Cancelled flights in and out of small B.C. community making it ‘harder and harder to live here’: residents

Abbotsford-based optometrist Dr. Vicky Mahairhu has been facing challenges with her monthly flights from Vancouver to Fort Nelson, B.C., a journey of over 1,000 kilometers. The unreliable airline service has caused last-minute cancellations on both ends of her trips, disrupting her patient appointments and personal life.

In February, Mahairhu arrived at the airport to check in for her flight to Fort Nelson, only to discover that it had been cancelled. This led to the cancellation of all her scheduled appointments in the northeastern community. Similarly, in March, her return flight to Vancouver was cancelled multiple times, forcing her to extend her stay in Fort Nelson and miss work in Abbotsford.

The lack of consistency in flight schedules has not only affected Mahairhu but also other residents of Fort Nelson. School trustee Bill Dolan shared his travel woes at a municipal meeting, highlighting the inconvenience of delayed and cancelled flights. Many seniors in the community, like Mark Cripps, face challenges when traveling for medical appointments due to flight cancellations.

Central Mountain Air, the only commercial airline serving Fort Nelson, acknowledged the industry-wide challenges affecting their scheduling and capacity. President Doug Mccrea stated that they are actively working on solutions to improve reliability and minimize disruptions. However, Mahairhu believes that scheduling fewer flights and providing advance notice of cancellations could help alleviate the problem.

Mayor Rob Fraser and the council members expressed their concerns during a meeting on March 24, emphasizing the need to address the reliability issues with the airline. They agreed to initiate a conversation with Central Mountain Air to find solutions to the ongoing flight disruptions in Fort Nelson.

As the community continues to grapple with unreliable airline service, residents like Dr. Vicky Mahairhu are advocating for changes to ensure smoother travel experiences for both locals and visitors to Fort Nelson. The collaborative efforts between the municipality and the airline are crucial in resolving the challenges faced by those dependent on air travel in the region.