[codeman9669]

I really hope YEG gets more aggressive with expansion and attraction of carriers. We are doing AMAZING with #'s but need to seed our future grow here...and i just dont see it happening fast enough.

I couldnt agree more! We have been fighting for years to get airlines to notice us and view us an indepedant (of YYC) market. We finally start to make some head way, and then we shoot ourselves in the foot because we cant accomodate those airlines (well, at least at the time slots that they want. But let's be realistic, what airports dont have a majority of there service at the standard peak times - this is what we must build to accomodate...)

[Rocket252]

^ Exactly

And what bothers me is airlines who want to come in and bring in routes but are being held up by EIA and its issues.

I would be finding any way possible to accomodate them. Use those mobile people carriers if there are not enough gates. But get them in here and landing.

Because once they are here and see the potential of the airport they will hopefully look at more expansion of routes.

[CMD UW]

I really hope YEG gets more aggressive with expansion and attraction of carriers. We are doing AMAZING with #'s but need to seed our future grow here...and i just dont see it happening fast enough.
But how can we claim that they aren't given that discussions with new carriers is extremely FOIP and that plans for the expansion have already been announced.

Don't get me wrong, YEG is experiencing some growth pains, these types of plans don't happen overnight.

[Coldrsx]

^summer 07 has had basically zero announcements...thats why im complaining. We SHOULD have heard something.

[brento79]

I also think we are dealing with Airlines in the US that have a lack of aircraft/pilots.

Look at UAL and DL don't you think they would put main lines on the YEG route if they had the aircraft?

[LO 044]

I would be finding any way possible to accomodate them. Use those mobile people carriers if there are not enough gates. But get them in here and landing.

Because once they are here and see the potential of the airport they will hopefully look at more expansion of routes.
Couldn't agree more. Get some people movers from Montreal Mirabel or use a simple ETS bus. Even airports like Frankfurt use buses to ferry passengers to and from the terminal. I can understand this being a tougher sell in the winter time but walking from Gate 49 to an RJ isn't that appealing either. In fact the stairs from the aircraft are usually covered and then you hop on to a bus. I actually think this is better than the current Gate 49 system. Just charge the airline a smaller landing fee for not using air bridges at the terminal. Granted this would probably happen anyways but make it worth the airlines while.

YEG always seems to be 2 steps behind YYC. If we don't get the carriers or new routes now, or soon at least, we will be left out in the cold. This is boom time and we should be taking advantage of it. There is no Air Transat YEG-LGW route and no LTU YEG-DUS route according to someone on C2E. Yes passenger loads are up but let's keep the ball rolling.

[tuffyy]

^YEG-LGW is being operated by Zoom and Air Transat (confirmed),YEG-DUS was pulled before it started because....you guessed it,LTU aircraft shortage.Aeromexico charters are back in July (confirmed).Westjet will add some nice new flights before the end of the year (Confirmed).Westjet is planning more expansion for YEG as it has become the #3 hub for the airline and the second fastest growing market for the airline (behind YYC).North apron expansion is happening now for additional WestJet gates that will be in place by the fall.Got these right from the source,and well my boss...;)

[murman]

YEG always seems to be 2 steps behind YYC.

If by steps you meant decades, then I'm in total agreement with you.

[LO 044]

OK i guess the Air Tansat YEG-LGW flights exist. But wow, a June 27 start date for these flights? Pretty late start if you ask me. I'm curious how well they will do. Although these flights replace the My Travel flights from last year so perhaps there will be many tourists with vacation packages on these flights.

As for Edmonton being 2 decades behind Calgary. Maybe you're right. I'm curious what passenger numbers looked like 2 decades ago. The thinking seems to be 2 decades behind anyways.

[Bigtime]

Hey YEG'ers, here are the arrival and departure times plus flight numbers for AC's 777-200LR showing up on Friday there:

Arrival:

Flight ACA7077/22Jun PAE1400 YEG1625

Departure:

Flight ACA7007/22Jun YEG2130 YWG0025

Enjoy! :tup:

[EdmTrekker]

^Westjet will add some nice new flights before the end of the year (Confirmed)


What is confirmed?? What is "nice"??? Nice to me means NON-STOP to new Trans Border and Euro destinations - that is nice. What is NOT nice is more flights to YYV or YVR or YYZ - this just allows people to trickle out of here to connect on other Westjet flights or other carriers in other cities - a nose bleed. If Westjet really wantw to win our hearts (and pocket book) in this Capital Region (while driving a spike through AC) they need to serve this YEG with NONSTOPS to US destinations - driving people away from YYZ and AC. Do they have the vision and or balls for that??

[Edmonchuck]

probably not...they are CAI in WJ colors...

[tuffyy]

^When I say nice,I mean new destinations and 1 already exsisting U.S city.I cant say much as my boss frequents this forum but WestJet has had some meetings with EAA that show that they are very commited to their second fastest growing destination network wide.By the way we are also considered a WestJet hub,the #3 hub in the network.

[Jasper and one o nin]

As for Edmonton being 2 decades behind Calgary. Maybe you're right. I'm curious what passenger numbers looked like 2 decades ago. The thinking seems to be 2 decades behind anyways.

I remember in '92 calgary pax was around 4.6 million - but lots of US and International flights

[brento79]

97 they were right around 7mil. So Edmonton is about a decade behind. It isn't a catch up game really. YEG will not catch YYC just because that would cause a operation flaw for both AC and WS.

[EdmTrekker]

[QUOTE=tuffyy;By the way we are also considered a WestJet hub,the #3 hub in the network.[/QUOTE]

Oh gosh - 3rd most important "HUB" for Westjet - give me a break...Westjet is a hick of an airline. Cattle class service - one size fits all - with stupid unnessary and annoying dribble commentary and non-existant cabin service. If WJ ever comes of age and offers 1st and business class service with professional flight service - then being a 3rd HUB may mean something. Sorry if I am causing you any indigestion - but I am calling it as I see it - and yes I do travel extensively.

