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Winnipeg Free Press
08-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘Downward shift in demand' as WestJet suspends, reduces flights between Winnipeg, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Orlando
WestJet is suspending or reducing flights taking travellers from Winnipeg to a handful of U.S. destinations amid a slump in the number of Canadians crossing the border and the end of a provincial flight subsidy fund. The flights between Winnipeg and Los Angeles will be suspended from June 1 to Aug. 28, while flights between Winnipeg and Las Vegas will be suspended in July and August; direct flights to Orlando will be suspended in June only, WestJet spokeswoman Julia Brunet said in an email statement Thursday. The frequency of flights between Winnipeg and Atlanta will be reduced from five per week to three in June, and then to two times weekly in July and August. 'I can confirm that we have seen a downward shift in demand for trans-border bookings between Canada and the U.S. The following schedule adjustments have been made to reflect this shift in demand,' Brunet said. WestJet spokeswoman Jen Booth said in April the Calgary-based company would make adjustments to its trans-border routes ahead of the summer season. It announced a new Winnipeg-to-St. John's route and increased the frequency of its flights between Winnipeg and Halifax. Winnipeg Airports Authority spokesperson Kerilee Falloon said those changes are a sign WestJet is 'reinvesting in connectivity from Winnipeg, but more focused on Canadian destinations.' The new route will also improve connectivity to Europe, through St. John's, she said. The airports authority is tracking the dip in U.S. travel. 'It's a situation where the economic conditions are changing daily. We're working really closely with WestJet to monitor the situation and to look at market demand,' Falloon said. 'We haven't seen a significant decline yet, but are starting to see more of a decline now.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. U.S. President Donald Trump implemented economy-wide tariffs in March, blaming Canada for the flow of fentanyl across the border. Days later, those duties were partially rescinded, but tariffs on steel, aluminum and automobiles were later put in place. In response, some Canadians have boycotted American products, including travel down south. Falloon is hopeful the altered flight plans will return to normal for the winter season. The airports authority is advocating for their reinstatement with WestJet's network planning team, Falloon said. The province ended a subsidy fund last month for flights connecting Winnipeg to Hollywood and Atlanta. Finance Minister Adrien Sala said the fund paid out $4.8 million since it was launched by the previous Progressive Conservative government in 2022. Manitoba's film industry was supported by the Los Angeles connection, which brought more production to the province after its launch, Manitoba Music and Film CEO and film commissioner Lynne Skromeda said previously. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES 'We remain hopeful that direct service will resume as travel demand rebounds,' Manitoba Music and Film CEO and film commissioner Lynne Skromeda said in an email statement. 'We remain hopeful that direct service will resume as travel demand rebounds,' Manitoba Music and Film CEO and film commissioner Lynne Skromeda said in an email statement. 'While the temporary suspension of direct flights to Los Angeles & Atlanta is unfortunate, it is not entirely unexpected given the broader trend of reduced travel to the United States from across Canada,' Skromeda said in an email statement Thursday. 'The encouraging news is that Manitoba remains accessible, with alternative routes offering relatively short layovers. We anticipate a strong and successful year ahead for our industry, and we remain hopeful that direct service will resume as travel demand rebounds.' Progressive Conservative MLA Richard Perchotte took aim at the NDP for halting the subsidy. 'When will they stand up and protect this industry?' Perchotte said during question period Wednesday at the Manitoba legislature. Winnipeg company Winpak has a sizeable operation in Georgia, just south of Atlanta. The firm's CEO said the reduction in direct routes to Atlanta will be a nuisance. 'For Winpak, the connection to (Atlanta) is very significant because of our site there and the many corporate officers working from there. This isn't leisure travel for us, so additional complications and flight connections are a considerable hindrance and additional cost,' Olivier Muggli said in a message to the Free Press. 'Hopefully, the relationship with our southern neighbours can be restored amicably in a not-too-distant future and the situation normalizes.' HVAC manufacturer Price Industries is another Winnipeg-based business that operates a facility in Georgia. Former premier Heather Stefanson, who brokered the funding agreement with the airports authority in 2022, now sits on WestJet Group's board of directors. Her appointment was announced shortly after her party lost the last provincial election in October 2023 and she resigned as the MLA for Tuxedo. Tyler SearleReporter Tyler Searle is a multimedia producer who writes for the Free Press's city desk. A graduate of Red River College Polytechnic's creative communications program, he wrote for the Stonewall Teulon Tribune, Selkirk Record and Express Weekly News before joining the paper in 2022. Read more about Tyler. Every piece of reporting Tyler produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
08-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
