YEG - Edmonton Int Airport

[Coldrsx]

I think we can all agree that a hilton, fairmont, or sheraton would be awesome...and YEG could support it, but obviously the proforma/research/etc. doesnt right now. A courtyard marriott will do very well there and since we have another terminal coming and are thinking long term, perhaps another hotel in a decade that would have the support from both YEG customers and the area (port alberta/airlinks) to bring a ****

[EdmTrekker]

Now a strategic topic: YEG flights to FRA. With Lufthansa in Star Alliance with Darth Vader (aka Air Canada), there was little motivation for LH to serve YEG. From a UK perspective and thinking about Westjet being in an alliance with someone on future flights to Europe the chances of that occurring are diminishing by the nanosecond. Lufthansa has firmly bought out the remaining BMI shares...meaning Star Alliance LH and AC will effectively control all "alliance" flights from Canada into the UK and beyond. Only Air France/KLM are a hope now - until Star Alliance falls apart or One World or Skyteam consolidate and strengthen and fly out of YEG to Europe. IMO our best options may be secondary carriers and discount carriers. If I was EAA I would be courting Easyjet...Ryanair and others...what with the United and USA merger eminate.

Interesting news clip as it makes you wonder "who" they could code share with for YEG... "European carriers, for now, seem to prefer to add more code share partnerships. Lufthansa will codeshare with United Airlines on 28 weekly flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Air France will sell two flights from Brussels and 13 direct flights between the UK and Ireland and the US operated by Delta. In addition, bmi plans to place its code on United flights from Heathrow to Chicago O’Hare, Los Angeles, Washington Dulles, San Francisco and Denver.".

http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/25094
http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1209506525.html

[Edmonchuck]

Originally Posted by CMD UW

There's nothing wrong with the Courtyard brand at all...in fact, it will be a large Courtyard to boot.

Given the fact that all I normally need is a bed, a Courtyard is actually preferable. I never use the amenities anyway.

[Edmonchuck]

Originally Posted by EdmTrekker

Now a strategic topic: YEG flights to FRA. With Lufthansa in Star Alliance with Darth Vader (aka Air Canada), there was little motivation for LH to serve YEG. From a UK perspective and thinking about Westjet being in an alliance with someone on future flights to Europe the chances of that occurring are diminishing by the nanosecond.

I'm beginning to agree.

[KrisYYC]

Originally Posted by EdmTrekker

If I was EAA I would be courting Easyjet...Ryanair and others...what with the United and USA merger eminate.

Do you honestly think that if (and that is an incredibly huuuuuge if) either of these carriers started trans-atlantic flights that YEG or YYC will even show up on their radar? Highly doubtful. They'd be serving New York, SFO, LAX, etc. Even then, the chance of these airlines starting long haul ops is pretty much nil.

YEG's best chance is to court the STAR Carriers as they are by far the strongest in Canada with their connection to AC.

[LO 044]

Originally Posted by KrisYYC

Do you honestly think that if (and that is an incredibly huuuuuge if) either of these carriers started trans-atlantic flights that YEG or YYC will even show up on their radar? Highly doubtful. They'd be serving New York, SFO, LAX, etc. Even then, the chance of these airlines starting long haul ops is pretty much nil.

YEG's best chance is to court the STAR Carriers as they are by far the strongest in Canada with their connection to AC.

Well based on many Ryanair and Easyjet flights within Europe, your statement isn't entirely correct. Many European low cost carriers fly into low key airports ensuring low airport fees and low or virtually no competition. Aarhus, Bari, Billund, Blackpool, Bydgoszcz, Dusseldorf Weeze, Frankfurt Hahn, Newquay, Perugia, etc are not exactly household airport names. So why not YEG. YYC has enough competition to scare many away. But YEG, YWG, YHZ perhaps.

I think this type of idea is a ways away though. I really think YEG should be looking at airlines like LTU, LOT (although in Star Alliance so doubtful), Aerosvit from Europe anyways. If everyone says that AC started the YEG-LHR based on demand via YYC or YYZ then what's the point of courting AC? Might as well look at other airlines which will cause AC/LH to jump in on the market.

