TORONTO — The number of flights cancelled in the wake of Harvey is about to top 10,000 and that’s just within the U.S. Both Air Canada and WestJet have also cancelled flights and both airlines have issued updates for passengers with tickets to affected airports.
While Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport says it is closed until further notice, some reports suggest the airport could reopen for commercial traffic on Thursday at noon local time.
WestJet says 25 flights between Calgary and Houston have been cancelled since Friday, impacting travel plans for 1,400 passengers.
It says aircraft are positioned to resume service when the situation on the ground has improved.
WestJet says it is tentatively planning to operate one flight that day and one on Friday. Extra flight segments will be added over the weekend to help transport passengers.
Air Canada has cancelled several flights between Houston and airports in Montreal and Toronto. It wouldn’t provide details about the number of passengers affected.
Air Canada has implemented a policy for customers who purchased an Air Canada ticket no later than Aug. 26, 2017 and whose itinerary includes a flight between Aug. 26 and Sept. 5, 2017 to, from or via any of the following airports: Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), San Antonio International Airport (SAT) and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY).
“If you are scheduled to travel on the above dates, you may contact Air Canada Reservations (1-888-247-2262) to change your flight, free of charge, to another date between now and September 20, 2017, subject to availability in the cabin you originally purchased. Otherwise, any fare difference will apply,” says the airline.
Passengers may also choose to travel to an alternate destination. In that case, any change fees will be waived, provided they are travelling between now and Sept. 20, 2017. Any fare difference will apply.
WestJet has also put out an advisory notifying passengers impacted by Harvey about flexible change and cancel rules. “To review your flight options, please call: WestJet (air-only): 1-888-937-8538 (1-888-WESTJET). WestJet Vacations: 1-877-737-7001. If you have made an air-only booking through a travel agent, please contact your travel agent directly.”
Hurricane Harvey has dumped a record 49.32 inches of rain on Texas.
With files from The Canadian Press
