In response to operational challenges brought on by the sudden and unexpected demand for air travel, Air Canada has announced that it will be making “significant changes” to its flight schedule in July and August 2022.
“Things are not business as usual in our industry globally,” Michael Rousseau, president, and chief executive officer, Air Canada said in a statement addressed to the airline’s Aeroplan Members [the airline’s customers].
The disruptions brought on by the “industry’s complex and unavoidable challenges” and an unmatched upsurge in travel demand, where “people are returning to flying at a rate never seen in our industry,” are the reasons Rousseau laments the operational difficulties the airline is currently experiencing.
“In response, we took a number of important steps, including introducing flexible ticket policies, new travel self-management tools, improvements to airport operations, as well adjustments to our schedule ‑ all to strengthen operational resiliency and to give customers more options,” said Rousseau. “However, to bring about the level of operational stability we need, with reluctance, we are now making meaningful reductions to our schedule in July and August in order to reduce passenger volumes and flows to a level we believe the air transport system can accommodate.”
The Financial Post reports that Air Canada will reportedly reduce more than 15% of its scheduled flights in July and August of 2022.
The Financial Post added that the airline’s schedule might be reduced by up to 154 flights per day.
“This surge in travel has created unprecedented and unforeseen strains on all aspects of the global aviation system,” Rousseau said in the statement. “Around the world, there are recurring incidents of flight delays and airport congestion, resulting from a complex array of persistent factors impacting airlines and our partners in the aviation ecosystem.”
According to Peter Fitzpatrick, an airline spokeswoman, Air Canada was running close to 1,000 flights daily prior to the schedule change.
“This was not an easy decision, as it will result in additional flight cancellations that will have a negative impact on some customers. But doing this in advance allows affected customers to take time to make other arrangements in an orderly manner, rather than have their travel disrupted shortly before or during their journey, with few alternatives available,” Rousseau added.