[tuffyy]

^I dont work for them,so no worries.So far though WestJet seems to be the only airline that has made any major increases for YEG.Reading elsewhere it sounds as though WestJet will add LAX soon in competition with AC,a few other new routes not already served will also be added from what we hear.

[ExcaliburKid]

*Cough* Orlando *Cough*

[Rocket252]

Oh gosh - 3rd most important "HUB" for Westjet - give me a break...Westjet is a hick of an airline. Cattle class service - one size fits all - with stupid unnessary and annoying dribble commentary and non-existant cabin service. If WJ ever comes of age and offers 1st and business class service with professional flight service - then being a 3rd HUB may mean something. Sorry if I am causing you any indigestion - but I am calling it as I see it - and yes I do travel extensively.

Last time I travelled on Westjet I found their cabin service a little too loose. I think they carry the casual attitude a little too far at times. Otherwise I like Westjet but agree they need to provide a business class service - especially if they intend to do more south and vacation routes.

[Edmonchuck]

Last time I travelled on Westjet I found their cabin service a little too loose. I think they carry the casual attitude a little too far at times. Otherwise I like Westjet but agree they need to provide a business class service - especially if they intend to do more south and vacation routes.

I would agree. WestJet is a fun little airline, but if they want to be a bigger contender, they'll have to be a bit more professional. Welcome to growing pains...

[LO 044]

Agree with everyone on WestJet's service. It just seems weird when you hear "Joe and Karen will be your pilots" and it seems like kindergarten on their planes sometimes. Just be professional and smile and thet'll be enough to win my vote.

Actually a bigger vote from me would be if their YEG #3 hub had more transborder flights and if they aligned themselves with some more airlines. I agree with EdmTrekker, all they really do is serve local Canadian destinations. I have heard that international destinations is where the money is for airlines so WestJet is no threat to Air Canada. I guess it's OK if you fly to YYZ for business once a week but otherwise WestJet just funnels international travellers to YYZ and YVR so they can board a British Airways, KLM, or China Airlines flight.

[Rocket252]

This would require a major philosphy shift for Westjet but it sounds like they want to go that route according to their press release a few weeks ago.

They would need to start getting bigger planes of course - 777s or 787s so instead of feeding BA, KLM and AC they would feed their own international destinations.

[murman]

Agree with everyone on WestJet's service. It just seems weird when you hear "Joe and Karen will be your pilots" and it seems like kindergarten on their planes sometimes. Just be professional and smile and thet'll be enough to win my vote.

No kidding. You are supposed to in charge of safety, so drop the cheerleader-dropout goofiness and leave it for the food court at the mall.

[Edmonchuck]

I am waiting for one to pick up a mirror and do a romper room...

I see Billy, and Patty, and Susan, and OH MY GOD......WE'RE HEADING RIGHT FOR IT!!!!!!

[murman]

I am waiting for one to pick up a mirror and do a romper room...

I see Billy, and Patty, and Susan, and OH MY GOD......WE'RE HEADING RIGHT FOR IT!!!!!!

LIKE TOTALLY!

[m0nkyman]

Just received this from my Mom. She's flying out tomorrow:


Thanks to a retired WestJet Captain for sending this "paraphrase" of a memorable safety PA from their Flight Attendents. In his own words....

"I was flying to Vancouver from Toronto this weekend, and the flight attendant reading the flight safety information had the whole plane looking at each other like "what the heck?" (Getting Toronto people to look at each other is an accomplishment.) So once we got airborne, I took out my laptop and typed up what she said so I wouldn't forget. I've left out a few parts I'm sure, but this is most of it."

(BEFORE TAKEOFF) Hello and welcome to WestJet Flight 438 to Vancouver. If you're going to Vancouver, you're in the right place. If you're not going to Vancouver, you're about to have a really long evening. We'd like to tell you now about some important safety features of this aircraft. The most important safety feature we have aboard this plane is The Flight Attendants. Please look at one now.

There are 5 exits aboard this plane: 2 at the front, 2 over the wings, and one out the plane's rear end. If you're seated in one of the exit rows, please do not store your bags by your feet. That would be a really bad idea. Please take a moment and look around and find the nearest exit. Count the rows of seats between you and the exit. In the event that the need arises to find one, trust me, you'll be glad you did. We have pretty blinking lights on the floor that will blink in the direction of the exits. White ones along the normal rows, and pretty red ones at the exit rows.

In the event of a loss of cabin pressure these baggy things will drop down over your head. You stick it over your nose and mouth like the flight attendant is doing now. The bag won't inflate, but there's oxygen there, I promise. If you are sitting next to a small child, or someone who is acting like a small child, please do us all a favor and put on your mask first. If you are traveling with two or more children, please take a moment now to decide which one is your favorite. Help that one first and then work your way down.

In the seat pocket in front of you is a pamphlet about the safety features of this plane. I usually use it as a fan when I'm having my own personal summer. It makes a very good fan. It also has pretty pictures. Please take it out and play with it now.

Please take a moment now to make sure your seat belts are fastened low and tight about your hips. To fasten the belt, insert the metal tab into the buckle. To release, it's a pulley thing -- not a pushy thing like your car, because you're in an airplane -- HELLO!

There is no smoking in the cabin on this flight. There is also no smoking in the lavatories. If we see smoke coming from the lavatories, we will assume you are on fire and put you out. This is a free service we provide. There are two smoking sections on this flight, one outside each wing exit. We do have a movie in the smoking sections tonight ... hold on, let me check what it is . Oh here it is ... the movie tonight is "Gone With the Wind."

In a moment we will be turning off the cabin lights, and it's going to get really dark, really fast. If you're afraid of the dark, now would be a good time to reach up and press the yellow button. The yellow button turns on your reading light. Please don't press the orange button unless you absolutely have to. The orange button is your seat ejection button.

