Westjet Link 34-seat Saab 340b aircraft taxis to the gate at Medicine Hat Regional Airport on June 22, 2018. The flight was the first of the regional carrier's scheduled service between Calgary and Medicine Hat. Eight years nearly to the day later, the airline will cease the service, taking its last flight to and from Medicine Hat on June 24.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
WestJet has confirmed it will cease its scheduled air service between Calgary and Medicine Hat, as well as Calgary to Lethbridge, in June.
According to WestJet the decision to end air service comes as the company continues a strategic overhaul of its 2026 schedule, prioritizing route profitability over regional expansion.
“The decision to end air service is never taken lightly, and we understand this is disappointing news for the two communities and apologize for the impact this may have,” reads a statement provided by the airline. “The WestJet Group has served these routes for several years, and despite efforts to support viability, demand for the service has been insufficient.”
WestJet says the last date of service on both routes will be June 24, and travellers holding reservations for a later date are being notified of their options for a refund.
According to airport officials WestJet informed both Medicine Hat and Lethbridge about the discontinuation of service late last week before a public statement was issued in the News on Feb. 23.
Since the notification the Medicine Hat Regional Airport has been adjusting to the announcement and is already working to replace WestJet’s service.
“No doubt the air service was an important part of the airport and we’re obviously going to be working hard to replace that service, finding the right carrier to meet the demand and the needs of the Medicine Hat market,” said Logan Boyd, airport manager.
Boyd says since WestJet took over passenger service in 2018 its flights account for roughly 2 per cent of all movements at the airport on an annual basis, and although the airport is expecting small impacts in its terminal operations, operations will remain largely unaffected.
“We still have to operate our airport to a high standard for regulatory compliance reasons, the snow still needs to be plowed, the grass still needs to be cut, we have to run a compliant safe facility,” said Boyd.
However, the discounted service will have an immediate financial impact on the city-owned airport. Boyd estimates roughly 379,000 trips to Calgary will be lost within the city’s catchment area until another service is found.
“So there’s demand here, and it’s about finding the right carrier and providing the right service to meet the needs and the demand of Medicine Hat,” added Boyd. “We’re going to be steadfast in searching for every alternative to replace the service.”
The cancellation under License No. 962156 represents a significant loss in regional connectivity and leaves residents a more limited travel landscape starting this summer.
Coun. Chris Hellman, who is currently acting mayor, says councillors and staffers have already reached out to their counterparts in Lethbridge to discuss potential collaboration to find an air service to serve all of southern Alberta.
Hellman says Mayor Linnsie Clark has already been in contact with Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen to discuss opportunities to leverage a large customer base for a potential new service provider.
“I think that probably provides us some opportunity to work from a bigger customer base as far as southern Alberta, versus just the southeast corner of Alberta,” said Hellman, who explained council will actively advocate to bring service back.
“I think the administration will look into all kinds of alternatives and opportunities, whether that’s a different air carrier, a smaller air carrier, just a regional one, or some kind of other transportation service that can move people and their luggage between Medicine Hat and Calgary.”
Hellman says he has already received concerns from residents about future travel-booking opportunities, expressing concerns over the discontinuation of air travel service.
“I’m certainly sympathetic to that and at this early stage in the game all I can tell them at this time is we’re acutely aware and that we’re going to look at all opportunities to make sure their needs are being met,” said Hellman.
Last year the airport saw more than 37,000 total movements including private flights, and remains a hub for medevac and flight training operations.
Boyd says the airport is vital and annually provides more than 1,000 critical-care trips from the region to health-care facilities in bigger cities.
The city also has an active air service development program and is assessing public feedback gathered recently to prioritize future strategies in its strategic Airport Master Plan.
Westjet commenced service from Calgary to Medicine Hat in June 2018, replacing Air Canada.
