Lets see what happens when Porter starts to get larger aircraft. They are the only "major" Canadian airline left for AA to try to partner with.

Yes the Ottawa market is weak for International/US flights ✈️ as it located close to both Toronto & Montreal which has the most of it in Eastern Canada & also similar situation like Edmonton YEG which is located close to Calgary YYC that has the 2nd most International/ US flights in Western Canada after Vancouver YVR.

Though Ottawa similarly to Edmonton is a good market for Low Cost airlines Flair & Swoop✅!!

This marks the second time AA's pulled out of Ottawa.

YOW was a legacy US YOW station that they hacked as soon as the US merger was completed by first cutting YOW-CLT and then dropping YOW-PHL down to a mere 2x daily ERJ to the point where same-day PHL-YOW biz trips were no longer possible. It's a convenient way to cut expensive above-the-wing staff for only 2 flights a day. It's kinda rich that they're cutting this 6 months before their planned return saying the "demand has never returned" when the border just opened back up a few days ago and they did zero promotion of the resumption of service. It also shows the continued drawdown of 50 seaters. Overall AA have done nothing but shrink in Canada over the past 20 years, but especially since the merger with US.

With both DL and AA now 'suspended indefinitely' at YOW, the market is ripe for Porter to majorly build up YOW with the arrival of the E95s with DH4 feeder flights, which could include close-in transborder destinations they already serve.

PD announced on Friday a sale-leaseback of the first 19 E95s and in the release it was interesting to see Ottawa listed 1st yet again among the 4 jet bases. I think PD have big plans for YOW: https://www.newswire.ca/news-release...842046738.html

I wouldn’t be surprised *if* WestJet flights✈️ Edmonton- Ottawa is downgraded to Swoop (WO) to operate it on those days & it will free up 1 Boeing 737 plane for WestJet to operate at its Calgary, Toronto or Vancouver busiest airports in Canada 2-3x weekly to another destination✅.

It is *Possible*,as with Swoop Airlines (WO) starting Edmonton- Ottawa 3x weekly starting April 25 2022.

It definitely free up 1 available WestJet Boeing 737 plane ✈️ to start up Calgary YYC - Moncton YQM for Summer 2022 2-3 weekly or possibly a new US seasonal destination from YYC a few times weekly.

Delta will be operating two A319s YWG MSP come Jan 5th
prob since United pulled out Delta is adding that second airbus changing it fr the cr9

Just checking aa.com......I see that Philadelphia-Halifax is still loaded for next summer on an A319. I believe this is an up-gauge to mainline.

I remember AA was once the predominate carrier from YYZ to New York and US Pr-clearance had its beginnings at 'Malton' way back in 1952!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...e7d2f37c_z.jpg

I'm pretty sure AA started at YYZ in 1941 or even a bit earlier than that.

At this point WS have seasonal YEG-YOW resuming daily on 01MAY22.

1952 was when the first US Customs Pre-Clearance started and it was initiated by AA. Reading the article....only AA passengers could take advantage of it.....not TCA (Air Canada) passengers.

Wooo great news for Winnipeg! I feel with UA temporarily pulling out it might give AA a chance. :)

Swoop and EIA/YEG had a presser today for this.

https://scontent.fyvr1-1.fna.fbcdn.n...52&oe=61982FB2

Looks like WS got some LHR slots for S22. A whopping 8 out of the 42 they’ve requested.

https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrI...=ReportSection

So they could do 4x YYC-LHR?

Maybe third time's the charm ! or is this their 4th allocation?

Anyway. Less than daily, so not ideal, but still. At some point, WS will need to bite the bullet and just start flying to LHR.

True, but AA was at YYZ before the arrival of pre-clearance.

As these permanent slots this time or just the temporary ones they've rejected to date?

If permanent, they'll 100% guaranteed take them, as long as the times are reasonable. Would free up 4 of their LGW slots for other uses. YOW-LGW on a MAX in S22 would seem like a prime opportunity with AC skipping out on YOW-LHR next summer.

Wow not only YQM to YEG, but YYG too. Who would of ever thought that 15 years ago?

Also confirms that WO will be coming back to YXU.

Yes.

Weirdly, the report still says BA intends to serve LHR-YYC as well? Although I doubt it. The route didn't appear in the S21 report.

On another note, AC requested and obtained slots for YYZ-LGW as well?

WS is status quo. No real change.

https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrI...I0NWQwYjY3YiJ9

True....but my original post had nothing to do with when AA started flights from YYZ or for that matter when TCA (AC) began theirs to New York.

Just the point that it was AA that began the original pre-clearance in '52.

If anyone want's to do the research into the first flights ...here's a good link:

http://timetableimages.com/ttimages/...e/complete.htm

2022 is going to be an absolute bloodshed in terms of competition...