We're glad to have you with us on board this flight. Thank you for choosing WestJet, and giving us your business and your money. If there's anything we can do to make you more comfortable, please don't hesitate to ask. If you all weren't strapped down you would have given me a standing ovation, wouldn't you?

(AFTER LANDING) Welcome to the Vancouver International Airport. Sorry about the bumpy landing. It's not the Captain's fault. It's not the Copilot's fault. It's the Asphalt. Please remain seated until the plane is parked at the gate. At no time in history has a passenger beaten a plane to the gate. So please don't even try. Also, please be careful opening the overhead bins because "shift happens."

[Coldrsx]

^honestly...i love the WJ stuff...sure it can go overboard a little, but unlike AC, i feel not in prison.

[Blader]

^urban legend - Here's another variation

Thanks to a retired Air Force officer for sending this "paraphrase" of a memorable public safety announcement from Alaska Air flight attendants...

"I was flying to San Francisco from Seattle this weekend, and the flight attendant reading the flight safety information had the whole plane looking at each other like 'what the heck?' (Getting Seattle people to look at each other is an accomplishment.) So once we got airborne, I took out my laptop and typed up what she said so I wouldn't forget. I've left out a few parts I'm sure, but this is most of it."

Before takeoff... Hello and welcome to Alaska Flight 438 to San Francisco. If you're going to San Francisco, you're in the right place. If you're not going to San Francisco, you're about to have a really long evening.

We'd like to tell you now about some important safety features of this aircraft.

The most important safety feature we have aboard this plane is... the flight attendants. Please look at one now.

There are five exits aboard this plane: two at the front, two over the wings, and one out the plane's rear end. If you're seated in one of the exit rows, please do not store your bags by your feet. That would be a really bad idea.
Please take a moment and look around and find the nearest exit. Count the rows of seats between you and the exit. In the event that the need arises to find one, trust me, you'll be glad you did. (This is excellent advice, and something I always do.) We have pretty blinking lights on the floor that will blink in the direction of the exits. White ones along the normal rows, and pretty red ones at the exit rows.

In the event of a loss of cabin pressure, these baggy things will drop down over your head. You stick it over your nose and mouth like the flight attendant is doing now. The bag won't inflate, but there's oxygen there, promise.

If you are sitting next to a small child, or someone who is acting like a small child, please do us all a favor and put on your mask first. If you are traveling with two or more children, please take a moment now to decide which one is your favorite. Help that one first, and then work your way down.

In the seat pocket in front of you is a pamphlet about the safety features of this plane. I usually use it as a fan when I'm having my own personal summer. It makes a very good fan. It also has pretty pictures. Please take it out and play with it now.

Please take a moment now to make sure your seat belts are fastened low and tight about your waist. To fasten the belt, insert the metal tab into the buckle. To release, it's a pulley thing -- not a pushy thing like your car because you're in an airplane -- HELLO!!

There is no smoking in the cabin on this flight. There is also no smoking in the lavatories. If we see smoke coming from the lavatories, we will assume you are on fire and put you out. This is a free service we provide. There are two smoking sections on this flight, one outside each wing exit.
We do have a movie in the smoking sections tonight ... hold on, let me check what it is .... Oh here it is; the movie tonight is Gone with the Wind.

In a moment we will be turning off the cabin lights, and it's going to get really dark, really fast. If you're afraid of the dark, now would be a good time to reach up and press the yellow button. The yellow button turns on your reading light. Please don't press the orange button unless you absolutely have to. The orange button is your seat ejection button.

We're glad to have you with us on board this flight. Thank you for choosing Alaska Air and giving us your business and your money. If there's anything we can do to make you more comfortable, please don't hesitate to ask.

If you all weren't strapped down, you would have given me a standing ovation, wouldn't you?

After landing... Welcome to the San Francisco International Airport. Sorry about the bumpy landing. It's not the captain's fault. It's not the copilot's fault. It's the Asphalt.

Please remain seated until the plane is parked at the gate.
At no time in history has a passenger beaten a plane to the gate. So please don't even try.

Please be careful opening the overhead bins because "shift happens."


Funny though

[Kevin_foster]

Hmm, I've flown WJ a hundred times and never have heard the attendants talk like that...

Anyways, if you don't like the chilled out atmosphere, why not just trolly over to Air Canada?

[Coldrsx]

^i miss the toilet paper roll drag races though...

[ibz]

119$ each way YEG to Vegas on WJ...Boo yah!

[Edmonchuck]

God...that PA announcement is INCREDIBLY old...I remember that from the PWA days...

[rapid_business]

plus taxes.... equals, $300?

[tuffyy]

WestJet is WestJet and AC is AC.Flown both a zillion times it seems and still must say that WestJet is always good for being laid back,AC is good for ''sometimes'' making you feel important.Hey We all know the carrier is doing something right,it has a fairly impressive network of destinations and one of the newest fleets in the world.In the past few years the carrier has climbed right up the back of its competition in the domestic market.WestJet was the little carrier everyone predicted would not survive,and yet look at it now.

[Rocket252]

WestJet is at a crossroads now and has to decide what it wants to be.

It is not a little carrier anymore.

[lubicon]

Another forum (Flyertalk) is reporting that AC is cutting their 2x daily YEG-YLW (Kelowna) service, effective July 1. Funny how they have never been able to make this route work but Westjet is having good success with it. :(

[Coldrsx]

Air Canada brings past, future together at International
The Edmonton Journal
Published: Thursday, June 21, 2007

EDMONTON - Air Canada will show off the old and the new Friday when its newest Boeing 777 jetliner will join the airline's original Lockheed 10A Electra on the apron at the International Airport.

The 777-200LR is flying directly from the Boeing factory at Everett, Wash., for a show and tell for employees. It is due to arrive at the Air Canada cargo area at about 5 p.m.

