Air Transat, WestJet re-evaluate flights to the U.S. as demand drops

For the first time in 14 years, Air Transat won’t have winter flights between Moncton and Orlando, Florida.

In a notable shift in strategy, Air Transat and WestJet are re-evaluating their flight offerings between Canada and the United States – particularly to Florida – while simultaneously increasing service to popular sun destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico.

Air Transat will no longer operate flights to Orlando from Moncton this winter, opting instead to concentrate on destinations with stronger demand, such as Varadero, Cuba, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and Cancún, Mexico.

“What we’re seeing across the industry is softer demand for Florida and other U.S. destinations, while travellers are increasingly opting for the Caribbean, Mexico and Europe,” stated Marie-Christine Pouliot, public relations and content manager for Air Transat. “By adjusting our schedule accordingly, we’re able to align with those preferences and strengthen our south offering out of Moncton.”

Lauren Guitard of the Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport noted the route’s popularity, stating, “It was a very popular rotation that they added more service through the March break. Unfortunately, this year, it’s not on our schedule.”

Despite the loss of the Orlando flight, the Greater Moncton International Airport will maintain a schedule of sun destinations.

“We’re going to have 11 weekly flights. So, it’s the same rotation as last year and we’re going to have Jamaica, Cuba, Mexico and Dominican Republic and brand-new route this year to Holguin, Cuba,” said Guitard.

“We know it’s (Orlando) a popular destination and we hope to see it back in the future.”

Guitard also highlighted a new integration for WestJet vacation packages.

“When they (travellers) book their package with family vacations, when they arrive at, like them, they’re actually going to be checking into a WestJet counter and onboarding on a WestJet plane. So that will be the difference. So just something to make sure that they’re aware of,” said Guitard.

WestJet has also adjusted its network schedule, reallocating some flying between Canada and the U.S. in response to shifting demand. The airline is introducing more domestic connectivity across Canada and increasing frequency between Canada and other popular sun destinations, with direct southbound winter flights from several cities, including Deer Lake, Fredericton, Gander, Halifax, Moncton, and St. John’s.

Travel agent Wendy Northrup assures cruise travelers their plans should remain unaffected. Northrup anticipates many Moncton-area residents will continue to fly to the United States to embark on cruises.

“In order to sail in the Caribbean, typically you have to go into Florida, you have to go to Los Angeles, there’s a lot of ports out of New York. So, you have to get to the U.S. to get on the cruise,” Northrup explained.

Northrup emphasizes the absence of direct flights from Moncton to specific destinations shouldn’t deter travelers from pursuing cruise vacations or travel to the U.S. She also offers advice on airline selection.

“I typically recommend that people fly with a major airline that has lots of flights coming and going as opposed to a charter anyway… with our Atlantic Canadian weather, they have more chances. If something goes wrong,” she said.

While Air Transat and WestJet adjust their U.S. offerings, Air Canada is providing direct flights to Florida, although the schedule may not be regular. Porter Airlines, however, is maintaining its service between Halifax and Orlando, with flights restarting in November and increasing to daily service in mid-December. The airline also serves several sun destinations from Halifax on a non-stop, seasonal basis, including Tampa, Cancun, Punta Cana, Nassau and Montego Bay.