WestJet looks to pandemic recovery as travel numbers soar
Posted April 3, 2022 1:33 pm.
WestJet says it’s preparing to fly a record number of passengers since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the airline, around 48,000 travellers will be flying on more than 450 flights by the end of Sunday, marking the “highest single-day guest count” since the health crisis brought domestic and international travel to a halt.
“This is a strong signal for demand and the recovery of our industry as we look ahead to the busy summer travel season,” said WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech in a statement, noting the increase in travellers points to “renewed confidence in air travel.”
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The airline expects to return to pre-pandemic levels by the summer, adding flights and continuing on with COVID business recovery.
WestJet and many other airlines have been struggling through the pandemic, with various travel restrictions in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.
The increase in travel to mark the beginning of April is a far cry from where WestJet was just a month ago. The airline was forced to cancel 20 per cent of its flights in March, after already consolidating a number of flights in January and February.
It cited, “prolonged impact of government barriers on our business” as its reasons for flight cancellations and changes through the first three months of 2022.
Today is the day: fully vaccinated travellers are no longer required to provide a COVID-19 test result to enter Canada! pic.twitter.com/IZLyp7Sc16
— Omar Alghabra (@OmarAlghabra) April 1, 2022
Local agencies and airlines have been preparing for an uptick in travel since Canada announced its plan to end pre-entry testing requirements for fully vaccinated individuals.
Those changes took effect on April 1, with travellers who have received a full course of a COVID-19 vaccine no longer having to show proof of a PCR test entering Canada.
Unvaccinated Canadian travellers still have to show proof of a negative pre-entry PCR test, and continue to be tested on arrival. They also still need to quarantine for 14 days upon entering Canada.
