Saskatoon and Regina Air Service - Page 125

Echoes · #**2481** Posted **May 1, 2025, 3:30 PM**

‘A much more warm environment’: Saskatoon airport unveils renderings of arrivals hall renovation

https://www.ctvnews.ca/saskatoon/article...tm_content=359457935&utm_source=hs_email

Myst · #**2482** Posted **May 26, 2025, 12:36 AM**

February statistics for MSP flights from Sask. (source - US bureau of transportation statistics data filings)

available seats - passengers flown - load factor

YQR-MSP: 2184 - 1572 - 72.0%
MSP-YQR: 2184 - 1558 - 71.3%
total: 4368 - 3130 - 71.7%

YXE-MSP: 2181 - 1400 - 64.2%
MSP-YXE: 2181 - 1362 - 62.4%
total: 4362 - 2762 - 63.3%

Myst · #**2483** Posted **Jun 14, 2025, 4:48 AM**

March statistics for MSP flights from Sask. (source - US bureau of transportation statistics data filings)

available seats - passengers flown - load factor

YQR-MSP: 2262 - 1417 - 62.6%
MSP-YQR: 2184 - 1511 - 69.2%
total: 4446 - 2928 - 65.9%

YXE-MSP: 2253 - 988 - 43.9%
MSP-YXE: 2253 - 1107 - 49.1%
total: 4506 - 2095 - 46.5%

These are a fair bit lower than the April 2024 figures. And looking month-to-month, the YXE-MSP figures, in particular, are down from February 2025. How much is due to DJT, and what might be other factors is hard to guess.

Myst · #**2484** Posted **Jul 21, 2025, 2:54 PM**

April statistics for MSP flights from Sask. (source - US bureau of transportation statistics data filings)

available seats - passengers flown - load factor

YQR-MSP: 2340 - 1726 - 73.8%
MSP-YQR: 2340 - 1559 - 66.6%
total: 4680 - 3285 - 70.2%

YXE-MSP: 2703 - 1465 - 54.2%
MSP-YXE: 2703 - 1638 - 60.6%
total: 5406 - 3103 - 57.4%

Brutopian · #**2485** Posted **Sep 29, 2025, 4:12 PM**

Chambers survey interest for direct flights between Regina and Saskatoon

By Jacob Bamhour
CKOM
Sep 29, 2025

Business groups in Regina and Saskatoon launched a survey this week, aiming to learn if travellers still want a non-stop flight between the province’s two largest cities.

Regina Chamber of Commerce CEO Mike Tate said the route was popular before the COVID-19 pandemic, and members of the chamber are keen to see if that demand remains strong.

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Read more:
https://www.ckom.com/2025/09/29/chambers...tm_content=382754443&utm_source=hs_email

Myst · #**2486** Posted **Oct 19, 2025, 3:14 PM**

May statistics for MSP and DEN flights from Sask. (source - US bureau of transportation statistics data filings)

available seats - passengers flown - load factor

YQR-MSP: 2340 - 1252 - 53.5%
MSP-YQR: 2340 - 1472 - 62.9%
total: 4680 - 2724 - 58.2%

YQR-DEN: 800 - 377 - 47.1%
DEN-YQR: 850 - 569 - 66.9%
total: 1650 - 946 - 57.3%

YXE-MSP: 5160 - 2203 - 42.7%
MSP-YXE: 5160 - 2544 - 49.3%
total: 10,320 - 4747 - 46.0%

Myst · #**2487** Posted **Oct 19, 2025, 3:20 PM**

June statistics for MSP and DEN flights from Sask. (source - US bureau of transportation statistics data filings)

available seats - passengers flown - load factor

YQR-MSP: 2262 - 1204 - 53.2%
MSP-YQR: 2262 - 1518 - 67.1%
total: 4524 - 2722 - 60.2%

YQR-DEN: 1620 - 993 - 61.3%
DEN-YQR: 1570 - 1061 - 67.6%
total: 3190 - 2054 - 64.4%

YXE-MSP: 4767 - 2957 - 62.0%
MSP-YXE: 4773 - 2728 - 57.2%
total: 9540 - 5685 - 59.6%

Myst · #**2488** Posted **Oct 19, 2025, 3:25 PM**

July statistics for MSP and DEN flights from Sask. (source - US bureau of transportation statistics data filings)

available seats - passengers flown - load factor

YQR-MSP: 2340 - 1629 - 69.6%
MSP-YQR: 2262 - 1693 - 74.8%
total: 4602 - 3322 - 72.2%

YQR-DEN: 1550 - 1213 - 78.3%
DEN-YQR: 1500 - 1152 - 76.8%
total: 3050 - 2365 - 77.5%

YXE-MSP: 5742 - 4038 - 70.3%
MSP-YXE: 5742 - 2889 - 50.3%
total: 11,484 - 6927 - 60.3%

casper · #**2489** Posted **Oct 23, 2025, 5:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myst

July statistics for MSP and DEN flights from Sask. (source - US bureau of transportation statistics data filings)

available seats - passengers flown - load factor

YQR-MSP: 2340 - 1629 - 69.6%
MSP-YQR: 2262 - 1693 - 74.8%
total: 4602 - 3322 - 72.2%

YQR-DEN: 1550 - 1213 - 78.3%
DEN-YQR: 1500 - 1152 - 76.8%
total: 3050 - 2365 - 77.5%

YXE-MSP: 5742 - 4038 - 70.3%
MSP-YXE: 5742 - 2889 - 50.3%
total: 11,484 - 6927 - 60.3%

That is shows WestJet has the wrong kinds of aircraft for this type of operation. The A220 or E-195 would be a better fit.

