WestJet ending flights from Hamilton to Atlantic Canada, reducing service to Florida

WestJet is discontinuing several flights out of the Hamilton International Airport.

Spokesperson Madison Kruger told CBC Hamilton the airline will suspend and remove flights to Halifax, N.S., and St. John's, N.L., as of July 1.

It also said it would reduce service to Orlando, Fla.

But the airline will still offer year-round service to its global hub in Calgary.

"The decision to remove service is never taken lightly and we understand this is disappointing news for our guests and the community of Hamilton and sincerely apologize for the impact this may have," Kruger said.

"We have provided our guests with as much advance notice as possible either directly, or through their travel agent. Impacted guests will be provided with a refund to their original form of payment."

Hamilton's airport still offers flights from Play and Air Transat. (@flyyhm/Twitter)

CBC Hamilton contacted the airport for more details.

Hamilton resident Joe Marin said he and his family got an email on Sunday night from WestJet saying their August flight to Orlando was cancelled. He said he was instructed to call the airline to get a refund.

"I'm pretty upset," he said, adding he ended up booking their flight in Buffalo to avoid chaos at Toronto Pearson Airport.

It's unclear what impact WestJet's move will have on the airport.

Last year, the airport said passenger traffic almost hit pre-pandemic levels with 820,011 passengers.

WestJet Group has had flights out of Hamilton for 23 years, according to the airport's 2023 annual report.

The airport previously used to have flights from discount airlines Lynx Air, Swoop and Sunwing. WestJet took over Swoop and Sunwing in 2023.