WestJet suspends, reduces flights between Winnipeg and three U.S. cities
WestJet is suspending or reducing flights taking travellers from Winnipeg to a trio of U.S. destinations amid a slump in the number of Canadians crossing the southern border and the end of a provincial flight subsidy fund. The flights between Winnipeg and Los Angeles will be suspended beginning June 1, while flights between Winnipeg and Las Vegas will be suspended as of July, Winnipeg Airports Authority spokesperson Kerilee Falloon confirmed Thursday. The frequency of flights between Winnipeg and Atlanta will be reduced from five per week to two, Falloon said. 'These shifts are part of WestJet's broader network adjustments and they are largely connected to a weaker demand for U.S. travel tied to the ongoing tariff conditions,' Falloon said by phone. WestJet spokeswoman Jen Booth said in April that the Calgary-based company would make adjustments to its trans-border routes ahead of the summer season. It announced a new Winnipeg-to-St. John's route and increased the frequency of its flights between Winnipeg and Halifax. Falloon said those changes are a sign WestJet is 'reinvesting in connectivity from Winnipeg, but more focused on Canadian destinations.' The new route will also improve connectivity to Europe, through St. John's, she said. The WAA is tracking a dip in U.S. travel, she said. 'It's a situation where the economic conditions are changing daily. We're working really closely with WestJet to monitor the situation and to look at market demand,' Falloon said. 'We haven't seen a significant decline yet, but are starting to see more of a decline now.' It is unclear whether the Los Angeles flights will return for the winter season. The WAA is advocating for its reinstatement with WestJet's network planning team, Falloon said. The future of direct flights to Las Vegas through Winnipeg is also unclear, she said. The province ended a subsidy fund last month for flights connecting Winnipeg to Hollywood and Atlanta. Finance Minister Adrien Sala said the fund paid out $4.8 million since it was launched by the previous Progressive Conservative government in 2022. Manitoba's film industry was supported by the Los Angeles connection, which brought more production to Manitoba after its launch, CEO and film commissioner Lynne Skromeda said previously. Winnipeg-based HVAC manufacturer Price Industries operates a facility in Atlanta. Winpak is another Winnipeg company with a sizable operation in Georgia, just south of Atlanta. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest air terminal in the world. Former premier Heather Stefanson, who brokered the funding agreement with the WAA in 2022, now sits on WestJet Group's board of directors. Her appointment was announced shortly after her party lost the last provincial election and she resigned as the MLA for Tuxedo. The Free Press has reached out to WestJet for comment. Tyler SearleReporter Tyler Searle is a multimedia producer who writes for the Free Press's city desk. A graduate of Red River College Polytechnic's creative communications program, he wrote for the Stonewall Teulon Tribune, Selkirk Record and Express Weekly News before joining the paper in 2022. Read more about Tyler. Every piece of reporting Tyler produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
24-04-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Province ends subsidy for direct flights to L.A., Atlanta
Manitoba has no plans to continue subsidizing direct flights connecting Winnipeg to Hollywood and Atlanta. The previous PC government created a unique fund in 2022 that incentivized the launch of local routes to and from Los Angeles and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the busiest air terminal in the world. Finance Minister Adrien Sala told reporters Thursday the province had paid out $4.8 million and there won't be any top-ups. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Manitoba Finance Minister says the provincial government is focused on investing in home-grown tourism. 'We trust that the Winnipeg Airports Authority will continue to do their good work of managing their businesses and moving us forward,' Sala said at the legislature. The provincial government is focused on investing in home-grown tourism, the minister said. The commitment to improve non-stop connectivity to major international markets was widely endorsed by the local business community. Film-industry leaders had long advocated for direct trips to L.A., a key factor in attracting productions to Winnipeg. WestJet began regular service between Winnipeg Richardson International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport in late 2022. Atlanta — a global hub for WestJet partner Delta Air Lines — was added to the carrier's schedule the following year. The airports authority was in charge of administering the fund when passenger counts did not meet certain thresholds to these destinations. The chief executive officer of Manitoba Film and Music said it remains unclear whether there will be an impact, if any, on future flight schedules. 'We can only say at this point that we are grateful to the province for their support in bringing the direct flight from L.A. to Winnipeg, as it has had a positive impact on our ability to promote the film and television industry,' CEO and film commissioner Lynne Skromeda said in an email. The route has brought more production to Manitoba since it launched, Skromeda said. Wayne Ewasko, interim leader of the Progressive Conservatives, called the development both disappointing and confusing if the province wants to attract international visitors to spend money locally. 