CALGARY — Western Canada continues to be devastated by wildfires, prompting WestJet and Air Canada to offer discount fares to those impacted by the tragedy.
According to a travel advisory posted on WestJet’s agent website, the airline is offering 25% off bookings between Prince George Airport (YXS) and all Canadian and U.S. destinations, plus 25% off bookings between Kelowna (YLW)/ Penticton (YYF)/Kamloops (YKA) and all Canadian and U.S. destinations.
The offer applies for travel until July 31, 2017, if booked by that same date (no blackouts apply).
For GDS bookings, use account code GJMXQGW. For TA web bookings, use coupon code GJMXQGW.
For clients that have been impacted and wish to either cancel, exchange or refund their package without penalty, agents are encouraged to contact WestJet’s Travel Support Team at 1-877-664-3205.
In addition, WestJet has announced it will waive change/cancel fees for all existing bookings made to/from and via YLW/YXS/YYF/YKA to/from Canadian destinations on or before July 9, for travel through July 31.
For GDS bookings, there is no need for agents to call to receive a waiver code for clients – simply add code 201707YXS in the endorsement field and process the exchange or refund in the GDS. For TA web bookings and WestJet Vacation bookings via SIREV/Revnet/Call Centre, contact the Travel Support Team.
An updated advisory at Air Canada’s site reads: “Due to ongoing Forest Fires affecting British Columbia’s interior, we understand that you may want to make alternate travel arrangements. If you already have a ticket with Air Canada for travel to/from affected areas, booked on or before July 7, 2017, for travel until July 27, 2017, you may change your flight without paying a change fee. Please contact Air Canada Reservations (1-888-247-2262) for more details and assistance.
“If you do not have a ticket and are seeking to fly from Kamloops, Kelowna, Penticton, Prince George and Williams Lake as a result of the state of emergency, Air Canada is providing an additional 25% discount from these communities to help facilitate travel to any destination in North America. Customers can book on aircanada.com using the promotion code A3VRZAR1, or can call Air Canada Reservations (1-888-247-2262) for further assistance.
“We’re monitoring this situation very closely and our thoughts are with everyone affected.”
Two weeks ago B.C. declared a state of emergency, which is expected to last for at least another two weeks. Approximately 43,000 people have been displaced due to the wildfires, with some residents returning home today after evacuation orders were downgraded to alerts, reports Global News.
Last week, Rocky Mountaineer announced alternative plans for guests travelling by train and motorcoach from Vancouver to Jasper. Most recently, a popular Rocky Mountain resort in Banff National Park was preparing Thursday to move out its guests to make way for crews fighting deadly fires in the nearby backcountry.
Sunshine Village, a ski hill that also offers summer hiking on the Alberta-B.C. boundary, was about 2 1/2 kilometres from the flames, but was not under threat.
However, about 150 people staying at Sunshine’s hotel were being told they would have to leave by midday Friday, said resort spokeswoman Kendra Scurfield.
Parks Canada incident commander Rick Kubian said the property was being set up as a staging area for firefighters because it provides better access to the Verdant Creek fire, which covered 25 to 30 square kilometres in Kootenay National Park and Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park in B.C.
Scurfield said the hotel’s 84 rooms were fully booked and Sunshine was working to find alternative accommodations in the area. The hotel’s website said it expected the closure to last two to five days.
There were 75 people and six helicopters fighting the fire on Thursday as it spread into a remote and rugged area about 25 kilometres from Banff.
With files from Canadian Press
