Flying within Canada affords less choice than before pandemic, after 'massive cuts'

Air travel services cuts hit close to home for Charlene Hudy earlier this year, when the Saskatoon pilot discovered she would no longer be able to fly her own airline directly to Calgary, the nearest hub airport.

Air Canada cut the route in January along with service between Calgary and Regina. Since then, the country's largest carrier has also slashed other direct flights out of Calgary to Ottawa and Halifax, among other cities.

She isn't alone as flying within Canada is much different from how it was before the pandemic began following dozens of route changes and an overall decline in options.

The latest statistics show a noticeable decline in available tickets for flights within the country. Air Canada is selling about 25 per cent fewer seats this month compared to November 2019, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium, while WestJet is offering nearly 28 per cent fewer seats.

On the weekend, Air Canada pilots held a demonstration to oppose the recent cuts in Calgary.

"We find it very concerning the route reductions, the massive cuts that have happened," said Hudy, a first officer with Air Canada.

"As Canadians, we really want to have that reliable, sustainable and competitive aviation network," she said.

Hudy is also chair of the Air Canada Master Elected Council, which represents pilots during ongoing negotiations on a new contract with the airline.

Flair and Porter have increased the amount of domestic flights, but the overall number of seats this month on all airlines is nearly 20 per cent lower compared to November 2019.

Arriving at Toronto Pearson International Airport for a morning flight, Tim Cestnick is not surprised to see his flight is delayed. As someone who travels several times every month for business and pleasure, he's growing accustomed to the turbulent experience of flying in Canada.

"I never know when a flight is going to be delayed or not," said Cestnick. "Every single flight I've been on in the last six months has either been delayed or cancelled."

The frequent flyer, who works in wealth management and as a financial planner in Toronto, has had to adjust his travel plans accordingly. If he has a noon meeting in Calgary or Vancouver, he used to catch an early morning flight. However, because of consistent delays and fewer numbers of flights, he now travels the night before.

"I actually have to pay more money to travel because I'm covering hotel bills for an extra night," he said. "That happens all the time now."

Not only is there a reduction in domestic air travel in the country, but an increasing level of regionalization as Air Canada has focused on Eastern Canada, while WestJet has prioritized Canada's West.