(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)

Air Canada is suspending flights to and from Kamloops and Penticton indefinitely due to travel restrictions around COVID-19.

Across the country, Canadian airports have been experiencing record low passenger counts as non-essential travel is not recommended by public health officials.

Ed Ratuski, managing director of the Kamloops Airport, said they received the news this morning, Jan. 12, that Air Canada would be suspending flights temporarily beginning Jan. 23. Air Canada is also suspending service to and from Penticton starting, Jan. 11.

READ MORE: Airport industry group calls for aid as pandemic lockdown chokes off revenue

"It's similar to what we experienced during the beginning of COVID, with the first wave," he said.

Currently there is one Air Canada flight that travels to and from Vancouver each day.

Throughout the pandemic, the airport sees roughly three to four flights a day, but Air Canada has only been operating one flight since the summer.

"It will have an impact on travellers traveling for essential reasons, that's for certain. The passenger numbers have been quite low because of the travel restrictions. That's our concern is people travelling for work or for essential reasons... that limits their options even further," Ratuski said.

In the second quarter of 2020, the airport experienced a 97% dip in traveller numbers.

Mayor Ken Christian addressed Air Canada's departure during today's council meeting, Jan. 12.

"Air Canada suspending Kamloops operations indefinitely is difficult news for employees of Air Canada and (the Kamloops Airport,)" he said, adding that the decision is "bad news" for the Kamloops economy.

Christian said he is "beyond disappointed" and will be taking the issue to Air Canada's government affairs officer. He also expressed concern for Sun Peaks Resort and how the departure will impact guest experiences.

In an emailed statement, Air Canada said the decision was made due to the "stifled demand from ongoing travel restrictions and blanket quarantine rules."

Operating in this environment is not sustainable and we have made difficult decisions to suspend all passenger operations to Kamloops Airport until further notice," according to the statement.

"Our overall network capacity is currently down about 80% from the last normal year which was 2019," according to the statement.

— This story was updated at 3:56 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 to include a comment from Mayor Ken Christian.

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