WestJet flies out of Saint John, N.B.

SAINT JOHN, N.B. – WestJet has pulled out of Saint John, N.B.

Bernard LeBlanc, president and CEO of the Saint John Airport Authority, says the airline told him just before Christmas that it would not be back in May to offer its seasonal service to Toronto.

LeBlanc says traffic was down about 20 per cent last year over previous years.

The airline began offering flights to Toronto from May to October in 2007.

The loss of WestJet means Saint John now has two carriers: Air Canada Jazz and during the winter, Sunwing.

Saint John Board of Trade president Imelda Gilman says the news is "disappointing."

"We were hoping we could convince WestJet to do year-round service and have been working with the airport to do that," she said.

"We’re trying to improve our service."

Gilman said the board will be working very closely with the staff and board of the airport to make sure the city has "timely, efficient and affordable" air service in and out of Saint John.

WestJet represents about eight per cent of the airport’s total traffic, LeBlanc said.

Now, the challenge is to secure a third carrier. LeBlanc said Porter is considering flying out of Saint John.

"It’s nice to have a variety of carriers and options for our passengers," LeBlanc said.