By City of Castlegar
Air Canada has extended the suspension of its West Kootenay Regional Airport passenger flights until at least Sept. 8, 2020.
The extended suspension includes flights to and from Calgary and Vancouver.
This is the third time since the COVID-19 pandemic began that Air Canada has announced changes to flights in and out of Castlegar as a result of financial uncertainty caused by COVID-19.
“We know this creates inconvenience for travelers and it has a significant impact on the City’s finances,” says Mayor, Bruno Tassone.
“The City is losing approximately $65,000 each month there are no passenger flights at the airport.”
The City has written to federal and provincial governments asking for financial support or grants to offset revenue losses at the airport as a result of COVID-19.
The West Kootenay Regional Airport remains open and operating for general aviation, medical air, cargo service, and the Southeast Fire Centre. The airport terminal building remains closed to the general public.
The airport normally serves 80,000 passengers annually.
