Air Transat temporarily suspends operations

The Canadian airline, Air Transat, has announced a temporary suspension of all its services. A statement issued on April 3 said:

“In our commitment to keep you informed of the latest developments, we would like to update you on the situation that is severely affecting our industry.

“Over the last few weeks, we operated hundreds of repatriation flights, including six special flights in partnership with the Government of Canada. Air Transat has, thus, enabled tens of thousands of travellers to return to their countries of origin, reuniting many families.

“This was a colossal repatriation operation, of which we’re extremely proud. And it wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and professionalism of our crews – flight attendants, pilots, flight directors and ground crews – all of whom played a key role in this unprecedented accomplishment. We would like to take this opportunity to salute their exemplary work, rigour and courage, and sincerely thank them.

“The COVID-19 pandemic, which affects the entire planet, requires an exceptional response to an equally exceptional situation. We must, therefore, temporarily suspend our operations. In total, more than 40 aircraft will be grounded, spread out between Quebec (Montreal and Mirabel), Ontario (Toronto) and British Columbia (Vancouver).

“This break, which we hope to put behind us soon, will enable us to come back stronger than ever. Resilience and tenacity are part of Transat’s DNA, and they will allow us to get through this crisis.

“Please rest assured that we will continue to communicate with you regularly. We also invite you to check our social media and website for the latest updates. An FAQ will soon be posted on our website to answer the most frequently asked questions by travellers and industry players. Our customer service agents also remain available for any other questions.

“Although the situation is changing constantly, we remain confident that Transat’s star will shine again.

“On behalf of our entire team, we wish you continued strength and encourage you to look after one another. Because if this crisis has taught us anything, it’s that the only way to overcome this difficult ordeal is by remaining united.”

The airline had retired the last of its long-serving Airbus A310s on March 31.