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WestJet pulling service from Sudbury in September

WestJet announced Monday it will withdraw service from Sudbury effective Sept. 10. The Calgary-based discount airline company has been flying into Sudbury since December of 2001.
WestJet announced Monday it will withdraw service from Sudbury effective Sept. 10.
The Calgary-based discount airline company has been flying into Sudbury since December of 2001.

WestJetÂ?s vice-president of marketing and sales, Bill Lamberton, said the decision is based solely on economics.

Â?It is unfortunate that market conditions have forced us to make the difficult decision to withdraw service from Sudbury,Â? said Lamberton. Â?Since entering this market in December of 2001, WestJet has worked hard to stimulate air travel.

Â?The past 18 months has shown us that we are able to generate strong traffic in the summer season, but are unable to sustain strong year-round ridership.Â?

Lamberton also blamed government policy on the declining ridership during many months of the year.

Â?It is our belief that the poor level of demand in the slower seasons are, in large part, as a result of the continuous increase in taxes and fees that are being imposed on Canadian travellers by the Government of Canada and other agencies,Â? he said.

Â?We will continue to lobby the government, as we have in the past, to reduce the taxes and fees that are disproportionately impacting many short-haul routes such as our routes east and west of Sudbury. It is our hope that market conditions will some day improve, providing us with the opportunity to re-enter Sudbury with seasonal services.Â?

Lamberton said WestJet will continue to provide quality service until the second week in September.

All guests booked on WestJet flights from Sudbury after September 10th, will be contacted by WestJet to resolve their existing reservation.

The 10 WestJet staff members who are affected have been offered options which include opportunities within the airline, said Lamberton.

WestJet serves 26 Canadian cities from coast to coast.

WestJet has also announced it is pulling service out of Sault Ste. Marie airport, also in early September.




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