When Delta operated YXE-MSP for most of the year it was a regional jet and upgaged to a bigger aircraft for hunting season.

Myst · #**2490** Posted **Oct 24, 2025, 3:58 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by casper

That is shows WestJet has the wrong kinds of aircraft for this type of operation. The A220 or E-195 would be a better fit.

When Delta operated YXE-MSP for most of the year it was a regional jet and upgaged to a bigger aircraft for hunting season.

Partly the aircraft. Partly WS and DL need to get permission to operate as a joint venture and collaborate.

For the schedule to work, you need to depart in the morning, return at night, and overnight the aircraft. That means DL would need to operate it. Or WS to fly YXE-MSP-YYC.

There’s other flights where WS would schedule better that could be traded. Sharing the flying right is tough.

casper · #**2491** Posted **Oct 24, 2025, 7:09 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myst

Partly the aircraft. Partly WS and DL need to get permission to operate as a joint venture and collaborate.

For the schedule to work, you need to depart in the morning, return at night, and overnight the aircraft. That means DL would need to operate it. Or WS to fly YXE-MSP-YYC.

There’s other flights where WS would schedule better that could be traded. Sharing the flying right is tough.

When Delta (and before them Northwest) operated the route it was always a twice daily regional jet (CRJ). There was a flight that was an overnight and a mid-day/early afternoon turn.

During hunting season instead of CRJ it would get replaced with a DC-9 (in the Northwest days) or a A320 or even 757.

Myst · #**2492** Posted **Oct 25, 2025, 12:00 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by casper

When Delta (and before them Northwest) operated the route it was always a twice daily regional jet (CRJ). There was a flight that was an overnight and a mid-day/early afternoon turn.

During hunting season instead of CRJ it would get replaced with a DC-9 (in the Northwest days) or a A320 or even 757.

NW in the late ‘90’s had 2x daily DC9 on YXE-MSP and 2x Avro85 on YQR-MSP. But the loads airlines demanded at the time were not as high as what it takes to be viable now.

Myst · #**2493** Posted **Nov 15, 2025, 2:54 AM**

August statistics for MSP and DEN flights from Sask. (source - US bureau of transportation statistics data filings)

available seats - passengers flown - load factor

YQR-MSP: 2418 - 1587 – 65.6%
MSP-YQR: 2418 - 1882 - 77.8%
total: 4836 - 3469 – 71.7%

YQR-DEN: 1550 - 1310 – 84.5%
DEN-YQR: 1600 - 1303 – 81.4%
total: 3150 - 2613 – 83.0%

YXE-MSP: 5829 - 4071 – 69.8%
MSP-YXE: 5829 - 2993 – 51.3%
total: 11,658 - 7064 – 60.6%

Load factors on both of the MSP routes are 20% below last August, which isn't good. It is surprising to see YQR-DEN doing so much better than MSP. Although with 50 seat CRJ's, that's hard to say if it's enough to keep it going with the current market conditions overall.

Also definitely illustrates (again) that WS needs more fleet flexibility.

Brutopian · #**2494** Posted **Nov 18, 2025, 6:16 PM**

Saskatoon-Regina flights taxi toward takeoff as business support builds runway for route reboot

By Keenan Sorokan
CTV News
November 12, 2025

Businesses in Saskatoon and Regina are ready for flight service between the two cities to take off again.

A survey conducted by the Regina and District Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce shows a strong desire to resume flight service between the province’s two largest cities with 94 per cent of respondents saying they would use the service if it was made available.

“I think overall it presents a picture of a very eager and interested business traveling community that would like to see some sort of return to service,” Jason Aebig, the CEO of the Saskatoon Chamber, said.

“The feasibility of that, I guess, will have to be worked out by the operators.”

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Read more:
https://www.ctvnews.ca/saskatoon/article...tm_content=389767997&utm_source=hs_email

Myst · #**2495** Posted **Dec 20, 2025, 2:23 AM**

September statistics for MSP and DEN flights from Sask. (source - US bureau of transportation statistics data filings)

available seats - passengers flown - load factor

YQR-MSP: 2340 - 1194 – 51.0%
MSP-YQR: 2340 - 1336 - 57.1%
total: 4680 - 2530 – 54.1%

YQR-DEN: 1550 - 1079 – 69.6%
DEN-YQR: 1500 - 1016 – 67.7%
total: 3050 - 2095 – 68.7%

YXE-MSP: 5388 - 2828 – 52.5%
MSP-YXE: 5388 - 2701 – 50.1%
total: 10,776 - 5529 – 51.3%

YXE-MSP capacity was up significantly compared to the year before, but carried fewer passengers. YQR-MSP capacity about the same, but passenger count down. Both routes had about 25% lower load factors than the prior September. YQR-DEN load isn't exactly great, but interesting it is that much better than MSP. I think it highlights the importance of scheduling as much as anything.

