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Coldrsx
Aug 16, 2007, 7:14 PM
when are we going to see these:

USA

-Boston
-New York
-Orlando
-Washington

tarapoto
Aug 16, 2007, 8:10 PM
^agreed.

as for driving time, it is about 2.5hrs.

I've done it in under 2

Coldrsx
Aug 16, 2007, 8:56 PM
^as have i, but generally 2.5hrs is normal.

Edmonchuck
Aug 16, 2007, 9:03 PM
Anything under 2.5 and you are running into that little "dangerous driving, so gimmie your license and we'll give you a new place to sleep" territory...

ExcaliburKid
Aug 16, 2007, 9:26 PM
when are we going to see these:

USA

-Boston
-New York
-Orlando
-Washington

Werent JFK and DUL on Reg Milleys "To Do List"?

Jasper and one o nin
Aug 16, 2007, 10:04 PM
I've done it in under 2

I used to go to calgary weekly. I timed it from ellerslie road to the first overpass in calgary (just n of YYC)
I drove fast and never broke 2 hours. best time was 2:05ish. So I call bullshit

ExcaliburKid
Aug 16, 2007, 10:16 PM
My cousin and I got from Okotoks to Edmonton in under 2 hours, but we had the Avalanche going 180km/h on cruise....it can be done, albeit illegally :D

Jasper and one o nin
Aug 16, 2007, 10:39 PM
My cousin and I got from Okotoks to Edmonton in under 2 hours, but we had the Avalanche going 180km/h on cruise....it can be done, albeit illegally :D

LIAR!
Im sorry for getting off topic, but the Avalanche has a governor (sp) that will not let it go that fast. second, no you didn't
Okotoks to Edmonton 336 km. Average speed would have to be 168 km/h
Im sorry but I have driven hwy 2 to calgary professionally (20 yrs ago) and it was too busy at any time to maintain a constant speed of anything over 130 km/h.
Anyways, lets stay on topic.

lubicon
Aug 17, 2007, 1:22 AM
when are we going to see these:

USA

-Boston
-New York
-Orlando
-Washington

I honestly can't see any of these any time soon. Maybe Orlando (Westjet) but that's still a lonshot too.

Best bets - Houston and/or Dallas.

ibz
Aug 17, 2007, 4:53 AM
I have easily maintained an avg speed of over 130km all the way to calgary, ive driven it many many many times. Although that is only possible some days of the week...many times, id have to agree its not necessarily possible.

Coldrsx
Aug 17, 2007, 3:42 PM
^i typically do 125-130km/h avg...but i go at off times.

I have done it at an average speed of 150km/h at 2am once.

Hardhatdan
Aug 17, 2007, 4:14 PM
I drove to Ponoka one day averaging 150+ km/h when I was really late for work...it was 7am ish and probably a bad idea.

Rocket252
Aug 17, 2007, 5:53 PM
Sounds like a pissing contest.

How about getting back to the topic.

Why would Wilkepedia have a Paris - Edmonton flight starting Feb 2008.

People must be dreaming.

Coldrsx
Aug 20, 2007, 6:07 PM
Air Canada increases service on key Western Canada routes; boosts
Edmonton-London Heathrow service to daily year-round; adds new
seasonal sun destinations from Vancouver

VANCOUVER, Aug. 20 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada announced today that it is
increasing frequencies on key Western Canada routes this winter including
offering the only daily, non-stop flights from Edmonton to London Heathrow,
and daily, non-stop flights from Calgary to Halifax. Air Canada will also
introduce new, non-stop seasonal services from Vancouver to Ixtapa and Los
Cabos in Mexico. Previously announced new routes beginning this winter include
the only daily, non-stop flights from Vancouver to Sydney, Australia featuring
the carrier's new flagship Boeing 777 aircraft, and the only daily, non-stop
flights from Vancouver to Yellowknife.
"Air Canada is the first airline to offer year-round, daily international
scheduled flights from Edmonton with its non-stop flights to London Heathrow,
reflecting global travel demand to and from the robust energy region of
Northern Alberta," said Daniel Shurz, Vice President, Network Planning. "We
look forward to offering our customers new travel opportunities with the only
non-stop flights from Vancouver to Sydney and from Vancouver to Yellowknife.
We are further strengthening our network in Western Canada by strategically
adding new seasonal winter sun vacation destinations from Vancouver, as well
as additional frequencies on key routes from Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary."

Vancouver highlights:
---------------------

On December 1st, Air Canada Jazz will launch seasonal flights to
Yellowknife with 50-seat CRJ aircraft, complementing daily flights from Air
Canada's most northern Canadian destination to Edmonton and Calgary. Flights
have been timed to offer convenient connections to and from Japan, and points
within British Columbia.
On December 14th, Air Canada will launch the only daily, non-stop flights
to Sydney, Australia with Boeing 777 aircraft. Air Canada's Boeing 777
aircraft features the carrier's new in-flight product, as well as the only
truly lie-flat beds offered by a North American airline in business class.
The new seasonal Vancouver to Los Cabos and Ixtapa flights will be
offered weekly starting December 21st and 22nd respectively onboard 120-seat
Airbus A319 aircraft, offering a choice of Executive and Economy class
service. Air Canada customers may purchase Air Canada Vacations' all-inclusive
holiday packages directly through www.aircandavacations.com or by contacting
travel agents in Canada.
This winter, Air Canada will continue its daily non-stop service to
Sacramento launched this past summer. Service to Tokyo/Narita, Japan will
increase to a total of nine flights each week. Also, the carrier will add
additional daily flights from Vancouver to: Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary,
Edmonton, Prince George, Kamloops, Kelowna, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Edmonton highlights:
--------------------

From Edmonton, Air Canada continues to offer the only daily, non-stop
flights to London Heathrow, the world's busiest international gateway, up from
three times weekly when the carrier launched the route last December.
This winter, Air Canada will increase daily flights from Edmonton to:
Ottawa, Winnipeg, Fort McMurray and Vancouver.

Calgary highlights:
-------------------

From Calgary, Air Canada will continue offering daily non-stop flights to
Halifax and Prince George launched earlier this year, linking Canada's energy
centre to two key domestic cities. Twice daily non-stop flights launched this
past summer to Seattle will also continue this winter. Air Canada is also
adding additional frequencies from Calgary to: Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver and
Winnipeg.

tuffyy
Aug 20, 2007, 6:16 PM
AC upgrading the YEG-LHR flight to daily year-round is great news.The 767-300 is packed all the time.Now bring on YEG-FRA!!!

