not say if the airline would add more flights out of Calgary but that the city remains central to its “growth strategy.”

“Through the ongoing expansion and maintenance of key routes domestically along with new transborder and international connections, WestJet is unwavering in our commitment to ensure Calgary remains the most connected city in North America with under two million residents,” WestJet spokesperson Madison Kruger said in an email.

“We continue to monitor the global pilot shortage closely and have built our network and schedule responsibly in line with our operational capacity to meet the anticipated demand of our guests.”

She was not able to provide any network or schedule updates at this time.

-With files from Todd Kaufman