Fort McMurray International Airport resumed commercial flights on Friday. But with the Alberta wildfires still raging nearby, passengers have been advised to expect delays and last-minute cancellations.
The airport has warned that emergency responders continue to use the sky above the community, and airspace restrictions will force airlines to operate, for the time being, at a reduced schedule.
The wait time to get through security is also expected to take longer when departing from the airport.
Transport Canada has waived the requirement for evacuees returning to their homes to present government-issued ID. However, this could make for a longer wait times during security screenings. Passengers are being advised to arrive to the airport at least 90 minutes ahead of the flight.
With most of the 80,000-plus evacuees forced to flee the city suddenly, airlines operating from the Fort McMurray airport are taking steps to make their return to the community somewhat easier.
Both WestJet and Air Canada are offering 25 per cent off airfares to Edmonton, Calgary and Fort McMurray, as the tens of thousands of evacuees make their way home.
The airlines are also waiving additional fees for checked baggage and pets for Fort McMurray residents returning home.
"We are proud to support residents of Fort McMurray and the Region of Wood Buffalo as they return home under difficult circumstances," WestJet Executive Vice-President Bob Cummings said in a statement. "For those flying back to the community from cities across Canada, we have put a number of measures in place to make their travel as easy and stress-free as possible."
Both airlines are offering one-way flights from Calgary to Fort McMurray, scheduled for early next week, for as low as $133.
The airport suspended all commercial flights on May 4, as the wildfires closed-in on the community.
A phased re-entry plan got underway last week, with tens of thousands of evacuees slowly returning to the community.
