City, WestJet talk local service levels with new agreement

By Collin Gallant on October 3, 2024.

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Airline, airport and local business officials discussed changes to flights in and out of Medicine Hat planned for later this month at a round-table on Wednesday.

That’s as WestJet brought its larger Q400 aircraft to the city for the first time this week ahead of full-time change in aircraft and schedule later this month.

The larger plane will provide an early morning flight to Calgary, then return after midnight on the round trip.

That is compared to one round trip loop at present in the mid-afternoon.

Airline officials described the relationship with Medicine Hat Regional Airport, which it’s served since 2018, as being “strengthened.

“(It) underscores the essential role reliable air service plays in furthering Medicine Hat’s connectivity and economic development,” said Jared Mikoch-Gerke, the director of airport affairs with WestJet in a released statement.

“We look forward to deepening our commitment to the region and continuing to serve as a partner in its growth.”

City officials and members of the Chamber of Commerce of Southeast Alberta took part in the discussion on Wednesday.

Airport manager Logan Boyd said the city will “continue advocating for improvements in local air service to meet the needs of residents and the business community.”

The chamber has made air service an issue in the region since 2012, when the city also launched efforts to bring in a second carrier to compliment Air Canada, at the time.

Since WestJet’s arrival, Air Canada cut service and eventually closed the route.

“Businesses need greater access to quick, efficient, and cost-effective travel options,” said Lisa Dressler, the chamber’s executive director. “We also know we all need to work together to ensure we can maintain air service in our region and grow the demand and global connectivity moving forward.”

The change comes as WestJet changes carriers from its “WestJet Link” to “WestJet Encore” services, announced last spring.

Currently used 34-seat Saab 340B airplane will be replaced with the 78-seat De Havilland Dash 8-400 (known at the Q400).

Each day, a 7 a.m. departure from the Hat will arrive in Calgary at about 7:45 a.m., while the return flight will leave Calgary at 11:40 p.m. and arrive here 55 minutes later.

That replaces a single return flight between the two cities in the mid-afternoon each day, and will allow more time to catch connecting flights, airline officials said.

The changes come as WestJet ends an agreement with Pacific Coastal Airlines to service WestJet’s regional routes. The two still have a interline agreement that allows passengers to reroute to the other without claiming baggage in between.

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