YEG - Edmonton Int Airport

[hilman]

You could say Air Canada has lost 66,648 passengers this month or 533,721 this year (Transborder numbers). At any rate, looks good, just need some international flights to boost that number

[Johnny Aussie]

Originally Posted by Rogie

Edmonton International Airport

Passenger Statistics for June 2010



Highlights

¨ Overall 499,658 passengers (3,010,899 Year to Date)

¨ Domestic 416,408 passengers (2,257,569 Year to Date)

¨ Transborder 66,648 passengers (533,721 Year to Date)

¨ International 16,602 passengers (219,609 Year to Date)

¨ Rolling 12 Month 6,092,396



Growth%

¨ Overall 3.8% (0.1% Year to Date)

¨ Domestic 3.3% (0.4% Year to Date)

¨ Transborder 5.3% (4.3% Year to Date)

¨ International 11.1% (-11.8% Year to Date)







June Notes



· Positive growth in all sectors

· Transborder load factor growth of over 8 percent

· Third month in 2010 with positive overall passenger growth

· The international sector experienced its second consecutive month of double digit growth

The strange thing is, even with these growth patterns in transborder and international, airlines keep slashing capacity out of YEG. Most noticeable are upcoming scheds. AC has almost abandoned YEG other than domestic. Gone are all transborder flights, and the upcoming winter scheds indicate only 3 flights per week to LHR and 2 weekly sun destinations. DL has cut the SLC route and all DL to MSP is now regional. UA has drastically cut capacity and upcoming winter scheds another cut coming - DEN to 3 daily and ORD and SFO only 2 daily. Even WS prelim winter scheds show reduced flying (although marginally) - mainly due to the suspension of the YEG-YHM route. So it will be interesting to see if these trends continue.

And for the record, so I don't get accused of bashing YEG, YYC's capacity to FRA is being slashed this winter. LH down to 5 per week and AC downguaging from Daily 333 to 763.

[hilman]

The DL to MSP did change to a regional jet but the number of seats remained the same as they increased from 3x to 4x daily.

[dansk]

Most of those changes are seasonal downgrades and adjustments. There are some other changes that will happen, in frequencies between now and november.

[Johnny Aussie]

Originally Posted by dansk

Most of those changes are seasonal downgrades and adjustments. There are some other changes that will happen, in frequencies between now and november.

I realise there are seasonal adjustments, the point is, the comparisons are being made to the same period in the prior year.
My point about AC stands - they have all but abandoned YEG internationally.
Also, prior winter DL (ex-NW) was still flying exact same frequency, but 2009/2010 did have one daily 319 now all CR9.
UA's winter sched (just released) shows a reduction in 14 weekly frequencies.
I realise changes are always made, and tweeks will happen here and there. Again, my point is, with all this strength in numbers, I am surprised to see these capacity cuts. Obviously more to it than just pax numbers.

[EdmTrekker]

Originally Posted by Johnny Aussie

I realise there are seasonal adjustments, the point is, the comparisons are being made to the same period in the prior year.
My point about AC stands - they have all but abandoned YEG internationally.
Also, prior winter DL (ex-NW) was still flying exact same frequency, but 2009/2010 did have one daily 319 now all CR9.
UA's winter sched (just released) shows a reduction in 14 weekly frequencies.
I realise changes are always made, and tweeks will happen here and there. Again, my point is, with all this strength in numbers, I am surprised to see these capacity cuts. Obviously more to it than just pax numbers.

Edmontonian and those in the Capital Region are flying Edmonton Non-Stop FIRST...the campaign is effective. BUT we will have more flights - and the new terminal and incentives will help. The Region will come together to assure this.

[LO 044]

Originally Posted by Johnny Aussie

My point about AC stands - they have all but abandoned YEG internationally.

So what is your excuse for United, Delta, American (who used to fly here), US Airways as these are still international routes any way you cut it. And what is your excuse for Lufthansa, KLM and British Airways who chose YYC over YEG to start flights? And add to the list Martinair and LOT Polish Airlines. All these airlines have metal that could fly us to the US or Europe and since the passenger numbers are so undeniably favourable, why would any of these airlines not start or keep any of the routes we always talk about?

[Urban_Genius]

Wow YEG expansion is impressive.
Major increase in area for sure.
Hopefully it leads to more flights out of the airport..

[MalcolmTucker]

Originally Posted by LO 044

So what is your excuse for United, Delta, American (who used to fly here), US Airways as these are still international routes any way you cut it. And what is your excuse for Lufthansa, KLM and British Airways who chose YYC over YEG to start flights? And add to the list Martinair and LOT Polish Airlines. All these airlines have metal that could fly us to the US or Europe and since the passenger numbers are so undeniably favourable, why would any of these airlines not start or keep any of the routes we always talk about?

