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The Omicron variant continues to hammer WestJet as it announced further flight consolidations and cancellations through the end of March.
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This is the second extension to departure changes for the Calgary-based airline since it first announced them in late December, and is expected to impact 20% of flights over the next seven weeks. .
According to WestJet’s daily operations update, as of February 4, there were 482 active cases among employees of the WestJet group. To date, these cancellations have affected 1,393 flights.
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Acting Chairman and CEO Harry Taylor also cited health restrictions that are impacting the airline’s ability to operate.
“For two years, WestJet has gone above and beyond to ensure the safety of our guests throughout their journey,” Taylor said in a press release. “Travel advisories, restrictions and testing requirements were meant to be temporary, but our industry is now at an impasse that is having serious implications for the recovery of our airline and our sector. Now is the time to present a way forward that is consistent with our global counterparts, reflects current data, and once again makes travel accessible and affordable for Canadians.
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Taylor pointed to duplicate PCR testing for asymptomatic and fully vaccinated travelers as a major issue. He said they were pushing for the return to surveillance testing of arrivals and the elimination of quarantine and isolation for travelers awaiting their results after returning to Canada.
He also said they were pushing the federal government to establish a roadmap for the recovery of the travel and tourism industry based on science and the current realities of the pandemic.
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Travelers affected by cancellations will be notified of changes to their itineraries by email.
Twitter: @JoshAldrich03