Coldrsx
Aug 20, 2007, 6:17 PM
^no kidding...not to mention 7,500,000 2008 PAX

tarapoto
Aug 20, 2007, 6:50 PM
I used to go to calgary weekly. I timed it from ellerslie road to the first overpass in calgary (just n of YYC)
I drove fast and never broke 2 hours. best time was 2:05ish. So I call bullshit

I timed it too, 1:52, I albeit I did start timing it from the deerfoot, not from my house, sooo it could have been slightly over 2, but I'm not that far from deerfoot

Paper Boy
Aug 21, 2007, 6:39 AM
I have easily maintained an avg speed of over 130km all the way to calgary, ive driven it many many many times. Although that is only possible some days of the week...many times, id have to agree its not necessarily possible.

130-140 KPH is realistically the fastest average time one can do between the 2 cities. The number of police and the high traffic volumes prohibit much higher speeds. Getting tickets slows you down :)

The #1 from Calgary to Kelowna is a different story though. If you do it at the right time, you can average higher speeds. (in spite of the fact there is only 150K of FREEWAY) I recently covered the distance -Driveway to Driveway-McKinley in Kelowna to Crestmont in Calgary- in 4 hours 50 min) Although BC#97 and #1 traverse through cities and towns where one has to slow down.....I averaged at least 155 KPH in rural areas with a peak speed of 250K coming down the hill eastward before crossing the river that flanks Golden. I have a photo of the odometer (I have never figured out how to post photos here yet)

P.S. I would NEVER attempt this in a typical passenger vehicle. They do not have the stability or engineering to navigate the mountain curves safely at this speed....and the 250K...the car would have gone faster but I chickened out!

Rocket252
Aug 21, 2007, 1:14 PM
130-140 KPH is realistically the fastest average time one can do between the 2 cities. The number of police and the high traffic volumes prohibit much higher speeds. Getting tickets slows you down :)

The #1 from Calgary to Kelowna is a different story though. If you do it at the right time, you can average higher speeds. (in spite of the fact there is only 150K of FREEWAY) I recently covered the distance -Driveway to Driveway-McKinley in Kelowna to Crestmont in Calgary- in 4 hours 50 min) Although BC#97 and #1 traverse through cities and towns where one has to slow down.....I averaged at least 155 KPH in rural areas with a peak speed of 250K coming down the hill eastward before crossing the river that flanks Golden. I have a photo of the odometer (I have never figured out how to post photos here yet)

P.S. I would NEVER attempt this in a typical passenger vehicle. They do not have the stability or engineering to navigate the mountain curves safely at this speed....and the 250K...the car would have gone faster but I chickened out!

Please send your name and address to the RCMP for their "stupidity files".

Now back to discussion of YEG. With the recent events in Cancun were there any extra flights bringing people back to YEG?

I heard an empty Westjet Plane was sent down to pick up people.

ExcaliburKid
Aug 21, 2007, 1:32 PM
^A colleague of mine had his flight cancelled before they left YEG over the weekend. They were heading to Cancun.

Coldrsx
Aug 21, 2007, 3:38 PM
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/yegplans.jpg

ExcaliburKid
Aug 21, 2007, 3:44 PM
^And when can we expect this? Cause we needed it yesterday!

Coldrsx
Aug 21, 2007, 3:48 PM
we better have a significant amount of the terminal side of this within 5yrs.

4unot2no
Aug 21, 2007, 9:01 PM
I was reading EIA website that edmonton has the 6th largest catchment area of all canadian cities for a total of 1.2 million people within 160 within 160KM radius of edmonton.

So my question is what is the catchment area for the 5 largest areas in canada?? How does this impact the success of EIA and attracting new flights???

Klaus Doberman
Aug 21, 2007, 10:26 PM
130-140 KPH is realistically the fastest average time one can do between the 2 cities. The number of police and the high traffic volumes prohibit much higher speeds. Getting tickets slows you down :)

The #1 from Calgary to Kelowna is a different story though. If you do it at the right time, you can average higher speeds. (in spite of the fact there is only 150K of FREEWAY) I recently covered the distance -Driveway to Driveway-McKinley in Kelowna to Crestmont in Calgary- in 4 hours 50 min) Although BC#97 and #1 traverse through cities and towns where one has to slow down.....I averaged at least 155 KPH in rural areas with a peak speed of 250K coming down the hill eastward before crossing the river that flanks Golden. I have a photo of the odometer (I have never figured out how to post photos here yet)

P.S. I would NEVER attempt this in a typical passenger vehicle. They do not have the stability or engineering to navigate the mountain curves safely at this speed....and the 250K...the car would have gone faster but I chickened out!

Going that fast in anything other than an exotic sports car (Ferrari, Lamborghini) You're asking for trouble. That's just stupid, if you hit a bump or the slightest dip or rise you'd be dead right now.

tuffyy
Aug 22, 2007, 2:43 AM
I once got to YYC from YEG in 40 minutes going 500mph on a 737,so beat that...Back to YEG topics and enough of the ''I went this fast'' in this car stuff...

Coldrsx
Aug 22, 2007, 3:27 AM
^ok...sounds good...cept it is very possible and not overly dangerous at 140-150km.h

tarapoto
Aug 22, 2007, 6:24 AM
The best part is my high speed wasn't even that fast. I got up to 180km/h after Red Deer and people were still blowing by me at 190-200

Edmonchuck
Aug 22, 2007, 4:58 PM
sigh...kelowna to Calgary in just under 5 hours...that sounds just like the stupid and moronic speeds that resulted in some idiot making a bad pass and getting into a head on collision with a semi that he didn't see coming the other way....killing my sister....

But hey, it was a "really cool" collision. To save a couple of hours Peachland to Red Deer, this moron decided that ending up in a fireball, having my sister burnt so bad that all we buried was a couple ribs and a tibia, being only able to identify her because her bag was thrown well clear of the accident site (some 2000 feet away), and scarring the semi driver for life that too this day he is still a blubbering mess some 5 years later...yeah, that was worth it....:hell:

Jasper and one o nin
Aug 22, 2007, 5:24 PM
Yeah, come on enough is enough. This is a thread about YEG, not how some site where you can lie about have fast you can drive. There was a time when I came to this site because I thought there was some interesting and inteligent conversation about development - now its come to this.

Rocket252
Aug 22, 2007, 6:08 PM
Where is the moderator for these threads?

Edmonchuck
Aug 22, 2007, 6:15 PM
^And when can we expect this? Cause we needed it yesterday!

The terminal plans are well underway. The third runway is still a while off, probably 20 years at least. In reality, there is a heck of a lot of capacity with the existing set up, and getting even CAT I ILS on 20 would greatly increase YEG's all weather capacity. THe advantage we have...unlike Calgary where 10/28 intersects 16/34, we have no such problem...and no such hold short demands... We could cycle arrivals on 30 and dpeartures off of 02 for example...or arrive on 20 and depart 12....or whatever.

Our only true limiting factor is terminal slots...

ExcaliburKid
Aug 22, 2007, 6:19 PM
This is a public forum, what do you expect?

