WestJet in the west, Air Canada in the east: Why Canada's airlines are becoming more regional

Those pressures are why experts say WestJet is focusing heavily on Alberta, while Air Canada is prioritizing markets in the east, such as Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. Pandemic recoveryIn October, Air Canada posted its first operating profit since 2019, as the airline slowly recovers from the pandemic. Activity by WestJet and Air Canada at four major airportsThe moves by WestJet and Air Canada to focus on different parts of the country is raising concerns about possible collusion. Air Canada withdrew competition from the traditional home-turf regional routes of WestJet, and WestJet did the same in the traditional home-turf regional routes of Air Canada. :Air Canada has previously said it complies with all regulatory obligations and strongly rejects any allegations of anti-competitive conduct.