Air Canada is ending direct flights to Calgary from Saskatchewan starting in January 2023..Air Canada said in a statement it is rebuilding the company by using its resources most productively, with the main Canadian hubs of Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal.. Air CanadaAir Canada .“We have made the difficult decision to suspend a number of regional routes from Calgary airport effective mid-January 2023,” said Air Canada. .“While changes are made on some regional routes, it is important to note that Air Canada will continue to fly to every community it currently operates in..Saskatoon and Regina will continue to see flights to and from Toronto and Vancouver..Skyxe Saskatoon International Airport Business Development and Service Quality Vice President CJ Dushinski found the news disappointing upon learning about it. .“It’s a loss for the market and the community," said Dushinski..“We do hope to see Air Canada pick up some additional seats into their other hubs, such as Toronto and Vancouver, to help offset this loss.”.Regina International Airport Authority Customer Experience and Marketing Manager Justin Reves said Air Canada averages one flight a day and other carriers could come in to fill the gap, including low-cost carriers..“They’re going to have to look at WestJet, which currently flies about three to five times a day to Calgary from Regina and in the spring, five to six times currently in their schedule,” said Reves..“They’re [travellers] going to have to choose a different airline. But money also opens up opportunities for an ultra-low-cost carrier like Lynx, Flair, or Swoop to come in and help fill that void that was left by Air Canada … Calgary is a huge market for the city of Regina.”.Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck told reporters it is concerning as businesses need those flights and other travellers such as hunters..“I have frequently mentioned many businesses rely on that traffic coming through those direct flights,” said Beck.."It’s a huge barrier when those flights don’t exist.”. Air Canada President and CEO Michael RousseauCourtesy CBC .Economic Development Regina (EDR) CEO and President Chris Lane sent a public letter to Air Canada’s CEO, president, executive vice president, and chief operations officer.."As one of Canada's fastest growing economies and population areas, the need for connectivity and the opportunity it presents for airlines is as necessary as it is mutually beneficial,” said Lane. ."That the flag carrier airline of Canada would choose to suspend direct connectivity between these regions at this time is more than disappointing; it is ill-considered.”.Lane said "it is good for Air Canada, it is good for Regina, and it is good for the country.”.WestJet has no plan to reduce flights between Saskatchewan and Calgary.