The Electra, which will fit under the wing of its big brother, was the first plane used by Trans-Canada Airlines in 1937. It now resides in the Western Canada Aviation Museum in Winnipeg.
COMING TO EDMONTON: Some of the next generation of airliners, from top, the Airbus A380, Airbus A330-200 and Boeing 777 are seen at Paris Air Show at Le Bourget, near Paris this week. Air Canada will display a 777 to its staff at the Edmonton International on Monday.View Larger Image View Larger Image
COMING TO EDMONTON: Some of the next generation of airliners, from top, the Airbus A380, Airbus A330-200 and Boeing 777 are seen at Paris Air Show at Le Bourget, near Paris this week. Air Canada will display a 777 to its staff at the Edmonton International on Monday.
Reuters
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Air Canada's 777-200LR has 42 executive first-class seats and 228 economy seats, while the 777-300ER is configured for 42 executive seats and 307 economy seats.

Both planes will be used on the airline's new daily non-stop service from Vancouver to Sydney later this year.


© The Edmonton Journal 2007

[Kevin_foster]

The one thing that I don't ever want to see is the unionization of the WJ employees.

Anyone have any speculation on the issue? A union would drag WJ into the mud, along with every other airline.

[lubicon]

As long at the WJ employees are happy they have no reason to join a union, and they are a pretty happy bunch right now. I've got a few friends who are pilots for them and for them there is no reason to form a union. They are very happy with things the way they are now...good pay, good benefits, good working conditions. What would they have to gain by unionizing?

[Jasper and one o nin]

I think unions are the #1 thing that plagues airlines. I think thats why WJ's additude about keeping the employees happy is key to their success.

[Coldrsx]

apparently it was announced by the EAA at a UDI luncheon that the hotel is indeed UC.

[brento79]

In regards to Air Canada pulling the Kelowna flight, you'll probably continue to see adjustments like that.

From my understanding Air Canada is really focus on YYC (as usual). The Victoria flight is rumoured to be axed in the next few months as well.

YEG will not be left out totally. Rumour has it that Whitehorse is on AC and WS list to be added from YEG. YZF is now going to 1x daily in the fall with the announced YVR route.

2007 flight announcements for YEG will probably happen within the next few weeks as July is when Fall schedules are introduced.

[Rocket252]

With all due respect to Whitehorse and Yellowknife We need more flights south - ie transborder.

Sounds like Air Canada is going back to their old ways again with regards to YEG.

[brento79]

Air Canada hasn't really changed there ways with YEG. They want to ensure Edmonton doesn't compete with there Hub system. Having to many point-to-points out of YEG creates to strong of a hub.

Northern flights are Edmonton best options for hubbing as the market already exists.

Transborder flights are on there way...just don't expect to much from Air Canada.

[ExcaliburKid]

I can confirm that the Kelowna route is being axed. My cousin had a flight booked there from YEG, they cancelled it, told him it will be routed through YYC now. When he tried to rebook, as he didnt want to go through YYC, the only other option was YVR. No YEG anywhere on the list. Pathetic.

[rapid_business]

that's retarded. This is where WJ will prosper. If they step up to the plate that is.

[Rocket252]

Yes WestJet Time to step up to the plate and compete with AC on some of these routes more.

And EIA give WestJet some gates to work with ASAP.

[Coldrsx]

interesting rumours flying around with YEG...

sounds like some big boys are looking at it for port alberta.

[ExcaliburKid]

^Excellent! Port Alberta is the only thing that will push the airports growth, imo.
Well, not the ONLY thing, but I do believe it will play a monstrous role.

[Rocket252]

Hockey rumors, YEG rumors, Tower Rumors.

Enough Already

Lets see some announcements.

[Jasper and one o nin]

Air Canada Media Advisory

CELEBRATION WILL BE RESCHEDULED DUE TO BOEING 777 AIRCRAFT DELIVERY DELAY



EDMONTON, June 22, 2007

Air Canada advises Edmonton media that today’s celebration of past and future aviation will be rescheduled to a later date due to a delay with today’s Boeing 777 aircraft delivery.

[ibz]

Well here are some new confirmed scheduled flights from YEG for all ya:

"WestJet said its scheduled service will be into San Jose del Cabo, Mazatlan, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo and Manzanillo from Edmonton and Calgary, and to San Jose del Cabo and Manzanillo from Vancouver"

[ibz]

WestJet receives clearance from Ottawa to operate scheduled flights to Mexico

2007-06-23 00:43:00






A WestJet airplane waits its turn on Runway 24 Right, at Pearson International Airport. (Ernest Doroszuk, Toronto Sun)

CALGARY (CP) - WestJet Airlines Ltd. (TSX:WJA) has been given clearance by Ottawa to provide scheduled service to Mexico.

Federal Transport Minister Lawrence Canon said Friday that WestJet, along with Skyservice Airlines Inc., and Sunwing Airlines Inc. are now designated to operate scheduled international air services between Canada and Mexico.

Air Transat, a holiday travel airline owned by Montreal-based tour operator Transat A.T. Inc. (TSX:TRZ.B), was also given the go-ahead to operate additional scheduled air services between the two countries, in accordance with the existing bilateral air transport agreement.

"I am pleased with these new services, which will provide more options for Canadians travelling to Mexico on scheduled air services," said Canon in a release.

Canada's international air transportation policy requires all Canadian air carriers apply for designation to operate scheduled international services.

WestJet called the new destination a "tremendous opportunity for the airline," which had been seeking scheduled routes to Mexico and the Carribean.



Previously, WestJet had offered scheduled flights to 26 domestic cities, 11 U.S. destinations and one international site - the Bahamas.

Air Canada, its major competitor, has scheduled service covering 67 Canadian destinations, 53 U.S. locations and 56 markets in South America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, Mexico and the Caribbean.

"This news ensures that our strategic plan of continued international expansion is on course," Sean Durfy, WestJet president, said in a release.

