Air Canada temporarily cancelling all flights to Italy due to COVID-19 outbreak

Air Canada will be temporarily suspending fight services to and from Italy starting March 11th.

In an emailed statement to Victoria Buzz, Air Canada said they will suspend services between Canada and Italy due to Italian government regulations and ongoing health and safety concerns.

The last flight departing to the European country from Canada will take place on the evening of March 10th and the last flight returning from Rome will be March 11th to Montreal.

“We continue to monitor this situation and evaluate conditions prior to resuming service; we currently plan to restart service May 1,” said the airline.

Ordinarily, Air Canada service consists of once daily flights from Canada to Rome on alternate days from Toronto and Montreal.

Any affected customers will be contacted to make alternate plans and be given travel options including a full refund.

Outside of China, Italy has been the worst affected country due to COVID-19 with the death toll jumping from 366 to 463 on Monday, according to BBC reports.

Emergency measures have been extended to the whole country of Italy as a result with all schools and universities shut down, all large public gatherings cancelled, and heavy travel restrictions in place.

The Canadian federal government has also increased the travel advisory rating for Italy, warning Canadians to avoid all non-essential travel to the country.