Air Canada’s LCC Rouge halts flights indefinitely

New travel restrictions now in place in Canada has resulted in Air Canada putting a halt on Rouge operations indefinitely, which began 8 February.

On 31 January, in an effort to reduce international travel, Canada adopted stricter restrictions and banned flights to and from Mexico and the Caribbean. Air Canada Rouge, a LCC and subsidiary of Air Canada which focuses on flights to those regions, is stopping all of its flights across the entire network until further notice.

“As a result of our suspension of all flights to the Caribbean and Mexico at the request of the Canadian government, we are again pausing our Rouge operations effective 8 February as these flights are primarily operated by Rouge,” the airline wrote in a statement.

However, Air Canada is keeping Rouge close. “Rouge remains a part of Air Canada overall business strategy,” assured the parent company.

At the request of the Canadian government, Air Canada, WestJet, Sunwing, and Air Transat have also suspended flights to the Caribbean and Mexico.

On 15 January the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was not excluding the idea of international flight ban. “We’re doing whatever it takes to protect Canadians, including looking at banning certain flights if necessary,” said Trudeau. “Decisions must be made based on public health guidance.”