It could be a couple more months before Air Canada flights to Vancouver return to Kamloops Airport.

YKA Managing Director Ed Ratuski says they’re in regular contact with Canada’s national carrier, after it suspended all flights between Kamloops and Vancouver on January 23. At that time, he told NL News the decision was not surprising, as the airline previously suspended these flights for two months last spring.

“Its in their system right now, but we’re still discussing that with Air Canada in terms of when they may make that call to re-enter the market,” Ratuski said, noting people can currently book tickets on these Air Canada flights for travel later in the year.

“Right now, its for booking a return maybe in late April, early May, but we’re still discussing that with Air Canada.”

As it stands, the first Air Canada flight to Vancouver is set for June 1, though as Ratuski noted, it could start sooner.

Earlier this year, Air Canada said it was looking forward to returning to Kamloops when economic conditions permit.

“We continually evaluate our network schedule, particularly the effect of stifled demand from ongoing travel restrictions and blanket quarantine rules,” it said, in a statement. “Our overall network capacity is currently down about 80 per cent from the last normal year, which was 2019.”

“Air Canada will continue to evaluate and adjust its route network as required in response to the trajectory of the pandemic and travel restrictions.”