EDM753Fan · #**2496** Posted **Dec 25, 2025, 2:47 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myst

September statistics for MSP and DEN flights from Sask. (source - US bureau of transportation statistics data filings)

available seats - passengers flown - load factor

YQR-MSP: 2340 - 1194 – 51.0%
MSP-YQR: 2340 - 1336 - 57.1%
total: 4680 - 2530 – 54.1%

YQR-DEN: 1550 - 1079 – 69.6%
DEN-YQR: 1500 - 1016 – 67.7%
total: 3050 - 2095 – 68.7%

YXE-MSP: 5388 - 2828 – 52.5%
MSP-YXE: 5388 - 2701 – 50.1%
total: 10,776 - 5529 – 51.3%

YXE-MSP capacity was up significantly compared to the year before, but carried fewer passengers. YQR-MSP capacity about the same, but passenger count down. Both routes had about 25% lower load factors than the prior September. YQR-DEN load isn't exactly great, but interesting it is that much better than MSP. I think it highlights the importance of scheduling as much as anything.

Don't forget the Encore Q400's have capacity for 78 pax compared to 50 on the Skywest CR2. Makes the % of pax look high on the CRJ but probably not much more in actual fact. Even still I think introducing DEN has put a dent in the MSP pax load.

Myst · #**2497** Posted **Dec 29, 2025, 5:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by EDM753Fan

Don't forget the Encore Q400's have capacity for 78 pax compared to 50 on the Skywest CR2. Makes the % of pax look high on the CRJ but probably not much more in actual fact. Even still I think introducing DEN has put a dent in the MSP pax load.

That is a fair point.

My interest is in whether the route survives, and what it says as far as future route development. Thoughts:
1. The Q400 likely has a lower cost per passenger mile. Possibly even a lower trip cost.
2. However, WS is feeding DL. So WS doesn’t keep all of the revenue. UA does keep all of the revenue, so if YQR-DEN drives connecting revenue in Denver they may see more benefit.
3. UA did manage to gain 45% of the passengers, while using 35% less capacity to do so.
4. WS tends to be quite conservative at route planning. Even though it is shorter and a more efficient aircraft, I’m not sure WS will hold out longer.

CRJ200 economics are challenging these days. But so are 50% loads, even on Q400’s. We’ll see how it pans out.

YQR-DEN is 730mi
YQR-MSP is 656mi
YXE-MSP is 795mi

Any of the 3 could technically operate with a Q400.

Myst · #**2498** Posted **Jan 11, 2026, 5:02 PM**

October statistics for MSP and DEN flights from Sask. (source - US bureau of transportation statistics data filings)

available seats - passengers flown - load factor

YQR-MSP: 2418 - 1564 – 64.7%
MSP-YQR: 2418 - 1646 - 68.1%
total: 4836 - 3210 – 66.4%

YQR-DEN: 1700 - 1296 – 76.2%
DEN-YQR: 1750 - 1094 – 62.5%
total: 3450 - 2390 – 69.3%

YXE-MSP: 4956 - 3206 – 64.7%
MSP-YXE: 4956 - 3025 – 61.0%
total: 9912 - 6231 – 62.9%

Interesting to note that YXE-MSP passenger count was up just slightly from the year prior. That does illustrate that daily service is better able to meet travel needs. Trouble is that traffic was up by far less than capacity, which was almost +30% versus Oct.2024.

YQR-MSP traffic was down 16% versus prior year, with capacity unchanged. Although if you look at combined MSP+DEN traffic, it was up by 46% (with capacity up 71%).

EDM753Fan · #**2499** Posted **Jan 12, 2026, 12:46 PM**

Does anyone know if we're getting YQR-YUL service back in summer 2026?

Brutopian · #**2500** Posted **Feb 11, 2026, 7:44 PM**

WestJet restores and expands direct Halifax flights from Sask.

By John Cairns
SaskToday.ca
Feb 10, 2026

REGINA — News that WestJet is bringing back its summer direct flights to Halifax has been greeted with enthusiasm by both the Saskatoon and Regina airports.

“Due to popular demand, WestJet is pleased to return and expand service between Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia,” said Mike Perkins, WestJet senior manager of airport affairs, in a statement Monday.

“This expanded service strengthens Saskatchewan’s air connectivity while supporting tourism, business travel and family connections between the Prairies and Atlantic Canada.”

[........]

Read more:
https://www.sasktoday.ca/provincial-news...tm_content=403130268&utm_source=hs_email