WestJet suspending Winnipeg flights to some U.S. destinations amid drop in demand

WestJet airlines says it is putting nine routes between the Canada and U.S. on pause this summer as demand dips amid trade tensions.

Two WestJet flights from Winnipeg to locations in the United States have been suspended, while another has been cut back significantly.

The Winnipeg Airports Authority (WAA) confirmed the changes to flights from Winnipeg to Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Atlanta in a message to CTV News Winnipeg Thursday morning.

“Starting June 1st, service to Los Angeles will be suspended for the summer,” Kerilee Falloon, acting director of communications and marketing with WAA, said in a statement. “Las Vegas flights will pause in July and August, and Atlanta service will be reduced from five to two flights per week.”

WestJet confirmed to CTV News it would also be pausing flights from Winnipeg to Orlando in June. The Atlanta route will drop to three flights per week in June, and two a week in July and August.

“We have seen a downward shift in demand for transborder bookings between Canada and the U.S.,” spokesperson Julia Brunet said in an emailed statement.

The WestJet flights to Los Angeles started in 2022 and were touted as a way to connect the province’s film industry with Hollywood.

The Atlanta flights started in 2023 to connect the city to a major Delta Air Lines hub and establish quicker connections with other world destinations, the province said at the time.

A $4.8 million subsidy on the flights was paid out, which the NDP government decided not to renew.

Flights to Los Angeles are currently scheduled to resume in August, according to WestJet.

The airline recently added a twice-weekly flight from Winnipeg to St. John’s and more flights from Winnipeg to Halifax.

“As a proudly Canadian airline, WestJet is committed to ensuring air travel remains accessible, affordable and safe for all Canadians, and we’ll continue to fly where our guests want to go,” Brunet said.