Some Air Canada flights will be resuming in Newfoundland and Labrador after the airline pulled services from regional airports in the province.

This is part of a deal with Air Canada and the federal government in which the company was given a $5.9-billion support package to help retain and create jobs, and restore domestic air services.

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra says with that deal comes the promise of refunds that many Canadians had been waiting on since the pandemic first brought air travel to a halt.

He says passengers who bought tickets prior to March 22, 2020 to fly after that date will be refunded, as well as those who bought tickets after February 20, 2020 and had their flights cancelled by Air Canada. He says those people will be refunded as soon as possible.

Alghabra says those who accepted travel vouchers for canceled flights in lieu of a refund can choose to keep the voucher or get a refund. Those looking for a refund will have to submit a request to Air Canada online or through their travel agent.

As for regional routes returning to the province, Air Canada will bring back domestic services to Gander and Goose Bay by no later than June 1, 2021.

Air Canada will look to make agreements with other air carriers to restore services at the seven airports where they have withdrawn, including Wabush.

Financial Package Encouraging, says Airport Authority CEO

The President and CEO of the Gander International Airport Authority is encouraged by a federal government financial package designed to help Air Canada maintain regional routes.

Reg Wright says the last 12 months have been the worst in commercial aviation history. Wright says the news is encouraging, but the full details remain to be seen.

In the meantime, Wright expects it will be another five years before airports see a return to passenger levels seen in 2019.