New Calgary-based ULCC Lynx Air will be launching in 2022 (I believe this is the former JetNaked airline that has Indigo funding).

And there is also Canada Jetlines that wants to launch in 2022 (for the 4th time now?)

On top of that, Swoop and Flair are expanding like crazy next summer. Flair will have about 16 aircraft while Swoop will have at least 10.

Lynx and CanadaJetlines won't have that big of a fleet (3 and 2 aircraft respectively), but those are lots of seats. I feel Lynx will face the least competition since it looks like they will be based in Calgary and will likely only have to compete with Westjet, and potentially AC and Flair. Jetlines is anyone's guess really.

I thought Indigo was behind the Enerjet ULCC, but I thought they walked away? Plus wouldn't they want to equipment an airline with 32Xs?

I wonder if this is the Enerjet reboot regardless given the YYC HQ and 737 obsession?

Speaking of Flair, they're adding some additional sun routes starting in February 2022:
YXX-SJD
YEG-SJD
YOW-CUN - essentially replaces the never launched YOW-LAS
YVR-SJD
YKF-CUN

Odd for AC to go back to Gatwick given they have plenty of Heathrow slots, and Rouge doesn't have anything that can hop across the Atlantic.

One would think they'd increase frequency from YYZ to Heathrow first.

Aside from BA, I can't think of anybody who runs a split operation to Gatwick and Heathrow for transatantic flights.

At least we'll have the benefits of that until the whole thing comes apart in a couple of years.

I can't see it all lasting, mostly. I thought the entry of Flair was going to be a short experiment.

Should be Interesting to see what Lynx Air destinations in Canada are planned for its 1st 3 Boeing 737Max 2022!

Yep there's going to be good competition for Airlines in Canada and also (F8) Flair Airlines is the only monopoly low cost airline ✈️ option at Calgary YYC currently operating limited point to point flights and there is room with Lynx Air coming in 2022 to compete with Flair✅.

While WestJet & Air Canada are battling it out for more of the Business/Premium passengers out of YYC & also some leisurely 1's too!

[[QUOTE=JakeLRS: 2022 is going to be an absolute bloodshed in terms of competition...

New Calgary-based ULCC Lynx Air will be launching in 2022 (I believe this is the former JetNaked airline that has Indigo funding).

And there is also Canada Jetlines that wants to launch in 2022 (for the 4th time now?)

On top of that, Swoop and Flair are expanding like crazy next summer. Flair will have about 16 aircraft while Swoop will have at least 10.

Lynx and CanadaJetlines won't have that big of a fleet (3 and 2 aircraft respectively), but those are lots of seats. I feel Lynx will face the least competition since it looks like they will be based in Calgary and will likely only have to compete with Westjet, and potentially AC and Flair. Jetlines is anyone's guess really. QUOTE]

Yep there's going to be good competition for Airlines in Canada and with (F8) Flair Airlines the only monopoly low cost airline ✈️ option at Calgary YYC currently operating limited point to point flights and there is room with Lynx Air coming in 2022 to compete with Flair✅.

As WestJet & Air Canada are battling it out for more of the Business/Premium passengers out of YYC & also some leisurely 1's too!

None of this really worries AC. They still have a healthy 51% of available seat kilometers (ASKs) domestically.

That's what you would call a majority. They essentially have the Canadian domestic market by the balls. Westjet/Swoop is a distance second with 30%. Between the two of them, that's over 81% ASKs domestically. Transat and the ULCC's are basically irrelevant domestically at the moment. Maybe in a few years, with PD upping its game with the E195s and Flair growing its fleet (while somehow managing to stay alive, mind you), that will change. But for now, AC/WS are unfazed by all the changes happening on the domestic front.

A good analysis on CAPA.

https://centreforaviation.com/analys...-canada-587259

Copy that and thanks for the link. :tup:

Currently Air Canada is around 85% Capacity - https://www.aircanada.com/content/da...q2_release.pdf

followed by WestJet with about 70% capacity - mentions it the cp24 news article https://www.google.ca/amp/s/beta.cp2...1_5646045.html

Flair - according to Yahoo article mentions “Flair's domestic seat capacity in 2021 has grown 211 per cent when compared to 2020”, according to National Bank Financial analyst Cameron Doerksen. https://www.google.ca/amp/s/ca.finan...153049888.html

Swoop - capacity early in 2021 was down 90% & simpleflying article mentions Swoop saw increased demand/bookings Summer 2021,with vacation & holiday packages available through to April 2022.