WestJet said its scheduled service will be into San Jose del Cabo, Mazatlan, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo and Manzanillo from Edmonton and Calgary, and to San Jose del Cabo and Manzanillo from Vancouver.

Although the designation is effective immediately, WestJet said it will unveil the new flights after studying its winter schedule plans.

WestJet said it will continue to provide its charter flights through Transat Tours Canada.

WestJet and Transat have a partnership agreement until 2010 that allows tour operators Transat Holidays and Nolitours, both Transat units, to charter WestJet aircraft flying out of more than 20 Canadian cities to 20 sun destinations. including Mexico.

Prior to the announcement, WestJet shares closed up 15 cents to $15.80.

[Rocket252]

These don't sound like direct flights from YEG - more like flights out of Calgary which we have to connect to.

[tuffyy]

^Some will be nonstop from YEG and some are same plane with a stop in YYC for passengers but no change of plane.These routes were all offered in the winter from YEG as charters.

[EdmTrekker]

^Some will be nonstop from YEG and some are same plane with a stop in YYC for passengers but no change of plane.These routes were all offered in the winter from YEG as charters.

US based airlines fly from here to points south and connect in PHX, SLC etc - so unless these are NONSTOP from Edmonton (not direct after landing in Calgary) I am not interested. Flights that previously (charter) that were non-stop and now are stopping in Calgary are a step backward. If that is what Westjet is upto - folks here in Edmonton will not like that.

[Rocket252]

^ exactly

If we have to connect through Calgary it is the same as a lot of flights Westjet offer. Just have to route through Calgary again.

[CMD UW]

US based airlines fly from here to points south and connect in PHX, SLC etc - so unless these are NONSTOP from Edmonton (not direct after landing in Calgary) I am not interested. Flights that previously (charter) that were non-stop and now are stopping in Calgary are a step backward. If that is what Westjet is upto - folks here in Edmonton will not like that.

Tell me how you were able to render that conclusion from the new release? It doesn't say anything about connecting in YYC, YVR, etc, etc.

[EdmTrekker]

Tell me how you were able to render that conclusion from the new release? It doesn't say anything about connecting in YYC, YVR, etc, etc.

What I said was (and please read) "If that is what Westjet is upto - folks here in Edmonton will not like that.". The proof will be in the pudding.

Irrespective - the announcement may have a direct impact on traffic from YEG to (1) Delta to SLC, (2) US Airways to PHX and (3) Horizon to SEA - as many people now fly those routes to Mexico. Example: ME - and others who choose to fly commercial and not charter for a varuety of reasons. I and a host of people from Edmonton do this 3-4 times each year. These US airlines may reduce frequency and/or plane size if they see a softening in traffic - which will likely occur. Of course this will benefit Westjet - one way or the other - but neccessarily YEG. But if the flights from YEG are direct and though YYC - we could be hit between the eyes - twice.

How do I come to such conclusions?? I travel a lot and only fly commercially and use US airlines to Mexico. And I am not a turnip - and do discuss issues like this and the impact it could have local tour operators and travel agencies. I am sure the folks at EIA are thinking about this right now as well.

But lets hope that if we lose some flights on US airlines because of Westjet offering "scheduled" service, we may that up by getting more Mexican desinations, with frequent non-stop service. Seeing only one flight to Seattle a day and cutting back to SLC with one flight - might just be in the cards.

[CMD UW]

/\ Sounds like you are becoming more and more of a whiner. I too travel alot and welcome the new scheduled service.

I'm also not worried about this new service having a major impact on our US carriers. There is enough demand to go around.

[EdmTrekker]

/\ Sounds like you are becoming more and more of a whiner. I too travel alot and welcome the new scheduled service. I'm also not worried about this new service having a major impact on our US carriers. There is enough demand to go around.

I am not a whinner. Do not confuse strategic thinking with whinning. Here by the way is a link (at the bottom) to a CNW Press Release that listed all the flights apporoved by the Federal Government for Western Cities. I have bolded the YEG ones:

CITY-PAIR DESIGNATIONS FOR AIR SERVICES BETWEEN CANADA AND MEXICO
-----------------------------------------------------------------

The 1961 Canada - Mexico bilateral Air Transport Agreement, as amended in
1999, governs scheduled air services between the two countries.
As of June 2007, the new airline designations for own-aircraft scheduled
air service from Canada to Mexico are as follows:

Air Transat:
- Vancouver - Manzanillo
- Victoria - Puerto Vallarta
- Calgary - Manzanillo
- Edmonton - Manzanillo
- Regina - Puerto Vallarta
- Regina - Cancun
- Saskatoon - Puerto Vallarta
- Saskatoon - Cancun

(*) These supplement the carrier's existing city-pair designation
allocations.

WestJet:
- Vancouver - San Jose del Cabo
- Vancouver - Manzanillo
- Calgary - San Jose del Cabo
- Calgary - Mazatlan
- Calgary - Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo
- Calgary - Manzanillo
- Edmonton - San Jose del Cabo
- Edmonton - Mazatlan
- Edmonton - Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo
- Edmonton - Manzanillo

Skyservice Airlines Inc.:
- Victoria - Puerto Vallarta
- Edmonton - San Jose del Cabo
- Regina - Puerto Vallarta
- Regina - Cancun
- Saskatoon - Puerto Vallarta
- Saskatoon - Cancun
- Ottawa - Acapulco
- Toronto - Cozumel
- Toronto - Huatulco

Sunwing Airlines Inc.:

- London - Cancun



http://www.cnw.ca/fr/releases/archive/June2007/22/c8466.html

[EdmTrekker]

I did not add the purple face under Transat - must have popped on when I cut and paste.

[ibz]

Those all seem like pretty good additions to me.

[CMD UW]

/\ Yep, don't know why Mr. E is complaining....

[CanadianCentaur]

I did not add the purple face under Transat - must have popped on when I cut and paste.

