Westjet Changes

(Aired on January 25, 2010)

Who would have thought that WestJet, the airline people love to love, would be pulling its Kamloops to Vancouver flights later this spring, on the guise that they were only seasonal to begin with. And who would have thought that Air Canada, the airline people love to hate, would still be the one pulling the load and providing service.

WestJet's announcement is surprising, especially considering that Kamloops is one of the few airports in the country where air traffic has continued to increase. It doesn't make sense, although one can only assume that passenger numbers are such that the airline can't justify the flights. Maybe seat sales between the two competitors had something to do with it, I don't know. But Air Canada will once again have a monopoly on the Vancouver to Kamloops market. What that will do to fares and flights remains to be seen. WestJet says it will bring the Vancouver flights back in the fall to capitalize on the ski season. I guess we'll see.

WestJet will be flying to Edmonton from Kamloops later this spring. It is now telling us that is only a seasonal venture too. It's unfortunate, because many seasoned travellers like to book their holidays well in advance, and it's hard when you don't know if an airline will be flying or not. If I were making reservations for something into the future, I personally would take the more secure option, not knowing if WestJet will be there or not.

While I understand the business case involved here, and let's face it, if the traffic isn't there, you can't make the case for the flights, it still makes me wonder. Reliability of service is important, whether it's airline flights or anything else. WestJet's move flies in the face of all the figures we keep hearing about traffic in and out of Kamloops. It only makes it more difficult for air travellers to get from one place to another. And ultimately, that's bad for the city of Kamloops.