WestJet cutting service in Hamilton is a 'loss' for residents but not 'doomsday' for airport: experts

WestJet scaling back operations at the Hamilton International Airport is a loss for locals, but also isn't a death knell for the airport, according to experts in the aviation industry.

"They're not abandoning Hamilton per se … but it's still a loss for the people," said John Gradek, lecturer and co-ordinator of the aviation management program at McGill University.

This week, WestJet told CBC Hamilton it was ending its flights from the city to Atlantic Canada and limiting flights to Orlando, Fla.

The airport said the decisions related to the Atlantic came down to "performance" and plans to provide eastern Canada "non-stop connectivity" to Calgary.

It didn't say why it was offering fewer flights to Florida.

The airline will still offer year-round service to its hub in Calgary and provide refunds for flights cancelled.

What will happen to the Hamilton airport?

Gradek and Barry Prentice, director of University of Manitoba's Transport Institute, said WestJet's move is a sign of the airline focusing on being the dominant carrier in the West Coast while Air Canada remains prominent in the rest of the country.

"The two big airlines are carving out areas of concentration," Prentice said.

Prentice noted the industry is facing various pressures including a shortage of aircrafts, pilots and high interest rates.

WestJet's move comes as the airport's advertised spring and summer programming was already underway. The majority of passenger flights under that program were with WestJet. There are also routes to Europe with Play airlines via Reykjavík.

Both experts say the airport will likely see a dip in passengers, but has other options.

Gradek thinks WestJet could bring Sunwing into the local airport as a discount carrier that can offer seasonal vacation packages.

Prentice said the Hamilton airport's ridership may take a hit, but is also one of Canada's largest cargo airports.

He also said discount airlines like Porter and Flair could eventually try to offer flights out of Hamilton.

"I don't think it's doomsday," he said.