(Image Credit: CFJC Today / Adam Donnelly)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

AIR TRAVEL RETURNS

Airlines gradually increasing flight service out of Kamloops Airport

Jun 16, 2020 | 4:31 PM

KAMLOOPS — The sky above Kamloops will start to get a little busier this week, as airlines begin to increase their flight frequencies for YKA.

After a halt in operations at the height of the pandemic, Air Canada resumed service from Kamloops to Vancouver on Monday. Kamloops Airport Managing Director Ed Ratuski says that will increase throughout the summer.

“Right now it’s five times a week and then in July they’ll be going to twice a day, seven days a week. And WestJet is doubling their frequency at the beginning of July as well,” says Ratuski. “And then we’ll also see the return of Central Mountain Air to serve northern B.C from Kamloops the first week of July.”

For now, flights out of Kamloops will only be to Prince George, Vancouver, and Calgary.

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The direct flights to Edmonton have been cancelled, as Swoop Airlines won’t be starting service in Kamloops like the company had planned to this summer.

For current operations, Ratuski says seat availabilities on planes have been changed to keep capacity low.

“Airlines are selling about half of the seats available on the plane. So for the Q400s it’s for its 39 seats, and then for the larger aircrafts it’s up to 89 seats,” explains Ratuski. “So that’s what we’re seeing right now is the traffic is selling at capacity but it’s kind of half of what the aircraft capacity is. Which is actually a good sign that people are beginning to travel.”

For the duration of the pandemic, Ratuski notes that health screening measures have been implemented for passengers boarding flights, and people waiting to greet arrivals are asked to stay outside of the airport.