WestJet service update: B.C. wildfires

Last updated August 25, 2023 at 2:30 p.m.

Status of operations – as of Friday, August 25 at 2:30 p.m. MT

WestJet has resumed normal operations to and from Kelowna as of Friday, August 25, 2023. 

Status of operations – as of Wednesday, August 23 at 3:00 p.m. MT

Following approval granted on behalf of Transport Canada, an exception has been made for WestJet to operate flights to and from Kelowna between 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23 and 7:00 a.m. (local) on Thursday, August 24.  WestJet has cancelled all flights scheduled before 8:00 p.m. (local) today, Thursday, August 24, to and from Kelowna as the city's airspace remains closed to aid firefighting efforts. We encourage all guests to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport.

Status of operations – as of Tuesday, August 22 at 11:00 a.m. MT

Following approval granted on behalf of Transport Canada, an exception has been made for WestJet to operate flights to and from Kelowna between 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 22 and 6:00 a.m. (local) on Wednesday, August 23.  WestJet has cancelled all flights scheduled before 9:00 p.m. (local) today, Tuesday August 22, to and from Kelowna as the city's airspace remains closed to aid firefighting efforts. We encourage all guests to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport.

Status of operations – as of Monday, August 21 at 6:30 p.m. MT

In alignment with NAV Canada, WestJet has cancelled all flights to and from Kelowna until 9:00 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, August 22. Kelowna's airspace remains closed to aid firefighting efforts and we encourage all guests to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport.

All WestJet flights this evening, August 21 continue to operate as scheduled. 

Status of operations – as of Monday, August 21 at 11:30 a.m. MT

Due to the closure of Kelowna's airspace to aid firefighting efforts, we have cancelled all flights on Monday, August 21, to and from Kelowna until 9:00 p.m. (local). As the situation continues to evolve, in alignment with NAV Canada, an assessment will be made on the remainder of flights scheduled to operate following 9:00 p.m. local to and from Kelowna this evening. All guests travelling to or from Kelowna are encouraged to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport.

Additionally, due to smoke creating low visibility and limited approach capability, we have cancelled all flight on Monday, August 21, to and from Penticton. 

Status of operations – as of Monday, August 21 at 9:00 a.m. MT

In response to the wildfires impacting the Okanagan region, a travel advisory has been posted on WestJet.com extending flexible change/cancel guidelines for all guests travelling to Kelowna, Kamloops and Penticton until September 4, 2023. All guests travelling to or from Kamloops or Penticton are encouraged to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport.

Status of operations – as of Sunday, August 20 at 2:15 p.m. MT

Due to the closure of Kelowna's airspace to aid firefighting efforts, we have cancelled all flights on Sunday, August 20, to and from Kelowna until 9:30 p.m. (local). As the situation continues to evolve, in alignment with NAV Canada, an assessment will be made on the remainder of flights scheduled to operate following 9:30 p.m. local to and from Kelowna this evening. All guests travelling to or from Kelowna are encouraged to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport.

In response to the wildfires impacting the Okanagan region, a travel advisory has been posted on WestJet.com and flexible change/cancel guidelines have been announced for all guests travelling to Kamloops and Penticton between August 20 and 31, 2023. All guests travelling to or from Kamloops or Penticton are encouraged to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport.

Status of operations – as of Saturday, August 19 at 9:15 a.m. MT

Due to the closure of Kelowna's airspace to aid firefighting efforts, we have cancelled all flights on Saturday, August 19, to and from Kelowna. 

To aid evacuation efforts, WestJet has added an extra recovery flight scheduled for Saturday, August 19, 2023, between Penticton to Calgary:

• WS4726 YYC-YYF
• WS4727 YYF-YYC

Status of operations – as of Friday, August 18 at 9:30 p.m. MT

In response to a Notice to Air Mission (NOTAM) issued by NAV Canada to assist firefighting efforts in the Okanagan region we have cancelled the following flights on Saturday, August 19, 2023 to and from Penticton:

Impacted flights:

• WS4720 YYC-YYF
• WS4721 YYF-YYC
• WS4722 YVR-YYF
• WS4723 YYF-YVR

Status of operations – as of Friday, August 18 at 7:30 p.m. MT

Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our guests and crews, we have proactively cancelled the following flights on Saturday, August 19, 2023 to and from Kelowna:

Impacted flights:

• WS280 YLW-YYC
• WS3160 YLW-YYC
• WS3320 YVR-YLW
• WS3323 YEG-YLW
• WS3224 YLW-YEG
• WS3155 YYC-YLW
• WS3346 YLW-YYC
• WS3119 YLW-YYJ
• WS3260 YYJ-YLW

We are working to notify all impacted guests and encourage them to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport.

Status of operations – as of Friday, August 18 at 7:00 p.m. MT

To aid evacuation efforts, WestJet has added an extra recovery flight scheduled for Saturday, August 19, 2023, from Penticton to Vancouver:

• WS4725 YYF-YVR

Status of operations – as of Friday, August 18 at 3:05 p.m. MT

To aid evacuation efforts, WestJet has added an extra recovery flight scheduled for August 18, 2023, between Penticton and Vancouver:

• WS4722 YVR-YYF
• WS4723 YYF-YVR

Status of operations – as of Friday, August 18 at 2:30 p.m. MT

Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our guests and crews, we have proactively cancelled all flights on Friday, August 18, 2023 to and from Kelowna. 

We are working to notify all impacted guests and encourage them to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport.

Status of operations – as of Friday, August 18 at 1:00 p.m. MT

To aid evacuation efforts, WestJet has added an extra recovery flight scheduled for August 18, 2023, between Penticton and Calgary:

• WS4720 YYC-YYF
• WS4721 YYF-YYC

Due to the close proximity of the wildfires to Kelowna International Airport, operations to and from the airport are not permitted at this time. As a result, we have proactively cancelled the following additional flights to and from Kelowna today, Friday, August 18:

Impacted flights:

• WS3125 YEG-YLW
• WS3126 YLW-YEG

Status of operations – as of Friday, August 18 at 11:45 a.m. MT

In response to the Kelowna wildfires, a travel advisory has been posted on WestJet.com and flexible change/cancel guidelines have been announced for all guests travelling to Kelowna between August 18 and 24, 2023. To ensure guests evacuating are able to do so affordably, WestJet has proactively adjusted fares to avoid price escalation for all flights serving Kelowna (YLW), Kamloops (YKA) and Penticton (YYF). 

Due to the close proximity of the wildfires to Kelowna International Airport, operations to and from the airport are not permitted at this time. As a result, we have proactively cancelled the following flights to and from Kelowna today, Friday, August 18:

Impacted flights:

• WS3119 YLW-YYJ

• WS3260 YYJ-YLW

• WS3155 YYC-YLW

• WS3346 YLW-YYC

• WS280 YLW-YYC

• WS3309 YLW-YVR

• WS3160 YLW-YYC

• WS3320 YVR-YLW

• WS3325 YLW-YVR

• WS3399 YEG-YLW

• WS3162 YLW-YYC

• WS3312 YLW-YEG

• WS187 YYC-YLW

• WS188 YLW-YYC

• WS348 YVR-YLW

• WS349 YLW-YVR

• WS3343 YYC-YLW

• WS3344 YLW-YYC

• WS3323 YLW-YVR

• WS3163 YYC-YLW

We are working to notify all impacted guests and encourage them to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport.

We continue to monitor the situation closely and will make operational changes in the name of safety as necessary. All guests currently in the region are advised to follow all response instructions provided by local authorities.