Quote:
Originally Posted by Migs
Just so you know, YQR is on the verge of announcing some similar flights that Saskatoon just announcent in addition to one to Salt Lake City. And I'm not too sure what you basing your opinions on in regards to the bolded stated as Saskatoon's passenger #'s aren't that much bigger than Regina's. As well for the past year or so, YQR is taking on much of NFTC's workload from 15Wing as they are trying to catch up with backlogged missions due to no ATC on base in MooseJaw on weekends. Either way, both of Saskatchewans major airports are doing very well which is great news for the province. 
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I never, ever meant for this to be a XE versus QR debate. I wasn't talking in PAX numbers, movements is a better way to express how busy an airport actually is. Saskatoon has both major airlines of the province based there. Which would be the reason that the airport has nearly 30,000 movements more a year than YQR does. And, the 1.03 million pax that went through Saskatoon last year, includes a few of Transwest Air's and all of Pronto's Sked flights through the terminal, but not charters from the Aerocentre or West Wind/Transwest hangar flights. Let's assume WW has 7 daily flights, 4 being ATR movements and 3 1900/Jetsream or BE20 flights, that adds to the total picture, big time.
With regards to expansion at YXE, I could see it happening in the next five years (terminal), if things keep going the way they are, I think the next phase will happen sooner than later. There are times, even 6 months ago, when you can't find a spot to sit in the departure lounge. Saskatchewan Gov't is currently building a hanger by Air Canada Cargo, West Wind is working on a new hanger (which will be huge, rumors of them picking up a few ATR-72's) and there is a new hangar being built by PIC investments (Jim Yule) by the Esso, which is rumored to be an Esso Avitat and is supposed to be the start of a new charter airline.
Other things that are going on in the YXE airport community that might not be known... Canadian North is operating a stop-over (usually from Montreal) on the way up to Horizon to pick up workers and fuel... Suncor is chartering West Wind for flights up to the Firebag site, north of McMurray, as well they are operating flights with their RJ900's out of Saskatoon for workers. Pronto Airways is flying a scheduled flight up to Rankin Inlet and Baker lake, Air Canada mainline is back into Saskatoon flying to Toronto, four times a day with Embraers.
Regina is getting busier as well but, don't flame me for stating the obvious. In the end, it's great to hear that both airports are doing great.
I think that's all I know for now...