So hows the Port Alberta thing coming along? Is there anything of interest to report regarding that project?

Edmonchuck
Aug 22, 2007, 6:22 PM
This is a public forum, what do you expect?

So hows the Port Alberta thing coming along? Is there anything of interest to report regarding that project?


...not that anyone is saying publicly. There is a lot going on and support is being solicited for the duty free status from the Feds. Without giving away my source, I can't say too much more so anything would simply sound like rumor...

...but one stumbling block has to do with a certain city and a certain airport being a bit upset that their place is not the one being positioned for this, so a certain leader is having some reservations....about the duty free status for YEG or even public lipservice support for Port Alberta in Edmonton...

ExcaliburKid
Aug 22, 2007, 6:25 PM
The terminal plans are well underway. The third runway is still a while off, probably 20 years at least. In reality, there is a heck of a lot of capacity with the existing set up, and getting even CAT I ILS on 20 would greatly increase YEG's all weather capacity. THe advantage we have...unlike Calgary where 10/28 intersects 16/34, we have no such problem...and no such hold short demands... We could cycle arrivals on 30 and dpeartures off of 02 for example...or arrive on 20 and depart 12....or whatever.

Our only true limiting factor is terminal slots...

Cool, thanks for the info. Ive always like the setup of YEGs runways, good planning imo. So I guess we can expect the NW terminal addition in relatively short time then? Or do those plans also include the SW terminal as well?

Also the Marriot is progressing through design stages as well. I know they have just finished sizing the mechanical equipment for the building, and from what I saw, it will be a damn nice hotel, for an airport anyway. 7 Storeys alltogether.

ExcaliburKid
Aug 22, 2007, 6:30 PM
...not that anyone is saying publicly. There is a lot going on and support is being solicited for the duty free status from the Feds. Without giving away my source, I can't say too much more so anything would simply sound like rumor...

...but one stumbling block has to do with a certain city and a certain airport being a bit upset that their place is not the one being positioned for this, so a certain leader is having some reservations....about the duty free status for YEG or even public lipservice support for Port Alberta in Edmonton...

Hmm interesting. Glad to see things are moving along though. Can't this other, nameless city, give us a break here? Its imo that YEG is at a very strategic spot, and why not use it? Would it not be cheaper here anyway?

Edmonchuck
Aug 22, 2007, 6:54 PM
Hmm interesting. Glad to see things are moving along though. Can't this other, nameless city, give us a break here? Its imo that YEG is at a very strategic spot, and why not use it? Would it not be cheaper here anyway?

I believe the right heads will prevail. There is more at stake than ego, and many people are realizing this. As our resources and economy increasingly look north of Highway 1, ego will be a moot point.

So, it is more heartburn that will give some extra negotiation cycles to the project IMO.

Edmonchuck
Aug 22, 2007, 6:56 PM
Cool, thanks for the info. Ive always like the setup of YEGs runways, good planning imo. So I guess we can expect the NW terminal addition in relatively short time then? Or do those plans also include the SW terminal as well?



My opinion, it is on both, although construction on the NW is the key item right now. There are some other terminal configurations I've seen floating around, so the SW as is may not be the final...although a betting man would say it is.

Coldrsx
Aug 22, 2007, 7:44 PM
Leduc property values double near airport
Ron Chalmers, edmontonjournal.com
Published: 12:55 pm

EDMONTON - Property values near Edmonton International Airport have doubled since Leduc County started planning a new industrial area.

The county has hired consultants to prepare an area structure plan for 4,000 hectares of agricultural land north and west of the airport.

"I anticipate seeing major developments," said Rick Stuckenberg, the county's planning manager. "We think the first level of interest would be industrial. We're also hoping to attract high-end business-park development."
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Already, "property values in the plan area have more than doubled in the past 12 to 14 months," he said. "We have seen sales ranging from $35,000 to $55,000 per acre ($14,000 to $22,000 per hectare) for farm property with buildings."

More industrial land is needed because "we're seeing fairly significant growth in the economy," Stuckenberg said. "We see this as a prime opportunity to do some strategic land planning."

The land is convenient to the airport, Nisku, Hwy. 2 and Hwy. 19.

The consultants, EBA of Calgary and EXH of Red Deer, are preparing a concept plan to propose appropriate forms of land use.

The county will consult with the federal government about air traffic, with the provincial departments of environment and infrastructure and transportation, with neighbouring municipalities and with agricultural officials.

Within the plan area, "the predominant current land use is agricultural with some very viable and good farms, predominantly quarter sections plus a couple of churches," Stuckenberg said.

Removing land from agricultural production is "one of the main issues we need to look at," he said.

Kevin Hughes at the Edmonton branch of CB Richard Ellis, a commercial real estate broker, said his office already has seen "a fair amount of activity" among buyers and sellers in the plan area.

Converting family farms to industrial land "is logical because the airport is planning an expansion and the sound impact will become severe" on nearby residents, he said.

More industrial land is needed because "land is running out in Leduc, and there is no more land left in Nisku," Hughes said. "Economics, as always, will drive the situation."

Stuckenberg expects the area structure plan to be completed for consideration by the county council early next year.

rchalmers@thejournal.canwest.com

Klaus Doberman
Aug 22, 2007, 11:18 PM
...

Hardhatdan
Aug 23, 2007, 12:53 AM
I hear Leduc county is trying to rezone land north of the airport to prevent the City from annexing it...rumor is its rezoning to acerages.

Anyone hear something about this? It would spell disaster for future LRT service and making the airport at least SEEM closer by having the City edge right there.

IKAN104
Aug 23, 2007, 1:57 AM
I hear Leduc county is trying to rezone land north of the airport to prevent the City from annexing it...rumor is its rezoning to acerages.

Anyone hear something about this? It would spell disaster for future LRT service and making the airport at least SEEM closer by having the City edge right there.

See the article Cold posted above. Sounds like industrial lots, not residential acreages.

CMD UW
Aug 23, 2007, 2:18 AM
I hear Leduc county is trying to rezone land north of the airport to prevent the City from annexing it...rumor is its rezoning to acerages.

Anyone hear something about this? It would spell disaster for future LRT service and making the airport at least SEEM closer by having the City edge right there.
No, the County has a plan that designates the lands adjacent to the City for Country Residential. However, I've been told that there are discussions between the two municipalities regarding annexing 2 miles south of the current city boundary.

Hardhatdan
Aug 23, 2007, 3:10 AM
No, the County has a plan that designates the lands adjacent to the City for Country Residential. However, I've been told that there are discussions between the two municipalities regarding annexing 2 miles south of the current city boundary.
Hmm, I heard a different story today...we will have to talk.

