WestJet adds capacity in B.C. for travellers impacted by flooding; state of emergency declared

After intense rainfall led to flooding and mudslides in British Columbia, leaving hundreds of people in the Lower Mainland cut off from essential services, Premier John Horgan declared a state of emergency on Wednesday (Nov. 17). 

Heavy flooding has left thousands of people displaced from their homes, CBC News reports, and one woman has been confirmed dead after a mudslide plowed through a portion of B.C.'s Highway 99. 

In effort to assist travellers who require immediate transportation into or out of British Columbia, WestJet has added extra capacity, including moving larger aircraft onto routes to accommodate increased demand and to ensure more seats are available. 

The announcement was made on WestJet's blog on Wednesday. 

The airline said its flexible change and cancel policies have also been activated for reservations that may be impacted across the West Coast.

"We have temporarily reduced our walk-up and westjet.com prices by more than 50 per cent on impacted routes to help travellers in need of immediate flights or for those trying to reach impacted flood areas to support with recovery efforts," the airline wrote.

Flights added

Minister of Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair said on Wednesday that the federal government will deploy air force personnel to help B.C. handle the aftermath of the floods, which has forced thousands to evacuate towns in southern B.C., such as Merritt and Princeton.

WestJet has added the following extra segment flights which are available for booking on westjet.com. 

"We will continue to share additional details pertaining to aircraft upgauges, extra segment flights and additional information for travellers impacted by the flooding as soon as it available below and on our website," WestJet said. 

*Aircraft upgauge to accommodate increased demand (ex: Q400 to Boeing 737 or Boeing 737-700 to Boeing 737-800)

For a full list of evacuation orders and alerts, go to Emergency Information B.C.

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