Air Canada to end service to Lethbridge and Medicine Hat

Air Canada will no longer offer flights to Lethbridge or Medicine Hat as of April 1.

The airline said in a statement to CBC News that its decision to cancel its Air Canada Express flights from Calgary to both southern Alberta cities was not taken lightly.

"These routes had not performed at the levels that were required to ensure they would be commercially sustainable and now with the current environment, a difficult decision was made to suspend these routes," Air Canada said.

The Medicine Hat Chamber of Commerce said in a release it learned of the decision on Tuesday.

The chambersaid it was told the change was based on multiple factors, including the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

"We are very disappointed by the announcement, as Air Canada has provided service to Medicine Hat for many years. Unfortunately, the economic conditions, along with the recent concerns with COVID-19 have resulted in this decision," airport manager Jeff Huntussaid in a release.

"However, when things improve, we will commence our collective efforts to try to have them return to our market again."

Air Canada has been operating in Medicine Hat since 1998.

Flights to Calgary from Medicine Hat are still available with WestJet.

"We are disappointed that Air Canada is suspending service indefinitely in Lethbridge," the City of Lethbridgesaid in an emailed statement to CBC News.

"We know that our airport has great opportunity for growth both for passengers as well as economic development opportunities."

WestJetlayoffs expected

The pandemic is also affecting operations at WestJet.

The union representing WestJet flight attendants is expecting layoffs of more than 50 per cent of its staff as the number of flight cancellations continues to mount amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

An internal memo sent to union officials and obtained by The Canadian Press says that travellers are rebooking "in such massive numbers" that the situation became grave "overnight."

The Calgary carrier said Wednesday the coronavirus and previous issues with the grounding of the Max 8 airplanes is forcing the company to take cost-reduction actions.

The company isfreezing discretionary spending andinstituting a company-wide hiring freeze.

WestJet is also offering voluntary-leave options.

The airline says it's considering reducing its network as well, as the situation continues.