WestJet is axing transatlantic services out of Halifax, Vancouver, and Toronto for summer 2023. The decision comes as the carrier struggles with staff shortages, an issue that plagued the industry last year as well, and a move to refocus on WestJet's strong core markets in the west of Canada. Let's find out more about the impact of the cancelations.

Halifax gone

WestJet won't be returning to Halifax International Airport this summer as it cuts long-haul flights out of the city. This announcement won't come as a surprise to most, Simple Flying reported in late December 2022 that all non-Calgary long-haul flights have been axed come summer 2023. The carrier previously flew to London Gatwick, Dublin, Glasgow, and Paris from Halifax, but these routes won't make a return this year at least.

Along with Halifax, long-haul flights out of Toronto and Vancouver have been axed as well. None of the three cities have been served since the end of October with the closure of the last summer season. This year, all European routes will only operate from Calgary Airport and use the Boeing 787-9, saying goodbye to long-haul 737 MAX flights.

Read about WestJet's summer 2023 long-haul schedule here.

Another route saying farewell to WestJet will be Calgary-Amsterdam, which won't return after ending on March 24th. Beyond that, the long-haul route network out of Calgary looks stable for this summer as well, with London Gatwick, Heathrow, Paris CDG, Rome, and Tokyo among the routes on offer.

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Halifax hoping for a return in 2024

While there was no word on Toronto or Vancouver, WestJet noted that it will consider resuming transatlantic flights out of the Nova Scotia capital next year. The carrier said,

"Halifax remains an integral part of our network and we understand this is disappointing news for our guests and the local community. As we continue to responsibly balance our schedule alongside operational requirements, capacity constraints and the deployment of our aircraft across Canada, we are making these difficult decisions now to enable us to re-position our investments to best serve the province for years to come.”

WestJet pointed to staffing shortages and aircraft deployment as reasons for its scaled-back 2023 route map to Europe, a sentiment echoed by Halifax Airport officials in a statement to CBC News. The airport said,

"[We are] disappointed WestJet won't be back this summer ... but we understand they are dealing with capacity challenges not a lack of interest or support in serving this market."

Refocusing

In October, WestJet COO Director of Commercial Strategy Frank Satusky noted that "we can't be everything to everyone."This message was part of a broader strategy to refocus on controlling the market out of Canada's west, namely Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, and more cities. To do this would mean pulling out of unprofitable routes further east, allowing Air Canada to dominate those markets. With ULCCs breathing down its neck, WestJet's priority is to build a stable operation and not one that is trying to do it all.

What do you think about WestJet's summer network? Let us know in the comments.

Source: CBC News

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  WestJet

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  WS/WJA

  Airline Type:

  Full Service Carrier

  Hub(s):

  Calgary International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, Vancouver International Airport

  Year Founded:

  1994

  CEO:

  Alexis von Hoensbroech

  Country:

  Canada