You can get rid of the purple (un)smilie - just hit the Edit button in your post.

Those all seem like pretty good additions to me.

Agreed. :tup:

[tuffyy]

^Please remember that these flights are only the ones that have been approved to be operated as scheduled flights,there will still be many sunspot flights from YEG this winter as charters.

[LO 044]

So i went for a visit to Seattle this past weekend. Some observations i had.

Horizon flight 2319 to Seattle was about 50-60% full. Horizon flight 2318 to Edmonton was 100% full. The entire ride back to Edmonton was turbulent/uncomfortable with the aircraft just hovering over high clouds. I have never flew Horizon's RJ's, not sure if they are better.

I think Horizon's service is sub par at best. Checking in, there was only one ticketing agent with about 15 people in line. Once i got through, i found that US customs was closed between 4:30pm and 5:00pm. What's up with that? Is this a common occurence at the EIA? I would have thought that Edmonton was large enough to have at least one US customs officer on duty during the day.

On the way back, the Seattle airport is pretty good although Horizon's departure area is too small and packed with people standing around. Perhaps they will address this someday. The flight was late by 30 minutes because we had to wait for a crew member from another flight. Like i said before, a bumpy ride and i'm not sure if using an RJ would make a difference.

Some important notes on Seattle. They have public bus service for $1.25 ($1.50 in peak hours) to downtown. It's a half hour ride, can't beat it. A rail line to the airport is scheduled to open in 2009.

The museum of flight in Seattle is very impressive especially when it comes to historical information/displays. Most air enthusiasts would find it interesting especially the older ones who were around during WWII. Great displays on WWI and WWII. I highly recommend it.

I also took the Boeing tour. It is OK but all you really see is the hangar and the planes parked near the runway. The guide babbles on about how great Boeing is yet most of the components are built overseas by Kawasaki and Mitsubishi. The Boeing plant is really a place where parts are put together. You can't really call Boeing (and probably Airbus as well) an American airplane today.

And for that AC Boeing 777 visiting Edmonton? Yes it didn't happen this past weekend. I saw AC's 777 at the plant. One AC 777-200LR and one AC 777-300ER were parked in full Air Canada colors near the runway. One AC 777-200LR was inside the plant at the final parking position in terms of assembly unpainted. The unpainted one will be Air Canada's 7th Boeing 777. I have pictures of the two aircraft outside although the zoom on my camera isn't the best. You'd need a professional camera (ie. a lens with a high zoom) to get a great pic. Still, if anyone wants to post the pics, let me know and i'll send them to you. I don't know how to post pics on here.

[lubicon]

On the downside:

Not only is AC cutting the Kelowna flights, they are apparently cutting the Victoria nonstop and one of the Yellowknife nonstops. Not sure how many flights they were running to Kelowna, but YEG is losing at least 3 daily flights from AC.

On the upside:
Westjet is upping Abbotsford to 2x daily and Comox is also going daily. Also CMA is looking at picking up the Peace River route from the now defunct Peace Air.

You win a little, you lose a little.

[Coldrsx]

^very true, but we should be winning more and losing less...

[Rocket252]

How about some NEW seasonal routes like Orlando or Fort Lauderdale.

Oh the joys of not being a major hub.

[Coldrsx]

Flyb From Canada, joined Aug 2006, 197 posts, RR: 0
Posted Wed Jun 27 2007 11:18:53 your local time (53 minutes 59 secs ago) and read 49 times:

Just a few highlights on growth direct from YEG:

Growth YTD = 18%
EIA is Canada's fastest growing major airport and one of the fastest in the world.
EIA has recorded 17 consecutive months of double-digit growing and double-digit growth in 25 of the past 29 months.

Largest Markets without non-stop service from YEG past 12 months:

Domestic = Prince George 18,000 E/D passengers / St. John's 17,000 E/D / Nanaimo 15,000 E/D
Transborder = Florida 83,000 E/D passengers / Hawaii 49,000 E/D / New York 36,000 E/D
International = Hong Kong 17,000 E/D passengers / Manila 14,000 E/D / Beijing 10,000 E/D

Beijing is also the fastest growing international market with 40% growth in the past 12 months.

East Asia traffic continues to grow. The region is now YEG's second largest overseas market after Western Eruope with over 60,000 passengers in the past 12 months. This translates into five full Boeing 767s per week.

In the past 12 months, nearly 50,000 peoplel flew from YEG to Orlando,FL without non-stop service. That is equal to one full 737 each day. Another 30,000 people flew into other Florida destinations from YEG.

[CMD UW]

/\ Wow, wow, wow....

All I have to say is down with Cabotage!!!!

[ExcaliburKid]

Cold, thats some unreal info there. Especially regarding East Asia traffic. I am baffled why YEG isnt getting these non-stops. Expand the airport already!!! Quit dickin around and get the ball rolling. This is the type of info that major carriers need to be force fed, imo.

[Coldrsx]

EDMTREKKER posted that from C2E...but yah...unreal numbers.

How about a 3 x weekly to HK and 3 x weekly to Beijing:>

[ExcaliburKid]

^With EDMTREKKERs numbers there, I dont see whats holding airlines back, other than available slots. I would imagine those routes would succeed.

[brento79]

I think it is the lack of risk the airline industry can take. The numbers look good, but is Edmonton the best place to invest right now? The short answer is no. However it is one of the safer ones.

I am not usually down on YEG, but I do see YVR gaining more asian flights and maybe one from YYC in the next few year. The only way YEG will gain a flight is if it is from someone outside the star alliance...

[Edmonchuck]

So i went for a visit to Seattle this past weekend. Some observations i had.

Horizon flight 2319 to Seattle was about 50-60% full. Horizon flight 2318 to Edmonton was 100% full. The entire ride back to Edmonton was turbulent/uncomfortable with the aircraft just hovering over high clouds. I have never flew Horizon's RJ's, not sure if they are better.

