A WestJet aircraft sits at the Medicine Hat Regional Airport in this June 2018 file photo. WestJet will have a new schedule starting this fall that will affect flights to and from the Gas City.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
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Members of the development and infrastructure committee on Thursday heard the city received an update on WestJet’s new schedule for the fall.
Airport officials told the committee a vital change to scheduled arrival times will facilitate same-day service for two-way flights to Edmonton and Vancouver.
WestJet is transitioning its low-cost routes for the fall season and reducing flights to the Medicine Hat Regional Airport to one per day.
However the Calgary-based airline will replace its aircraft for one that has double passenger capacity.
Daily flights are expected to depart Medicine Hat at 7 a.m. and will arrive at 12:35 a.m., starting Oct. 27.
Drought prep
City administration provided committee members a verbal update on drought conditions and their water conservation plan.
Members were told city staff members have been constantly monitoring the status of the Old Man Reservoir and snowpack, and receive regular updates from the water treatment plant about the status of other reservoirs.
On May 9 the city activated its water sharing agreement with the province and has committed to reducing water consumption by 10 per cent.
The city’s director of environmental utilities Jamie Garland told committee members recent participation has increased headwaters at the Old Man Reservoir by nine per cent since last week to 51 per cent.
“So that mountain runoff is coming and it’s a good thing, but still fairly well off,” said Garland. “They’re forecasting heavy, wet snow in the mountains so that’s good.”
Administration also told the committee they are working on more initiatives to provide rain barrels to residents following high demand from the community.
The city is giving away 45 more rain barrels in a draw that runs until May 24. Ballots can be filled out at city hall.