Jasper and one o nin
Aug 23, 2007, 4:36 AM
I hear Leduc county is trying to rezone land north of the airport to prevent the City from annexing it...rumor is its rezoning to acerages.

Anyone hear something about this? It would spell disaster for future LRT service and making the airport at least SEEM closer by having the City edge right there.

that would have municipal government board hearings written all over it

Edmonchuck
Aug 23, 2007, 5:09 PM
Something tells me COL 25 and CofE are in talks as CMD mentions. COL 25 knows the city is moving south...aggressively....could have something to do with the title of this thread...

brento79
Aug 23, 2007, 7:15 PM
So with all the talks of YYC getting new International service...KLM is being rumoured. Does the ERAA have anything lined up? Check out this picture.
http://www.stratosphereaviation.com/displayimage.php?album=1&pos=6

Coldrsx
Aug 23, 2007, 7:25 PM
best pic of YEG i have seen to date with regards to airside.


http://www.stratosphereaviation.com/albums/userpics/10001/DSC15066.jpg

brento79
Aug 23, 2007, 8:36 PM
shows how busy it can get in the afternoon.

Bokimon
Aug 24, 2007, 4:42 AM
Cool, it looks like Kirky is still busy as usual covering all the goods around YEG. Love his photos!
Also a fellow spotter friend who I havent talked to since 2004 ish.
Some very interesting movements, especially all those classic 737s still going heavily around Edmonton.

brento79
Aug 25, 2007, 4:58 PM
ok so i went to book a flight to houston again. I am tired of no non-stop flight. With so much business down there and my planes being full of edmontians heading to TX why can't we get something?

Even UAL could make this route a success because of there codeshare with AC. COME ON!!!!! Time to start making some noise.

IKAN104
Aug 25, 2007, 6:52 PM
How is it that we lost this route in the first place?

Jasper and one o nin
Aug 25, 2007, 6:54 PM
yeah, i dont get that one either. That route was VERY successful

CanadianCentaur
Aug 25, 2007, 7:04 PM
I think it might have been because Continental was having a serious shortage of aircraft, so it had to use its 737-500s elsewhere. But I could be wrong. I hope CO returns or someone else picks up the slack.

brento79
Aug 25, 2007, 9:53 PM
yeah, i dont get that one either. That route was VERY successful

It was until they placed it as a red eye only.

tuffyy
Aug 25, 2007, 11:01 PM
YEG-IAH is a busy sector.CO pulled the aircraft as it was needed elsewhere.YEG did produce money it was just that the 735 could produce more money elsewhere.I am very surprised the route has not been restarted by CO or taken over by AC.Reg Milley does think it will be added in 2008 though so we can only hope...

brento79
Aug 26, 2007, 1:04 AM
they said it would be back in 2007:) YEG hasn't had any transborder news this year;

Jasper and one o nin
Aug 26, 2007, 3:09 AM
Westjet could go to Houston. If not IAH, maybe Houston Hobby. Why not? It could be their first US business route as oppose to their vacation routes

EdmTrekker
Aug 26, 2007, 6:21 AM
I am curious what others on our YEG Forum may see as the impact that the SkyTeam alliance Transatlantic Alliance from Europe to the USA may have on Canada and YEG more specifically. Also, as Martinair will be 100% owned by KLM (Owners now supp[ort sale of all assets to KLM) and the new Martinair CEO/President is the former head of Marketing from KLM (August 22/07 appointment).

http://www.thetransnational.travel/news.php?cid=airline-alliances-transatlantic.Aug-07.22

Air Alliances Maneuver for Transatlantic Positioning
by David Jonas

22 August 2007 - Several requests by U.S. airlines and their overseas partners to further integrate operations are pending at the U.S. Department of Transportation. Along with objections filed by competitors, the applications reflect the intense maneuvering now underway in the transatlantic market as the United States and Europe prepare for the March 2008 activation of a liberalized aviation agreement. Members of each of the three leading airline alliances--Oneworld, SkyTeam and Star Alliance--as well as codeshare partners Continental Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Airways, await word from DOT regarding their intentions to more closely align sales, strategies and schedules. Representatives of each partnership have long insisted that such coordination can benefit their multinational corporate clients.

First submitted in June, the SkyTeam application requests antitrust immunity between Air France, Alitalia, CSA Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Northwest Airlines, as well as "a joint venture agreement between Air France, Delta, KLM and Northwest that would create a comprehensive and integrated partnership." SkyTeam has collected support from several circles, including travel management professionals and other executives among Northwest Airlines' corporate clients. Representatives from BASF Corp., Cardinal Health, CH2M Hill, Dow Chemical Company, Goodyear, Harman International, ICG Commerce, Jeld-wen, Johnson Controls, Textron and Volkswagen were among the dozens of clients who each signed a form letter submitted to DOT, stating, "We welcome the enhanced transatlantic service and competition Northwest and its SkyTeam partners would create with their expanded alliance." In his filing to DOT, American Standard Companies global strategic sourcing director Thomas Barrett suggested that further SkyTeam integration "would offer substantial advantages to business travelers [and] consumers including improved flight schedules, reduced travel times, new service and lower fares." Barrett noted that Northwest is the "No. 1 most utilized carrier" for his company's managed travel program, which serves more than 10,000 travelers. To "remain competitive with other transatlantic alliances," Oneworld partners American Airlines, Iberia, Finnair, Malev Hungarian Airlines and Royal Jordanian Airlines also applied to DOT for antitrust immunity. The application covers code sharing, revenue sharing, pricing, distribution systems, route planning and other areas. Already part of an immunized bilateral pact with Finnair, American suggested in its initial DOT filing that Iberia, Finnair, Malev and Royal Jordanian consider a multilateral alliance "essential to their long-term competitive viability under applicable open skies regimes." "The combined market shares of American and the other joint applicants are comparable to, or well below, the transatlantic market shares enjoyed by members of the immunized Star and SkyTeam alliances," American explained. According to one of AA's filings, SkyTeam's Delta Air Lines had the largest passenger share between the United States and Europe, 11.9 percent, for the 12 months through April 2007. It was followed by Oneworld's British Airways (11.1 percent), Star's United Airlines (10.8 percent) and Lufthansa (9 percent), and American (8.8 percent). "Our argument has consistently been that while antitrust immunity and open skies agreements have the potential to benefit consumers, those benefits will not be fully passed on to consumers until there is more than an immunized global alliance duopoly between Star and SkyTeam," according to a subsequent AA filing. Yet, Oneworld's European anchor British Airways was not included in the immunity request. AA and BA have tried on several occasions to win ATI approval from DOT, but were not willing to pay the price: surrendering hundreds of landing and departure slots at London Heathrow Airport. Meanwhile, although SkyTeam member Continental Airlines was not included in the alliance's latest ATI request, and Virgin Atlantic does not participate in any global partnership, the two carriers in July asked DOT to extend bilateral rights for their marketing agreement. Specifically, they requested renewal of existing authority to share codes on certain transatlantic services, as well as certain flights beyond each carrier's gateway airports. The airlines said such authority would otherwise expire on 21 September 2007. In a more contentious request, the carriers asked for approval to place Continental's code on Virgin's Chicago-London Heathrow service, effective this week. Noting that Continental already shares codes on Virgin's Heathrow service to Los Angeles, Miami, New York JFK, Newark, San Francisco and Washington, US Airways urged DOT to deny the Chicago-London request: "Granting Continental further Heathrow authority beyond the scope of its present holding ... would only serve to widen the inequity between carriers with access to the critical London Heathrow market and its consumers, and carriers that remain completely shut out." United Airlines lodged a similar objection, but asked DOT to allow it to share codes with Star partner bmi between Heathrow and the United States, should Continental and Virgin win approval for their expanded codeshare request. Separately, bmi and United Airlines also asked DOT to remove conditions on their antitrust immunity and allow it to take effect in March 2008, given the completion of Open Skies negotiations. Of the three key alliances, Star already enjoys the deepest degree of immunity between members. As always, Heathrow remains the focal point of new transatlantic competition. Though the new Open Skies agreement ostensibly opens the airport to additional airlines interested in serving routes to and from the United States--beyond incumbents AA, BA, Virgin and United--the practical matter of obtaining slots has set off a new wave of jockeying among alliances. Air France-KLM, for example, reportedly has agreed to give some of its Heathrow slots to SkyTeam partners Continental, Delta and Northwest. "It appears that [London] Gatwick will retain some services from the U.S. as an alternative for those wishing to avoid Heathrow," according to a recent report from Unisys Transportation Management Consultants. "Whether or not pricing differentials will exist is unclear. However, if slots at Heathrow continue to have extraordinary value, it is conceivable that alternative price points would be used to differentiate the value of those slots."