.


Nice to see QXE hasn't changed. Of you were on the new Dash, then yes, each and every ride I've had on that is rough as hell. THe RJ is much much much much much much much much much better, 10k+ in altitude differnce makes a smoother ride.

[Edmonchuck]

The only way YEG will gain a flight is if it is from someone outside the star alliance...


yup:shrug:

[Coldrsx]

china air?

[EdmTrekker]

china air?

Its Air China not China Air - although who cares. I have flown Air China from SFO to Shanghai on a 747 and it was like a 1* airline when I flew it. It was a 747 :) kind of modified...with the "North Americans" on the top deck and national Chinese flying economy below - "and in the aisles" drinking bottles of home brtewed tea concoctions. There were at least a 100 people sitting in the aisles in excess of available seating!! I put up with this because I missed my flight on a US airline out of SFO with full points...a few years back. Worst flight, food and exp. I have had - and I have travelled our precious little earth.

[Coldrsx]

air china then...i know many people who like flying it.

[rapid_business]

I flew China Southern from Zhengzhou to Haikou a couple of years ago on a ATR 72. (72 seater prop.) Smoking and the whole 9 yards was a go. An Chinese businessman who wanted to practice his English moved to sit beside me and smoked like a chimney the whole flight. To top it off, some weird purple smoke came out of a vent and flooded the whole plan to 'cleanse the cigarette smell' as my new best-friend the chimney smoker told me.

It sure was different from the norm.

[Rocket252]

Sounds like Chinese airline horror stories day yesterday.

Even if we have the traffic for far East routes I think Calgary would get a flight sooner than us and we will route through them.

That and YVR as well. There are a tons of flights from there.

The realities of living close to hubs

[Edmonchuck]

more the reality of not being a hub for any network...

[MalcolmTucker]

^With EDMTREKKERs numbers there, I dont see whats holding airlines back, other than available slots. I would imagine those routes would succeed.

Not having available slots is a pretty big impediment to new flights, as are half century old ICAO agreements. Also, even if you could support a flight, all the money is made on business and first seats, so you need not just backpackers going to Thailand, but people willing to spend ten times as much.

It just makes sense to route through Vancouver for Edmonton, since the flights are so frequent anyways.

[LO 044]

all the money is made on business and first seats, so you need not just backpackers going to Thailand, but people willing to spend ten times as much.

It just makes sense to route through Vancouver for Edmonton, since the flights are so frequent anyways.
Exactly.

[EdmTrekker]

An extract

http://www.whitehorsestar.com/auth.php?r=47651


Air North enjoyed jump in revenue and passengers

By TREVOR WALES

Air North held its annual general meeting on Tuesday evening to cap off what president Joe Sparling calls another successful year.
One hundred and sixty shareholders showed up at the meeting to discuss the achievements of the company over the past year, and where it’s headed in the future.
“It was a strong year, I’m very happy for us,” Sparling said in an interview this morning.
Air North generated $37.5 million in revenue in the past year, up 25 per cent from the previous year.
Ridership also rose from just under 100,000 passengers to approximately 107,000 passengers.
The airline also moved four million pounds of cargo, which also experienced a slight increase from the previous year.
“The shareholders present were all pretty happy,” Sparling said. “There wasn’t much in the way of concerns.”
Come September, class-C shareholders with Air North will have to choose from two offerings.
If they want their money back, they can turn in their shares. Or, they can convert them into a different type of shares if they wish to retain their flight dividends.
Sparling suspects the majority will convert them to a different type in order to hold onto their flight benefits.
Air North has almost 600 shareholders.
Sparling said the airline is exceeding expectations in the Alberta market, where it’s experiencing larger-than-expected passenger loads.
Air North currently flies to Calgary and Edmonton four times a week. It may begin flying there five times weekly to accommodate the bigger loads over the summer season.While it hasn’t been as successful within the Yukon and British Columbia, Sparling said both passenger and cargo traffic had still increased in those markets from the previous year.
The company recently launched a television ad campaign on Global television. It also painted the tails of all its aircraft orange and added a Yukon logo to the aircraft.
“It’s really distinctive and eye-catching,” Sparling said. “In all the places we go, people are able to identify us as from the Yukon.”
The airline will be doing interior refurbishments on all of its aircraft in the near future, such as replacing the cabin upholstery, and Sparling said it also has a couple long-term plans.
He said there is the possibility of bringing in a newer generation of Boeing aircraft for the airline’s southern routes within the next year, and that they would like to begin offering jet service to its northern destinations of Dawson City and Old Crow.
Before it adds jet service, however, there will have to be infrastructure improvements such as runway work, which is up to the territorial government.
Sparling said Air North has been encouraging the government to think about making such improvements.

[brento79]

Delta is looking at adding LAX-YEG per airliners.net

[EdmTrekker]

AC to China

Interesting article saying AC is having trouble with freight to China - so much competition. Makes me wonder who will be surving in the end.

http://www.domain-b.com/aero/June/2007/20070626_air_canada.htm

Capacity glut: Air Canada terminates freighter operations to China
26 June 2007

Toronto: Air Canada will terminate its freighter operations to China at the end of this month, and return a leased MD-11 freighter to ACMI provider, World Airways. The Canadian carrier was running an all-cargo service between Shanghai and Toronto.

According to Claude Morin, president, Air Canada Cargo, capacity glut and declining yields forced the decision, and pointed to the multitude of trans-Pacific freighter flights from Shanghai that have been launched over the past year.

Over the past year, US carriers such as UPS and Polar have boosted their Shanghai operations. Chinese carriers, Shanghai Airlines and Yangtze River Express, too, have commenced US flights, and Jade Air Cargo was poised to start a B747-400ERF operation from its hub at Shenzhen via Shanghai to Vancouver and Houston this month.