[KrisYYC]

Originally Posted by LO 044

Well based on many Ryanair and Easyjet flights within Europe, your statement isn't entirely correct. Many European low cost carriers fly into low key airports ensuring low airport fees and low or virtually no competition. Aarhus, Bari, Billund, Blackpool, Bydgoszcz, Dusseldorf Weeze, Frankfurt Hahn, Newquay, Perugia, etc are not exactly household airport names. So why not YEG. YYC has enough competition to scare many away. But YEG, YWG, YHZ perhaps.

I think this type of idea is a ways away though. I really think YEG should be looking at airlines like LTU, LOT (although in Star Alliance so doubtful), Aerosvit from Europe anyways. If everyone says that AC started the YEG-LHR based on demand via YYC or YYZ then what's the point of courting AC? Might as well look at other airlines which will cause AC/LH to jump in on the market.

They serve secondary airports on short-haul leisure flights. Transatlantic is a whole different ballgame.

YEG should court STAR because of STAR's domestic feeder (AC) into YEG which makes the flight way more attractive. An airline with little connection potential in YEG will have a much harder time.

Though I agree some Eastern European carriers could probably do some flights maybe a couple times a week type thing.

Even Calgary's LH flight is a co-op with AC. Hence AC's FRA flight going down to 767. Probably 30% or possibly even more of the YYC-FRA pax connected in YYC from other cities in Western Canada. Without that feed, the YYC-FRA would be one 767 per day at the most. Seamless feeder connections are essential for cities the size of Calgary and Edmonton.

[LO 044]

Originally Posted by KrisYYC

They serve secondary airports on short-haul leisure flights. Transatlantic is a whole different ballgame.

YEG should court STAR because of STAR's domestic feeder (AC) into YEG which makes the flight way more attractive. An airline with little connection potential in YEG will have a much harder time.

Though I agree some Eastern European carriers could probably do some flights maybe a couple times a week type thing.

Even Calgary's LH flight is a co-op with AC. Hence AC's FRA flight going down to 767. Probably 30% or possibly even more of the YYC-FRA pax connected in YYC from other cities in Western Canada. Without that feed, the YYC-FRA would be one 767 per day at the most. Seamless feeder connections are essential for cities the size of Calgary and Edmonton.

Nice comments especially from someone with a YYC nickname lol. At the same time, isn't the age old argument of YYC being the prime Alberta hub throw your "YEG should court YYC" plan out the window? Isn't this what YEG has been doing and i imagine YYC trying to prevent so to speak? It hasn't worked out that great so far for YEG.

Kris i believe (correct me if i'm wrong) you're connected in some way with AC down there at YYC. What was the primary reason of AC starting the YEG-LHR run? Courting by YEG or simple supply and demand or both or protecting Canadian turf from BA, KL, etc? Just curious if you have any insights.

[KrisYYC]

Originally Posted by LO 044

Nice comments especially from someone with a YYC nickname lol. At the same time, isn't the age old argument of YYC being the prime Alberta hub throw your "YEG should court YYC" plan out the window? Isn't this what YEG has been doing and i imagine YYC trying to prevent so to speak? It hasn't worked out that great so far for YEG.

Kris i believe (correct me if i'm wrong) you're connected in some way with AC down there at YYC. What was the primary reason of AC starting the YEG-LHR run? Courting by YEG or simple supply and demand or both or protecting Canadian turf from BA, KL, etc? Just curious if you have any insights.

I think you mistook what I meant by YEG courting. I didn't mean YEG should court YYC. I'm saying YEG should court the airlines who have the best chance of making flights, especially overseas flights, in and out of YEG work. That would be AC as evident by the fact they are the only airline to fly YEG-LHR daily year round despite being so close to YYC.

Yes I'm connected to AC, used to be directly, but now indirectly. The main reason YEG-LHR was started because the demand justified YEG getting its own LHR flight. Part of it might have been BA, but then again AC hasn't reduced capacity on YYC-LHR so I doubt the presence of BA had much of an impact.

I'll tell you guys this though, when YEG-LHR first started it was a poor performer, but now the loads are high, but as far as yields go (which is what really counts) I'm not to sure.

If demand increases don't be surprised to see YEG-LHR go A330.

[Rocket252]

Originally Posted by KrisYYC

I think you mistook what I meant by YEG courting. I didn't mean YEG should court YYC. I'm saying YEG should court the airlines who have the best chance of making flights, especially overseas flights, in and out of YEG work. That would be AC as evident by the fact they are the only airline to fly YEG-LHR daily year round despite being so close to YYC.