Edmonchuck
Aug 26, 2007, 3:47 PM
Westjet could go to Houston. If not IAH, maybe Houston Hobby. Why not? It could be their first US business route as oppose to their vacation routes

...because, like CO, WestJet thinks they can use the plane on more "profitable" routes. Add the reality that they will do a Calgary run first...

brento79
Aug 26, 2007, 4:37 PM
However West Jet is running out of options within Canada. And if they are going to add to there US business traveller options IAH from YEG would be one of the first I would assume.

Sometimes I wish I could just ask the questions to the head guy.

tuffyy
Aug 26, 2007, 5:14 PM
To put things into perspective,EAA approached AC shortly after CO bailed on the YEG-IAH flights.Traffic records were presented to AC showing the loads and cargo for the sole flight.It was shown that AC could easily fill 1 1/2 CRJ-705 aircraft for the flight(s).The only problem that AC presented was that it could threaten loads on the YYC-IAH flights (also flown by CRJ-705's).AC does have competition from YYC to IAH by none other than CO (with 737's).Taking away the YEG connections to YYC for the flight would lower loads and potentially AC frequencies to IAH from YYC.CO operations in YYC also see a high number of YEG connector's.What it comes down to is AC doesnt want to loosen things too much for the YYC ''hub''.The traffic is here in YEG but AC either need's to loosen up a little or CO need's to return.CO still is rumored to be the one who will re-start the route once aircraft allocation permits it.

Jasper and one o nin
Aug 26, 2007, 5:21 PM
...because, like CO, WestJet thinks they can use the plane on more "profitable" routes. Add the reality that they will do a Calgary run first...
More profitable because they can charge more/mile on another route?
Westjet YYC-IAH would compete with AC's route. At least with YEG there would be no competition. Maybe YEG-YYC-IAH (I remember going to IAH on AA and I would go (same plane) YEG-YYC-DFW-IAH)

brento79
Aug 26, 2007, 8:54 PM
Yep per mile, or more roi to there hub at IAH.

If we wait for CO I would say it will be 2009 before we see IAH. Isn't that when they start getting their new 737's?

brento79
Aug 27, 2007, 10:37 PM
AGH!! Just booked a flight to ORD in two weeks. Had to go via SLC (paid 1500) COME ON!!!!

Why is it that YYC has 5 flights a day to SFO when we have 1. STUPID. YES I AM PISSED. While I like having the option of flying to 10+ cities in the US, I never get on the direct flights when I want them.

Coldrsx
Aug 27, 2007, 10:44 PM
5 versus 1.......ridiculous

Rocket252
Aug 28, 2007, 1:28 AM
AGH!! Just booked a flight to ORD in two weeks. Had to go via SLC (paid 1500) COME ON!!!!

Why is it that YYC has 5 flights a day to SFO when we have 1. STUPID. YES I AM PISSED. While I like having the option of flying to 10+ cities in the US, I never get on the direct flights when I want them.

So people are forced to go through YYC or YVR and then the airlines pull the routes because of lack of business.

Nice job Air Canada

Edmonchuck
Aug 28, 2007, 1:28 AM
...but unfortunately with the star alliance - a reality.

brento79
Aug 28, 2007, 2:52 AM
Well I am still in shock. I can't believe how poor the service is to the US from Edmonton considering the growth up here. People can't even fly Edmonton first because all the connection flights are booked except via yyc.

Until we see cabotage, westjet start business flights verses holiday travel things aren't going to change.

The ERAA hands are tied as well. :hell: :hell: :hell: :hell: :hell: :hell: :hell:

Edmonchuck
Aug 28, 2007, 5:04 AM
Until we see cabotage, westjet start business flights verses holiday travel things aren't going to change.


yup:shrug: :whip: :hell:

brento79
Aug 28, 2007, 3:13 PM
So to be proactive with my frustration. I wrote WestJet a letter requesting them to enter the YEG-IAH market. I said it would be one of there first successful business markets since YEG is so Pro westjet to begin with.

Never hurts.

tuffyy
Aug 28, 2007, 8:04 PM
^That is a great idea Brent,YEG-IAH does have alot of traffic both pax and cargo.I dont see them flying YYC-IAH if they do add IAH as they would have to deal with alot of competition by AC 3 times daily,and CO twice daily.With the current market YEG-IAH just makes sense.

brento79
Aug 28, 2007, 9:12 PM
Out of all WestJet's potential routes for business travellers what is better than YEG-IAH? I just can't see anything! Hopefully they think the same.

LO 044
Aug 29, 2007, 7:06 PM
Just got back from a lengthy vacation from Europe using Air Canada. I thought i'd post some comments. My route was the following:
AC 1156 to YYZ on an A320
AC 872 to FRA on a 773
AC 877 to YYZ on an A330
AC 135 to YEG on an E190

The Airbus 320 was refurbished with the seatback TV screens. This was the first time i was on an AC refurbished plane and i was very impressed. Loads of channels whether it be TV, movies, or music. A much better selection than on WestJet. If/when AC completes these upgrades on most/all of their aircraft, they will have pretty good standards in competeing with international carriers and locally WestJet. Of course, i don't find WJ leather seats that comfortable so i have no problem in AC not changing their seats to leather.