'We've got an international airport and we're trying to provide as much service as we possibly can to Manitobans,' Ewasko added. Airlines have been revisiting their flight schedules between Canada and the U.S. in recent weeks as Canadians cancel trips south of the border due to rising political tensions and tariffs. WestJet spokeswoman Jen Booth said the Calgary-based company is currently making adjustments to its trans-border routes ahead of the summer season. The airline recently announced a new Winnipeg-to-St. John's route and increased the frequency of its flights between Winnipeg and Halifax. Kerilee Falloon, acting director of communications at the Winnipeg Airports Authority, said there has not been a 'significant impact' on overall travel activity. 'That said, the situation is evolving, and we are prepared for potential route changes in the coming weeks and months ahead,' Falloon said, adding her employer is monitoring 'the ever-changing economic conditions related to tariffs.' During Elections Get campaign news, insight, analysis and commentary delivered to your inbox during Canada's 2025 election. Sala noted the overall reduction in air travel between Canada and the U.S. on Thursday. 'As it relates to travel, I will say this last budget did invest $4.5 million more in tourism because we want to encourage as many people as possible to visit our incredibly beautiful province,' he said. Former premier Heather Stefanson, who brokered the funding agreement with the airports authority in 2022, currently sits on the WestJet Group's board of directors. Her appointment was announced shortly after her party lost the last provincial election and she resigned from her seat in Tuxedo. Maggie MacintoshEducation reporter Maggie Macintosh reports on education for the Free Press. Originally from Hamilton, Ont., she first reported for the Free Press in 2017. Read more about Maggie. Funding for the Free Press education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative. Every piece of reporting Maggie produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
CBC
24-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
Provincial subsidy fund for Winnipeg flights to L.A., Atlanta runs dry
A Manitoba provincial fund set aside to subsidize WestJet flights between Winnipeg and two U.S. cities has run out of cash, raising questions about the future of direct air connections between Winnipeg's Richardson International Airport and both Los Angeles and Atlanta. A $4.8-million flight subsidy fund created by the former Progressive Conservative government under Heather Stefanson government is all used up, said Ryan Stelter, a spokesperson for Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew. The fund, which was managed by the Winnipeg Airports Authority, will not be topped up with additional public money under the current NDP government, Stelter added. "The previous government entered into $4.8-million agreement with the Winnipeg Airport Authority in June 2023 for flights to Los Angeles and Atlanta. That agreement … was honoured and paid out in full," Stelter said Wednesday in a statement. The flight subsidy fund was originally envisioned to last until this October, Stelter said. Its demise comes at a time when trade tensions, economic uncertainty and anti-U.S. sentiment have already reduced Canadian demand for travel south of the border. This, in turn, has prompted WestJet, Air Canada and Porter to cut back on some Canada-U.S. routes and muse about suspending or cancelling others. WestJet said Wednesday it is reviewing its Canada-U.S. flight schedule for the summer months "due to the changing demand surrounding travel to the United States." Details around adjustments will be finalized in the coming weeks, WestJet public relations manager Jen Booth said Wednesday in a statement. WestJet has already announced new flights out of Winnipeg will start in July to serve Canadians seeking to travel to Europe and within Canada, said Booth. That includes new flights between Winnipeg and St. John's added "to meet increased domestic and transatlantic travel demand," along with increased service between Winnipeg and Halifax, she said. The Winnipeg Airports Authority did not comment Wednesday. It is slated to hold its annual general meeting on Thursday morning. Economic Development Winnipeg also declined to comment Wednesday. Manitoba Film and Music, which speaks on behalf of the film industry in this province, said Wednesday it has received no word of changes to the funding for the Winnipeg-Los Angeles flight and does not know what the impact of such a change would be. The Manitoba film industry spent years lobbying successive NDP and PC governments to subsidize a direct Winnipeg-Los Angeles air connection. "We are grateful to the province for their support in bringing the direct flight from L.A. to Winnipeg, as it had a positive impact on our ability to promote the film and television industry and bring production to Manitoba," Manitoba Film and Music CEO Lynne Skromeda said Wednesday in a statement. Price Industries, a Winnipeg manufacturer whose head office is located in an Atlanta suburb, did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday. Price's Gateway Road facility served as the setting for the original announcement by Stefanson and WestJet about the start of direct flights to Atlanta. Stelter said he is not aware of requests by the Winnipeg Airports Authority, WestJet or other entities to top up or extend subsidies for the Los Angeles and Atlanta flights. Flights between Winnipeg and Los Angeles started in 2022. Winnipeg-Atlanta flights began the following year. Former premier Stefanson joined WestJet's board of directors in 2024, after she left office, and is still listed as a member of the airline's board.