Yes I'm connected to AC, used to be directly, but now indirectly. The main reason YEG-LHR was started because the demand justified YEG getting its own LHR flight. Part of it might have been BA, but then again AC hasn't reduced capacity on YYC-LHR so I doubt the presence of BA had much of an impact.

I'll tell you guys this though, when YEG-LHR first started it was a poor performer, but now the loads are high, but as far as yields go (which is what really counts) I'm not to sure.

If demand increases don't be surprised to see YEG-LHR go A330.

So if the main reason AC started YEG-LHR was market demand the assumption would that AC feels there is not enough market demand to start a YEG - FRA?

It would appear to me that most of AC decisions regarding YEG are based on stopping the other guy coming in and taking the business away rather than being proactive and actually caring about service here.

[S_B_Russell]

Airport idea grounded

City council isn't flying high on the idea of reopening the City Centre Airport to more passenger traffic.

Civic politicians yesterday shot down a motion brought forward by Coun. Tony Caterina to reopen the debate. He wanted city administration to work with the Edmonton Airports Authority to determine whether service should be expanded. Most of the traffic at the City Centre Airport - which is owned by the city and leased to Edmonton Airports - is limited to small charters, corporate planes and Medivac services.

Caterina wants it to become a hub for commuter flights.
http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Edmonton/2008/05/01/5437261-sun.html

[ExcaliburKid]

^Hooray City Council!

[rapid_business]

Dodged that bullet.... not that it was realistic.

[Rocket252]

Just the fact that this issue is still around in 2008 is frustrating.

Way to go City Council.

[LO 044]

Originally Posted by KrisYYC

I think you mistook what I meant by YEG courting. I didn't mean YEG should court YYC. I'm saying YEG should court the airlines who have the best chance of making flights, especially overseas flights, in and out of YEG work. That would be AC as evident by the fact they are the only airline to fly YEG-LHR daily year round despite being so close to YYC.

Yes I'm connected to AC, used to be directly, but now indirectly. The main reason YEG-LHR was started because the demand justified YEG getting its own LHR flight. Part of it might have been BA, but then again AC hasn't reduced capacity on YYC-LHR so I doubt the presence of BA had much of an impact.

I'll tell you guys this though, when YEG-LHR first started it was a poor performer, but now the loads are high, but as far as yields go (which is what really counts) I'm not to sure.

If demand increases don't be surprised to see YEG-LHR go A330.

Yeah that was a typo. It should have read "YEG courting AC". But now you have answered my question, YEG-LHR was started based on demand. So what's the point of courting AC if all they do is look at their passenger numbers and flight patterns to justify their routes. The only thing that YEG can tell AC is "please abandon using YYC as a hub so we can have more flights". And you know this will never happen, why would it, YYC as a hub makes more sense than YEG on tourism and business passengers alone.

So the only realistic thing for YEG to do is to go after other airlines and say look, our population alone (since KLM or BA would have no connecting traffic) warrants a flight to AMS or LHR from where your excellent connections throughout the world can be used.

An aside question if anyone knows. Does YYC and YEG charge the same amount in landing fees to airlines? Is this amount somehow set by the government or is it simply an airport authority set price? If it is set by the airports authority, is there profit made off these landing fees and is it significant?

[Jasper and one o nin]

Nowm maybe Krushel can make a motion to CLOSE the CCA

[tuffyy]

In a couple of weeks we are off to China and Taiwan for a few things.

Edmonton-Vancouver (AC.),Vancouver-Shanghai (China Eastern.),Shanghai-Shenzen (China Eastern),Shenzen-Taipei (Air Macao),Taipei-Hong Kong (EVA air.) then back.All in a little over a week...

[Coldrsx]

^nice...good thing you didnt book on "oasis"

[rapid_business]

tuffyy... can you disclose your job title? It sounds really interesting based on this latest blab and everything else you've shared over the past year... if not, no prob.

[Coldrsx]

great news!


Alberta rolls out record spending on road construction
Jason Markusoff, edmontonjournal.com
Published: 1:28 pm
EDMONTON - The long, dark drive from Edmonton to its international airport will be brightened this summer by 230 new light posts.

Transportation Minister Luke Ouellette announced today that the province will install the lights on the QE2 highway all the way from Ellerslie Road to Airport Road, as part of the province's record $1.9 billion spending on highway construction this year.

5/1/08

http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/ne...2836-c602-4e7f-9a58-66f209a9306d&k=20839