The Boeing 777 was a nice plane. It of course had all the bells and whistles ie. seatback TV's, that special lighting that changes from pink to blue to whatever to help you get in the mood of sleep. But besides that it was OK. I've had the same if not more comfortable rides on a 767 or A330 and as i later found out, i preffered the A330 over the 777.

The A330 had no seatback TV's but it had a 2-4-2 seat configuration so having a window seat meant you only had to climb over 1 person to get to the bathroom. One major thing i noticed was that a window seat on the A330 has a lot of legroom between the seat and the window wall/side of the aircraft. In the 777 my legs were cramped sitting in the window seat and the 777's 3-3-3 seat configuration of course meant that i had to climb over 2 bodies to get anywhere. Perhaps these are just my preferences but again i would choose an A330 over a 777.

The E190 is the best of both worlds. Seatback TV's and a 2-2 seat configuration. This plane is very comfortable and the ride was smooth in general.

The last flight on the E190 was delayed by about 20 minutes but other than that AC was on time.

It took me less time to pick up my bags in Frankfurt than it did when returning home and picking them up in Edmonton. The only other flight arriving at YEG at that time was an AC flight from YVR. I have heard others complain about this issue at YEG regarding late baggage pickup and i must agree.

I also tried to get on earlier flight from YYZ to YEG but it was overbooked by 15 people. Go figure. I'm curious how many people get funneled via YYZ. My choice to fly via YYZ was simply to fly on the 777 and E190 and the price i paid for my trip to Europe in the middle of summer was ridiculuosly cheap and i could not get the same price or schedule to Frankfurt via LHR.

I look forward to any comments or questions.

EdmTrekker
Aug 29, 2007, 10:50 PM
Just got back from a lengthy vacation from Europe using Air Canada. I thought i'd post some comments. My route was the following:
AC 1156 to YYZ on an A320
AC 872 to FRA on a 773
AC 877 to YYZ on an A330
AC 135 to YEG on an E190

The Airbus 320 was refurbished with the seatback TV screens. This was the first time i was on an AC refurbished plane and i was very impressed. Loads of channels whether it be TV, movies, or music. A much better selection than on WestJet. If/when AC completes these upgrades on most/all of their aircraft, they will have pretty good standards in competeing with international carriers and locally WestJet. Of course, i don't find WJ leather seats that comfortable so i have no problem in AC not changing their seats to leather.

The Boeing 777 was a nice plane. It of course had all the bells and whistles ie. seatback TV's, that special lighting that changes from pink to blue to whatever to help you get in the mood of sleep. But besides that it was OK. I've had the same if not more comfortable rides on a 767 or A330 and as i later found out, i preffered the A330 over the 777.

The A330 had no seatback TV's but it had a 2-4-2 seat configuration so having a window seat meant you only had to climb over 1 person to get to the bathroom. One major thing i noticed was that a window seat on the A330 has a lot of legroom between the seat and the window wall/side of the aircraft. In the 777 my legs were cramped sitting in the window seat and the 777's 3-3-3 seat configuration of course meant that i had to climb over 2 bodies to get anywhere. Perhaps these are just my preferences but again i would choose an A330 over a 777.

The E190 is the best of both worlds. Seatback TV's and a 2-2 seat configuration. This plane is very comfortable and the ride was smooth in general.

The last flight on the E190 was delayed by about 20 minutes but other than that AC was on time.

It took me less time to pick up my bags in Frankfurt than it did when returning home and picking them up in Edmonton. The only other flight arriving at YEG at that time was an AC flight from YVR. I have heard others complain about this issue at YEG regarding late baggage pickup and i must agree.

I also tried to get on earlier flight from YYZ to YEG but it was overbooked by 15 people. Go figure. I'm curious how many people get funneled via YYZ. My choice to fly via YYZ was simply to fly on the 777 and E190 and the price i paid for my trip to Europe in the middle of summer was ridiculuosly cheap and i could not get the same price or schedule to Frankfurt via LHR.

I look forward to any comments or questions.

Whats to say - other than I fly Non-Stop from YEG - as in Fly Edmonton First.

ibz
Aug 29, 2007, 10:50 PM
When AC gets their new planes and finishes the upgrades on the other, they will have the best fleet in North America anyways.

Coldrsx
Aug 29, 2007, 11:20 PM
when AC gets their 777 and 787, YEG will see FRA on a 767

EdmTrekker
Aug 30, 2007, 1:07 AM
when AC gets their 777 and 787, YEG will see FRA on a 767


Please let it be announced soon - as I am booking for next year already and I would rather not have to fly AC into LHR, as I need to be on the continent. I have flown on Martinair many times as it is Non-Stop - but as it is a charter airline the dates rarely work so I must make compromises. Same with charters into FRA. We need daily Non-Stop into AMS and FRA (and Berlin better than FRA - which with consolidation of the three Berlin airports will replace FRA, as the German HUB within 5 years and it would be great to secure gate space and build a route now).

Interesting that the Air France/KLM GROUP are "integrated" on many flights to North America. This is more than Code Share - it is total financial integration.

(http://www.airfranceklm-finance.com/flash/EN/Carte/Carte.htm)

Air France/KLM GROUP is now (apparently) the largest passenger "airline" in the World. Some are saying that it may be KLM or the Air France/KLM GROUP (SkyTeam) that are the rumoured new route for AMS-YEG-YYC and YYC-YEG-AMS (or a derivation thereof). That or AC will finally cough up YEG to FRA.

LO 044
Aug 30, 2007, 1:47 AM
Please let it be announced soon - as I am booking for next year already and I would rather not have to fly AC into LHR, as I need to be on the continent. I have flown on Martinair many times as it is Non-Stop - but as it is a charter airline the dates rarely work so I must make compromises. Same with charters into FRA. We need daily Non-Stop into AMS and FRA (and Berlin better than FRA - which with consolidation of the three Berlin airports will replace FRA, as the German HUB within 5 years and it would be great to secure gate space and build a route now).
This is exactly why i couldn't fly non-stop to Europe. I couldn't make the dates or arrival/departure times work with Martinair and Air Transat's schedules. I too was looking for a YEG-FRA non-stop flight this year but sadly i will have to wait til my next trip.

LO 044
Aug 30, 2007, 2:28 AM
Forgot to mention one important thing about my recent YEG-YYZ-FRA-YYZ-YEG trip. On 3 of 4 flights the aircraft had seatback TV's. One of the many available channels had promo videos. One video was about Thailand if i remember correctly and the other? Yes, Edmonton. Not a bad little video and every little bit of advertising helps.

