WestJet is ending direct flights between Brandon and Toronto this winter, the City of Brandon said Sunday.

The service was introduced earlier this year as a trial run. WestJet offered four flights a week between Brandon and Toronto this summer and planned to offer the service all year beginning in late October, but the city says, due to "very sluggish" demand the company decided not to.

In July the airline admitted demand for the flights had been "slower than what we were hoping for."

Passengers who have existing bookings for flights on the Brandon-Toronto route will be contacted by the company to make alternate arrangements through rerouting or refunding, said the city.

The city noted WestJet will continue to operate a daily, direct flight mid-day between Brandon and Calgary.

Beginning Oct. 23, the airline will expand service between the two western cities to include an early morning departure flight and later day return three times a week.

Brandon Municipal Airport is currently being expanded and renovations are set to complete in 2017.