Air Transat Suspends Service Out of Toronto Thru April 30; Some Montreal Flights Continue

January 27, 2021 ctn_admin

The COVID-19 pandemic and tough talk about new travel rules has forced a major decision by Air Transat,

In a note posted for travel agents, Transat officials today said that, “in light of the continuing challenges the travel industry is facing, Transat has made the difficult decision to suspend all flight operations from Toronto for the remainder of our winter season effective January 28 – April 30, 2021.”

In their note to agents, Transat said that travellers affected by these cancellations who paid for their flight or vacation package with cash or credit card will receive a full refund.

“If the form of payment was a Future Travel Credit, that credit will be reinstated. In either situation agents do not have to contact us, the files will be adjusted automatically.”

“Please be assured that passengers currently in destination will be rebooked on flights returning to Canada. Agencies/agents will receive notices specific to files that are affected.”

A Transat spokeperson issued the following clarification Wednesday afternoon:

“Continued travel restrictions and the numerous measures imposed by the federal government, including the requirement to present a negative COVID-19 test and to quarantine upon return to Canada, have had a significant impact on our bookings.  We must, therefore, revise our winter flight schedule, as we have been doing since the beginning of the pandemic, based on the evolution of the situation and demand.“

“We will continue to operate flights from Montreal to a total of six international destinations: Cancun (Mexico), Holguin (Cuba), Port-au-Prince (Haiti), Punta Cana and Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic), and Paris (France). However, we are suspending all flights out of Toronto for the remainder of the winter season.

“Travellers affected by flight cancellations will receive a refund for the amount paid, in the original method of payment. Customers and travel agents don’t need to contact us to request this refund, as their files will automatically be adjusted.

“We would also like to reassure passengers whose flights are affected by our revised flight schedule and who are currently abroad: they will automatically be rebooked on another Air Transat flight back home, and their new travel itinerary will be sent to them as soon as possible.”

WestJet says it has no news to report on suspensions at this time.

An Air Canada spokesman said they have no changes to announce.

“We are monitoring the situation and continue to operate our schedule,” he said.

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