Commercial air service is ready to make a comeback from the pandemic next week in Windsor-Essex.
YQG Inc., which operates Windsor Airport, will offer Air Canada service from its terminal starting Tuesday, with two flights a day to and from Toronto's Pearson International Airport. The terminal will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with hours subject to change according to service demand and public health guidelines related to COVID-19.
It will be the first commercial traffic going into and out of Windsor Airport since early April when commercial service was suspended due to the COVID-19 crisis. Porter and Sunwing, which also use Windsor Airport for regular flights, had suspended operations previously. The airport had only been open for essential flights.
Mayor Drew Dilkens said he's happy to see Air Canada flying into the region again.
"While the pandemic has significantly impacted the aviation sector, the resumption of air service to Windsor International Airport is an important step for the recovery process, and we welcome back Air Canada wholeheartedly," said Dilkens.
Ferio Pugliese, senior vice-president of Air Canda Express and Government Affairs, said the airline has been eager to bring commercial service back to Windsor-Essex.
"Air Canada is looking forward to resuming service between Windsor and Toronto. This is an excellent example of how our industry can safely resume operations and how a community can reopen to trade and tourism in the COVID-19 era," said Pugliese.
Air travellers will see some changes to the terminal starting Tuesday. There will be dedicated entrance and exit doors, barriers at ticket and information counters, and more hand sanitizing stations. The airport is requesting that only ticketed passengers enter the terminal and that all who do are required to wear a mask or face covering to board an aircraft.
Complete information on flight scheduling and airport operations can be found at the airport's official website.
