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American Airlines has announced a suspension of its Chicago O’Hare service from the Region of Waterloo International Airport, effective Oct. 5, 2016.
Despite best efforts to combat the currency issues with increased passenger traffic, Waterloo Region will join a lengthy list of Canadian Airports negatively impacted by the low Canadian dollar.
Since 2014, airlines based in the United States operating in Canada have seen consistent reductions in profit, suspending service on 35 Canadian routes in total, including: Edmonton to New York; Halifax to Washington; Halifax to Chicago; London to Chicago; London to New York; Montreal to Houston; and Ottawa to Chicago.
London International Airport is now without regularly scheduled service to the United States for the first time in 40 years.
“We want to thank everyone who flew from home and supported American Airlines and want to assure the community we are trying to find a replacement service for our growing community,” said Chris Wood, airport general manager at the Region of Waterloo International Airport.
“Despite consistent passenger loads, unfortunately American has made a business decision to suspend the route.”
American Airlines launched twice daily non-stop jet service between Waterloo Region and Chicago in June of 2012. Since that time over 170,000 passengers have used the local air service, many connecting to one of the over 250 one-stop destinations available through Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
The Region of Waterloo International Airport is home to 25 businesses that collectively employ over 300 people, together contributing over 90 million dollars annually to Waterloo Region’s economy.