“We’ve seen a significant increase in demand for travel this summer, most especially in provinces where vaccination and re-opening plans are on track and clearly outlined. With the release of our winter schedule, those who are planning further ahead or dreaming of a vacation abroad can find our always affordable flights and Getaway packages available for booking through April 2022,” Duncan shared in a statement.
https://www.google.ca/amp/s/simplefl...owth-2021/amp/

15 years ago WS did fly YQM-YEG

Non stop? I don’t recall that! I don’t even recall YQM-YYC non stop! I recall one stop service via YHM however.

Wasn't that 1-stop service?

CONFIRMED: Lynx is the reincarnated Enerjet: https://calgaryherald.com/opinion/co...rrier-lynx-air

WS founder Tim Morgan will be the airline's COO.

Awh won't you look at that, Flair and Lynx are already in love with each other!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...68a2cef4_z.jpgFlair.V.Lynx1
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...777b30d7_z.jpgFlair.V.Lynx2

https://westjet.mediaroom.com/2021-1...w-from-Calgary

Its official. WS adding YYC-LHR in 2022.

:haha::cheers:lolz

I enjoy how corporations talking shit to each other using memes on social media has become a thing :haha:

Not surprising WestJet (WS) chose Calgary YYC to operate to London Heathrow UK as they mentioned previously that they plan to use its 787’s for flights✈️out of busiest hubs in Calgary, Toronto & Vancouver✅!

It’s a similar situation for Air Canada (AC) which operates most of its International flights with the 777, 787 & A330 out of its busiest hubs Toronto,Vancouver Montreal & Calgary.

At the end WestJet’s press release :
[Quote :Additional network details for travel between Calgary and London-Heathrow including frequency, timing and introductory pricing will be available, and for sale, in the coming weeks. Quote]

Yep stay tuned as it’s when probably WestJet 2022 Summer Schedule will be released around that point too.

I think WestJet is probably waiting to see what destinations in Canada the new Lynx Air starting up 2022 throws at Calgary YYC before it announces the Summer 2022 schedule / also make changes to it.

I don't think Westjet is overly concerned with Lynx and I don't think they'll wait for Lynx. If anything, they'll announce a similar route, increased frequency, or reduced fares on the route Lynx serves.

Fair point! It’s looks like Canada’s Newest Lynx Air ✈️ will be known as (Y9) for short with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) code & they now have a Wikipedia information page too.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynx_Air

That page was created in 2008. They are basically Enerjet and simply changed their name.

WS and Transat signing a transatlantic codeshare:

Air Transatand WestJet have agreed to co-operate on a codeshare agreement for transatlantic travel.

The deal will allow travellers to book flights to Europe involving both airlines on a single ticket with through-checked bags.

Under the arrangement, WestJet’s code will be placed on Air Transat flights to select cities in Europe, while Air Transat’s code will be placed on select WestJet flights in North America.

The agreement is expected to be implemented early next year, subject to regulatory approvals...

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/busi...ntic-travel-2/

noflyzone will probably have the best opinion on this but i see this as the 1st step of WestJet acquiring Air Transat (long term) to get their foot into Quebec. On the other hand this will probably help Air Transat to keep afloat in the short term and long term.

In the long term their fleet's aren't exactly compatible but i think those 321XLR's are priceless for any company to have.

If Onex was smart, they'd buy Air Transat, but leave the operation completely separate from Westjet. Have them codeshare on flights and share some background services, but have the management completely separate.

Voila! Westjet Group/Air Transat is now a national airline, Westjet gets a whole bunch of European coverage with fewer planes and expansion costs. Air Transat gets reliable feed from the rest of the country. Westjet Vacations in the west, Air Transat in the east.

A sort of real competitor to Air Canada.

While Air Transat could be valuable to have, wouldn't this take pax off their Europe flights from YYC, YYZ or maybe YVR and make them connect in YUL and YYZ on Air Transat instead?

I wouldn't read too much into this past the codeshare.

The pandemic killed travel demand. When TS resumed operations earlier this year, they realised that having a go at it alone was the least ideal scenario. They needed some partners to provide feed. WS is such a partner now.

if WS truly wanted to takeover TS, I don't think they would have partnered with a codeshare first. You're essentially helping TS stay alive by filling their planes to Europe from YYZ/YUL, and therefore increasing their revenues, and also increasing competition for yourself across the Atlantic. If you want to takeover an airline, it's about "divide and conquer". Leave TS alone, so they suffer, and then come in with the lowest bid possible when they are the most vulnerable. The fact they aren't doing that tells me they don't want TS, at least not yet.

WS probably agreed to the codeshare because it benefits them in the short term as well. Transatlantic travel is recovering much faster than the rest, and with WS's limited 787s, this was the best way for them to increase their presence in that market in the short term.

This is a smart move for both TS and WS at the moment.

And btw, TS has A321LRs, not XLRs.