The Medicine Hat Regional Airport is shown in a handout photo. WestJet is changing its schedule for service between YXH and the Calgary International Airport starting Oct. 27.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
Earlier this year, WestJet announced changes to its air service between Medicine Hat and Calgary.
Starting on Oct. 27, this new schedule will better integrate with Calgary International Airport’s most-used and important banks of connecting flights, offering an improved level of service to Medicine Hat residents.
This change is a testament to the hard work our airport staff and city leaders have put into building critical relationships with WestJet decision-makers. Until Oct. 27, Medicine Hat will continue to be served by the WestJet Link service using the 34-seat SAAB, which is flown and operated by a third party.
WestJet’s decision to upgrade the aircraft serving the route, while reducing the flight frequency, reflects its broader commercial strategy to optimize its own fleet of WestJet Encore’s 78-seat Q400 aircraft, which primarily serves regional markets.
Air carriers across the globe are facing unprecedented disruption for several reasons, and industry constraints have impeded the recovery of regional air service to smaller communities nationwide.
In addition to furloughed flight staff not returning to work post-COVID, a regulatory change to duty and rest period regulations recently forced select large air carriers to increase staff by up to 30% from a reduced pool of candidates. These challenges have had a ripple effect on communities like ours.
WestJet has taken the time to meet with our leadership and airport staff, expressing keen interest in our challenges and perspectives and being receptive to our requests and suggestions. For the first time, city staff have been directly engaged with senior executives at WestJet, establishing critical relationships with their senior management and executive teams.
In addition to WestJet, we have also met with Air Canada. While they are interested in continuing a sustained dialogue, expanding service to Medicine Hat is not something they are considering in their immediate plans.
The city reviewed its air service strategy and conducted an air market analysis in 2023. The study revealed that in 2022 our region generated 152,000 trips per year, but only 22,000 (15%) passengers flew from the Medicine Hat Regional Airport, while the remaining 130,000 (85%) leaked to other airports (primarily Calgary).
The following year, in 2023, passenger traffic at our airport grew by 28%. Despite this positive growth, it remains in significant contrast with pre-pandemic levels from 2019, when our facility was served by two commercial air carriers which moved a combined total of 75,000 passengers.
The reduction in passenger activity levels at our airport aligns with many factors, including the previously mentioned industry constraints that have caused reduced service to regional communities and thus a decrease in seat capacity serving our market.
Securing consistent air service, returning to previous highs and driving its growth requires the City of Medicine Hat to continually promote, encourage and advocate for the retention and expansion of air services.
A reliable, convenient and well-connected air service is vital for regional economic prosperity and for enriching local quality of life. We will continue to seek out opportunities to engage, develop relationships and proactively find solutions with our airline partners.
In the meantime, our airport team is working on a comprehensive Airport Strategic and Master Plan to support the development and growth of our region.
Pat Bohan is the managing director of development and infrastructure for the City of Medicine Hat
