Air Canada Under Fire For Price Hiking Amid Yellowknife Evacuation
By Kay on August 19, 2023 at 12:00 PM EDT
Yellowknife is on fire and the government has officially issued an evacuation order, so why are Air Canada’s fly-out prices increasing?
Air Canada Is Dead Wrong
As we said, Yellowknife is experiencing an insanely dangerous wildfire, so much so that the residents have been told to evacuate immediately. Okay, cool but why can’t everyone work together to make that happen?
As residents prepare to leave the capital city of the Northwest Territories for their safety they were smacked with the reality of Air Canada on their mission to seemingly gouge the last pennies the displaced victims have just to get out of danger.
Enraged residents and supporters took to Twitter to screenshot prices and blast Air Canada over their choice to hike up the prices of airfare at this particular time. Prices have jumped from what would normally be a $350 to $400 flight up to over $4,000 per seat in ECONOMY.
Canadians Are Enraged
Twitter is buzzing with the trendy topic. Canadians are speaking their minds and are horrified that this is even a thing right now.
“Reprehensible @AirCanada We need national reporting @CBCNews and we need federal intervention. Nationalize Air Canada and provide the humanitarian aid that this humanitarian crisis demands,” wrote one follower if the trend.
Another follower agreed, “@AirCanada can you explain this? Why are you not providing humanitarian relief flights and getting folks to safety? Do better!” the disappointment is radiating off the page at this point.
Granted it depends on where you want/need to go when you evacuate but has the airline even taken into account that most people have to shack up with family? Some people have family in further away places like the GTA.
Some People Got Lucky
There is a dispute taking place with people who are sharing that the price they are paying to evacuate is reasonable. They lucked out and found amazing princes to Calgary for $200 to $400. “Air Canada website, now,” they wrote with the screenshots.
But they seemed to be in the minority as more people pulled up prices in even higher ranges like $4000 to $6,000 and that is WITH a layover this person has to evacuate to Toronto. “This is what Google gave me too,” they wrote alongside the screenshot. Another disappointment.
More followers backed up the sky-high price debacle “It's true,” claims another hopeful evacuee. “I was just looking now and a flight from Yellowknife to Calgary for 1 person is almost 1400.00 no economy seats at all. This is ridiculous people are fleeing a disaster.”
The Disappointment Keeps Coming
Air Canada Called Out
Many upset displaced people and supporters spoke with no filter about how they are feeling about the suspiciously high prices.
“Apparently this is what @AirCanada is doing just when Yellowknife residents are trying to leave under a mandatory evacuation due to an encroaching wildfire. Jacked the prices to get out through the roof!!” wrote one.
Another disgusted hopeful evacuee shared what their search pulled up for their TWO-HOUR flight to get to safety.
“I don't post often. And I don't plan to. But this. Is just gross. Way to go air Canada. Capitalize on a dire situation. This is the cost to get out of Yellowknife, per person for tomorrow. If the seats are available, they should be available. And not jacked up just to make a buck. Wtf. Regular costs range from 300-500 1 way. It’s. 2-hour flight.”
People are demanding answers in addition to having to be in a constant state of panic because of the evacuation order. What is actually going on with Air Canada?? As a Canadian myself, It’s weighing on my mind.