There was also a one page color advertisement in Air Canada's enRoute magazine. At the bottom of the advertisement, the sponsors included Edmonton Tourism, the Destination Marketing Hotels of Edmonton and Travel Alberta. There were 2 draws advertised for packages to Edmonton estimated at $2000 and $10000. Hats off to the people trying to raise Edmonton's place as a tourist destination. I was pleasently surprised at both advertisements,

Jasper and one o nin
Aug 30, 2007, 2:48 AM
^yeah, I saw that one too. Not bad. Its the one where the couple are looking at a monitor in the airport and all destinations are Edmonton...

brento79
Aug 30, 2007, 4:00 AM
Interesting that the Air France/KLM GROUP are "integrated" on many flights to North America. This is more than Code Share - it is total financial integration.

(http://www.airfranceklm-finance.com/flash/EN/Carte/Carte.htm)

Air France/KLM GROUP is now (apparently) the largest passenger "airline" in the World. Some are saying that it may be KLM or the Air France/KLM GROUP (SkyTeam) that are the rumoured new route for AMS-YEG-YYC and YYC-YEG-AMS (or a derivation thereof). That or AC will finally cough up YEG to FRA.

Air France owns KLM now so they are the same company. Who is stating that there is a possible AMS-YEG-YYC route? From Airliners? That would be amazing.

Coldrsx
Sep 1, 2007, 6:35 PM
so i was cleaning out my old room and found a few things including the 1998-2018 "YEG MASTER PLAN"...im sure some of this is outdated and incorrect, but fun to look at anyway. Enjoy!

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01617.jpg

Coldrsx
Sep 1, 2007, 6:35 PM
Hotel

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01618.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01621.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01626.jpg

Coldrsx
Sep 1, 2007, 6:36 PM
oh the numbers....:>

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01619.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01620.jpg

Coldrsx
Sep 1, 2007, 6:39 PM
misc. everything:

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01622.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01623.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01624.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01625.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01627.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01628.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01629.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01630.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01631.jpg

Coldrsx
Sep 1, 2007, 6:50 PM
more than a few rumours running around about YEG-FRA on LH now...

tarapoto
Sep 1, 2007, 7:07 PM
when AC gets their 777 and 787, YEG will see FRA on a 767

No, they won't. The 767's are going to be retired and replaced with 787's

Jasper and one o nin
Sep 1, 2007, 9:41 PM
those plans are pretty neat. I wonder why they would not go with the centre finger as part of their expansion.

LO 044
Sep 2, 2007, 7:41 AM
more than a few rumours running around about YEG-FRA on LH now...
Rumors from where? What website? Or do you have some inside sources you can't divulge.

tuffyy
Sep 2, 2007, 1:34 PM
Yes,rumors are pointing at LH entering the Alberta market on a codeshare basis with AC.YEG and YYC both seem to be inline on this one.Offcourse we are only hearing the YYC bit.2008 will hopefully finally produce this long overdue route for YEG.

adeep88
Sep 2, 2007, 2:42 PM
Got back from a vacation to Orlando.

Flew from EDM to ORL via Denver
-flights from and to Edmonton both 90% full, perhaps a bit more.
- Denver's airport, although nice, felt a bit ordinary for a major US HUB. Personally, I like YVR much better
- The guys sitting infront of me on the way back from Denver to YEG, had a another flight ahead to YYC. Must be Denver to YYC was sold out?
- They threw out my shaving cream at YEG. Idiots.
- Ridiculous pictures of Edmonton's skylines coming in from the US arrivals at customs, and another one at arrivals. Can't update or find better pictures?
- No movie or TV from Edmonton to Denver. One beverage and pretzles, that's it. No newspaper either.
- For all the criticism Edmonton gets about having it's airport located 10-15 minutes out of town, Denver's is a good 30 minutes, in the middle of nowhere.
- Saw a sign. $44 CAB to city center, and "only" $56 for LIMO. They really need ETS going to the Airport

Coldrsx
Sep 2, 2007, 4:43 PM
^yup...the skyline pictures here are drab, grey, poor angles...etc.

Riise
Sep 2, 2007, 6:01 PM
We need daily Non-Stop into AMS and FRA (and Berlin better than FRA - which with consolidation of the three Berlin airports will replace FRA, as the German HUB within 5 years and it would be great to secure gate space and build a route now).

With there being lots of talk about LH entering YEG and YYC and considering the fact that YYC-MUC might not be that great for connections, I'm starting to think the new flights might be YEG-FRA and YYC-SXF/BER on LH. Either that or YEG & YYC-FRA until the Berlin transformation is complete.

LO 044
Sep 3, 2007, 12:20 AM
With there being lots of talk about LH entering YEG and YYC and considering the fact that YYC-MUC might not be that great for connections, I'm starting to think the new flights might be YEG-FRA and YYC-SXF/BER on LH. Either that or YEG & YYC-FRA until the Berlin transformation is complete.
Another interesting addition to the large rumor mill. Let's hope this guy works for Lufthansa.
http://forums.jetphotos.net/showthread.php?t=40244

As well, KrisYYC over at the Skyscraper YYC thread says not to abandon the idea of another YYC-FRA route so perhaps it would be a YYC-YEG-FRA route or perhaps YEG and YYC splitting 7 flights a week in some way.
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=90565&page=43

As for flights to Berlin. I highly doubt this will happen anytime soon. The only international flight on LH (or UA i think) is to Washington D.C. (if that's even still the case) so why would LH choose Calgary as its 2nd international flight out of TXL. Secondly, there is basically no connections at TXL or SXF so strike 2. Thirdly, LH wants to build up MUC as a 2nd hub to FRA and until that happens, Berlin will not play a major role as a gateway to anywhere anytime soon. This topic has been talked about a lot especially on airliners.net.

EdmTrekker
Sep 3, 2007, 2:05 AM
As for flights to Berlin. I highly doubt this will happen anytime soon. The only international flight on LH (or UA i think) is to Washington D.C. (if that's even still the case) so why would LH choose Calgary as its 2nd international flight out of TXL. Secondly, there is basically no connections at TXL or SXF so strike 2. Thirdly, LH wants to build up MUC as a 2nd hub to FRA and until that happens, Berlin will not play a major role as a gateway to anywhere anytime soon. This topic has been talked about a lot especially on airliners.net.

Anyone wanting to see a video & website of the plans for consolidation and the massive expansion of SXF into Berlin Brandenburg International (Airport) or BBI should check this website out:

http://www.berlin-airport.de/EN/BBI/index.html

BBI will accomodate 22-25M passengers when it opens, current 2006 pax is: SXF, TXL, THF total 18.5 million - so they are busy planning an expansion already.

