WestJet cancels planned Austin route after 'downward shift' in Canada-U.S. travel demand
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Canadian airline WestJet has canceled the launch of a new nonstop route between Austin and Vancouver, citing a “downward shift in demand” for travel between Canada and the United States.
The seasonal route was set to begin May 11. WestJet had planned to operate flights three times a week.
“Due to a downward shift in demand for U.S. travel, WestJet has made the difficult decision to suspend scheduled direct service between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Austin, Texas,” a WestJet spokesperson told KXAN.
WestJet will “review opportunities” to serve the Austin-Vancouver route in the future, the spokesperson said. Rival Air Canada currently operates the AUS-Vancouver route.
An AUS spokesperson said WestJet “remains a valued AUS airline partner.” The airline currently flies nonstop between Austin and Calgary. WestJet flew more than 15,000 passengers from Austin to Calgary in 2024, up from about 11,700 in 2023.