Industry analysts acknowledge that yields in the trans-Pacific market have suffered as capacity has increased. The market is hurting more with new entrants adding capacity to an already over-served market.

Air Canada has been gradually scaling back its China freighter operation. Eight months back it handed one of the two MD-11 freighters it was operating on the route, back to the leasing company and reduced the frequency of it flights to Shanghai's Pudong airport from five to three flights a week.

Air Canada still has daily passenger flights to-and-from Pudong, which still deliver some 90 tonnes of cargo a week to the market.

[EdmTrekker]

Delta is looking at adding LAX-YEG per airliners.net

Thats odd - I read the post. But the flight is supposedly being operated by Xjet - and they do not have an agreement with Delta (right now). Check out their website.

http://xjet.com/

ExpressJet Airlines, Inc.
With over 7,000 employees, ExpressJet is one of the world’s largest regional air carriers—providing quick, comfortable flights to business travelers through both commercial and corporate aviation.
In addition to its own commercial service, ExpressJet Airlines operates a fleet of Embraer jets as Continental Express to more than 150 destinations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
Our customers get friendly, efficient service and comfortable leather seating. ExpressJet Airlines also owns and operates ExpressJet Training Services, which provides outsourced training services.
ExpressJet Services, LLC
ExpressJet Services, LLC provides third-party maintenance, repair and overhaul services for a variety of aircraft types. The business has multiple facilities in the United States. Its 25,000 square foot Shreveport, Louisiana facility is FAR 145-certified and one of the only airline thrust reverser facilities for the Embraer Regional Jet in North America.

[EdmTrekker]

I am now correcting myself (sort of). The ExpressJet site does not say they operate for Delta or even show LAX as a destination. But the Delta Connection site indicates under "Partners" the following:

Delta Connection
ExpressJet also flies under the name Delta Connection, supporting the regional service efforts of Delta Air Lines. One of a half-dozen Delta Connection carriers, our partnership with Delta provides instant access to hundreds of North American cities.

Having said this - its kind of confusing as to what is what. But indeed if we do get the daily flight - hurray for Hollywood (great place btw)!!

[tuffyy]

^Good to see AC getting competition on the route.Rumor has it that WS also wants YEG-LAX aswell.The ERJ-145 is a good airplane having flown on one from IAH-RSW on CO.

[LO 044]

I would imagine WestJet's 737-600/700/800's would trump the ERJ-145 in terms of passenger comfort. AC's E-190's are a different story, they are supposedly more comfortable than Boeing 737's or Airbus 320's. Although i have never flown the ERJ-145, i have friends that have and they weren't impressed. Still, some competition for AC can't be a bad thing.

[brento79]

I hate them, their worst than a crj200

[EdmTrekker]

County adopts airport policy
Ensures commercial flights still head to city

by Conal MacMillan
Wednesday July 04, 2007

The Strathcona Airport won’t be landing commercial flights any time soon even though the recent expansion gives it the capability to land 70-passenger planes.
County council approved a policy last week limiting the size of planes that can land at the Josephburg facility in response to residents’ concerns as well as concerns from the Edmonton Regional Airports Authority (ERAA).
The ERAA was concerned that the $7.4 million upgrade to the 120-acre airport would mean commercial flights could start to land at the county airport.
“Shell is, I believe, about 7 per cent of their business at the city centre airport. So, (the ERAA is) concerned about the loss of income,” said Coun. Jacquie Fenske, who represents the ward in which the airport sits.
However, the new policy makes it clear that the county isn’t interested in accepting commercial flights at the facility.

The policy allows Strathcona County to assure the ERAA that it has no interest in changing regional air service plans, said David Churchill, airport manager. Besides, he added, the airport has no lounge, no terminal building and no cargo bay to support commercial operations such as Air Jazz, Air Canada’s economy planes.
“They could actually come into the site, it’s big enough,” he said adding that the county doesn’t really want that service. The county only wants to provide the infrastructure to service the Industrial Heartland, he said.
Shell, who paid $5.6 million toward the upgrades, will continue to be permitted to land its planes at the airport which is a few kilometres south of its Scotford complex. But other interested industry in the Heartland will have to apply to be able to use the facility.
Fenske said she’s not aware of any industries having taken that step.
The policy also allows the airport manager to restrict the flight patterns of planes, which some Josephburg residents at an open house had concerns with, Fenske said.
The policy also has provisions that allows the airport manager to restrict or suspend other activities.
“If there is a concern with the noise, the policy now allows us to put restrictions into hours of operation or when the jet engines can run up,” Churchill said.
The policy will come before council again in January so they can review it and make any necessary changes.
cmacmillan@sherwoodparknews.com

[Coldrsx]

June Numbers....HOLY CRAP!


dom-434,105 up 20.2%
trans-54,525 up 15.2%
intl 17,487 up 182.9%
------------------------
total 506,117 up 21.7%

[Coldrsx]

for reference....2006

2006 - june:

dom - 359,928
tran - 48,589
intl - 6,182
-------------------
tot - 414, 699



or


92,000 more people in 30 days went through YEG....unreal!

[CMD UW]

/\ UNreal.....holy sh*t!!!

To be honest, I hope they are fasttracking the new terminal, because growth like this is going to bust YEG more than it already is. It's going to get worse folks.

[ibz]

I even had to wait in line at Sparro last time! I agree the way things are going, we havent seen nothing yet when it comes to congestion.

Those #s are incredible though.

[CanadianCentaur]

I would imagine WestJet's 737-600/700/800's would trump the ERJ-145 in terms of passenger comfort. AC's E-190's are a different story, they are supposedly more comfortable than Boeing 737's or Airbus 320's. Although i have never flown the ERJ-145, i have friends that have and they weren't impressed. Still, some competition for AC can't be a bad thing.

I've found AC's E190s about the same comfortwise or only slightly better than in a 737NG or A320. But you sure don't have to worry about middle seats in Y. The E190's not a bad plane to fly in.