LO 044, FYI, Continental (SkyTeam) fly NYC /Newark daily to Berlin TXL and Delta (SkyTeam) from NYC/JFK to Berlin TXL daily. You neglected to mention that Lufthansa actually OWNS Frankfurt Airport. That is why you are likely correct, in that LH will not want to dilute its revenue stream to other airports it has no control of or investment in. That said, LH does fly into Berlin TXL from many places - and with consolidation of Berlin airports to BBI - LH may be scrambling to buy gates like every other airline. A reality of BBI is that it IS and will continue to be a major airport for LCC that will feed from Eastern Europe and the Middle east looking to get value fares that connect to North America. That is how BBI is positioning itself (as well) to reap this cash cow. With Berlin's rise as political capital of Europe and with remergence as the financial capital of Germany as well as social and cultural capital - it is flexing its rather significant muscles.

LO 044
Sep 3, 2007, 4:40 AM
LO 044, FYI, Continental (SkyTeam) fly NYC /Newark daily to Berlin TXL and Delta (SkyTeam) from NYC/JFK to Berlin TXL daily. You neglected to mention that Lufthansa actually OWNS Frankfurt Airport. That is why you are likely correct, in that LH will not want to dilute its revenue stream to other airports it has no control of or investment in. That said, LH does fly into Berlin TXL from many places - and with consolidation of Berlin airports to BBI - LH may be scrambling to buy gates like every other airline. A reality of BBI is that it IS and will continue to be a major airport for LCC that will feed from Eastern Europe and the Middle east looking to get value fares that connect to North America. That is how BBI is positioning itself (as well) to reap this cash cow. With Berlin's rise as political capital of Europe and with remergence as the financial capital of Germany as well as social and cultural capital - it is flexing its rather significant muscles.
Yes i'm sure i missed a couple of international flights from TXL. As for Lufthansa owning FRA, i definitely didn't know that. Don't get me wrong, i'd love to see YEG-BBI flights in the future as my final destination is always Berlin when i fly to Europe. A few years ago Air Transat flew to TXL from YEG with one stop in Europe somewhere but the ticket sales were so bad for the TXL run that the eg was cancelled before the first flight took off. I think it will be a long time before BBI becomes a player but i hope i'm wrong.

As for the city of Berlin, i think it's great but it being the political capital of Europe or financial capital of Germany? I'm not sure i agree with that. Yes Berlin is influential but last time i checked the EU is not planning to move their headquarters from Brussels to Berlin and i'm not sure if Berlin will ever be allowed to be the political capital of Europe judging by its history. As little as i know about Germany's finances and economics, i do believe Frankfurt and Cologne/Bonn still hold the primary financial institutions in Germany.

Another issue is that FRA is scheduled to open their new northwest landing runway by 2011 and Terminal 3 by 2014. Berlin's BBI airport is scheduled to open by 2011. It will be interesting what kind of effects these expansions will have on eachother.

I think if BBI is to become a player, it will be because of Air Berlin. It has recently bought LTU (yes the LTU that was supposed to fly to YEG this year) and has placed an order for 25 Boeing 787's so they will definitely try to expand internationally and compete with LH. At this point, TXL has plenty of slots available yet it has very few international destinations relative to FRA and MUC and IT IS the capital of Germany. LH is also expanding its Dusseldorf operations and their will be DUS-YYZ flights next year so again this says to me that Berlin is not on LH's radar. Personally i think Berlin is treated badly in terms of choice for air travel internationally (not including low-cost carriers). It's almost like they are the YEG of Germany or even worse based on the number of people living in Berlin and it being the capital of Germany. But this sometimes means nothing. How many flights does YOW handle relative to YYZ and YUL?

EdmTrekker
Sep 3, 2007, 5:14 PM
Yes i'm sure i missed a couple of international flights from TXL. As for Lufthansa owning FRA, i definitely didn't know that. Don't get me wrong, i'd love to see YEG-BBI flights in the future as my final destination is always Berlin when i fly to Europe. A few years ago Air Transat flew to TXL from YEG with one stop in Europe somewhere but the ticket sales were so bad for the TXL run that the eg was cancelled before the first flight took off. I think it will be a long time before BBI becomes a player but i hope i'm wrong.

As for the city of Berlin, i think it's great but it being the political capital of Europe or financial capital of Germany? I'm not sure i agree with that. Yes Berlin is influential but last time i checked the EU is not planning to move their headquarters from Brussels to Berlin and i'm not sure if Berlin will ever be allowed to be the political capital of Europe judging by its history. As little as i know about Germany's finances and economics, i do believe Frankfurt and Cologne/Bonn still hold the primary financial institutions in Germany.

Another issue is that FRA is scheduled to open their new northwest landing runway by 2011 and Terminal 3 by 2014. Berlin's BBI airport is scheduled to open by 2011. It will be interesting what kind of effects these expansions will have on eachother.

I think if BBI is to become a player, it will be because of Air Berlin. It has recently bought LTU (yes the LTU that was supposed to fly to YEG this year) and has placed an order for 25 Boeing 787's so they will definitely try to expand internationally and compete with LH. At this point, TXL has plenty of slots available yet it has very few international destinations relative to FRA and MUC and IT IS the capital of Germany. LH is also expanding its Dusseldorf operations and their will be DUS-YYZ flights next year so again this says to me that Berlin is not on LH's radar. Personally i think Berlin is treated badly in terms of choice for air travel internationally (not including low-cost carriers). It's almost like they are the YEG of Germany or even worse based on the number of people living in Berlin and it being the capital of Germany. But this sometimes means nothing. How many flights does YOW handle relative to YYZ and YUL?

Interesting comments. Of course BBI is now "open" in that it is SXF - and being expanded. At 19M pax currently and 70% international pax - BBI is already "international". Growth at BBI is 3X that of FRA and climbing. My point in thinking about a BBI to YEG connection was to beat YYC, YVR etc. to secure a gate connection. Berlin region has 10 million people itself - no little number - plus it is the Low Cost Carrier gateway of Europe (presently). EAA/YEG should be courting Air Berlin - NOW!.

Speaking of LCC - indeed Air Berlin is flapping its wings - and its growth is much more substantial than Air Canada. The new toys it bought will ensure it has capacity for long range international flights including North America. But where is EasyJet and Ryanair in entering the North American market? It seems to me they might wlecome a home like YEG - where they could own the turf and feed off WJA and ACA connections. Maybe Air Berlin could beat them in here??

DAVEinEDMONTON
Sep 3, 2007, 7:29 PM
The plans for the airport look very interesting. I wonder how close the hotel will look compared to the plans...

brento79
Sep 4, 2007, 1:37 AM
The thing that is shows the lack of growth plans is the projections for growth. From 2001 on, they predict low/medium/high growth rates at the same!

Ouch.



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