KLM is not allowed to service YEG until the new Open Skies is fully enforce.

As for the others, and future operators, I think they might take the Mexican/AeroMexico/whatever it was experience in stride and decide to only service one. When you only service one, most will service the larger centre. I could see Iceland's airline starting service to Edmonton while bypassing Calgary however as their aim is to service underserved markets and funnel 1 flight onto their 20 of so destinations.

[Coldrsx]

Originally Posted by Urban_Genius

Wow YEG expansion is impressive.
Major increase in area for sure.
Hopefully it leads to more flights out of the airport..

Very impressive and MASSIVE!!!

It honestly looks like we have doubled the size of our airport.

[dansk]

One thing to I remember EIA reps stating are that they don't have slots during prime times that the airlines want ie early morning to the US for connections at other Star Alliance/ US hubs.

2012 should be an interesting year for growth of flights at EIA especially if EIA markets themself well as they have been.

regarding my statements above, I did not want to make this a AC vers WS fight.

[Coldrsx]

^yup. YEG is a 6am-8am and 5pm-8pm airport specifically due to Eastern demand and time zones.

[dansk]

I predict YEG sees IAD in 2012 and maybe a FRA. And a slew of new frequency increases...hopefully not to calgary. lol.

[hilman]

^ I hope for EWR as well.

[Airboy]

Just an Update on YEG tower, Checked it out this morning when I was flying out. The foundation is in but no steel has arrived yet. The hording in the area previously occupied by second cup is quite colorful.

[CMD UW]

Yes, the signage is very colourful and well done imo. Our airport is really coming along compared to what it was 2-years ago. Way more restaurants and services post clearance.

However, I do wish they'd improve two things: that they would keep the parkade common areas cleaner and improve the landscaping aesthetics along Airport Road. It's just blah and does not reflect of our landscape.

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by dansk

One thing to I remember EIA reps stating are that they don't have slots during prime times that the airlines want ie early morning to the US for connections at other Star Alliance/ US hubs.

2012 should be an interesting year for growth of flights at EIA especially if EIA markets themself well as they have been.

regarding my statements above, I did not want to make this a AC vers WS fight.

Halifax's airport has faced similar growing pains - all be it at a small scale (considering the capital region is around 1.1 million and HRM just surpassed 400,000).

I did a study for my transportation planning class - because I focused my studies on airport planning (as well as land use planning) and it's amazing the amount of number crunching airlines do before they plug a route into the system.

Timezones are a huge factor; as is the local economy, employment, average family income; slot availability; connectivity (IE: lufthansa would want to be able to connect to flights with air canada, so they can cross feed), flight time and proximity to other major centres.

With Calgary being so close; despite the fact that Edmonton could be so close - unless slots free up; that may be the one critical factor preventing some significant expansion. But then again, it could be the fact Calgary is so close - because on a route to FRA - it's another 20 minutes of flying, but when some routes barely make $100 profit a day; that 20 minutes could be costly.

The big factor that is a plus for Halifax is that it's the last point on the great eastern circle route to Europe; so it's far closer than any US airport (even closer than St. John's or Gander, since it's off the great circle route. The only problem for YHZ is that the economic power in HRM is far less than those in Edmonton. Should that change and the family income go up; that airport will explode.

Edmonton might be wise to consider more asian services, versus European; because it's not too far off the western circle route to Asia.

[Rocket252]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

Halifax's airport has faced similar growing pains - all be it at a small scale (considering the capital region is around 1.1 million and HRM just surpassed 400,000).

I did a study for my transportation planning class - because I focused my studies on airport planning (as well as land use planning) and it's amazing the amount of number crunching airlines do before they plug a route into the system.

Timezones are a huge factor; as is the local economy, employment, average family income; slot availability; connectivity (IE: lufthansa would want to be able to connect to flights with air canada, so they can cross feed), flight time and proximity to other major centres.

With Calgary being so close; despite the fact that Edmonton could be so close - unless slots free up; that may be the one critical factor preventing some significant expansion. But then again, it could be the fact Calgary is so close - because on a route to FRA - it's another 20 minutes of flying, but when some routes barely make $100 profit a day; that 20 minutes could be costly.

The big factor that is a plus for Halifax is that it's the last point on the great eastern circle route to Europe; so it's far closer than any US airport (even closer than St. John's or Gander, since it's off the great circle route. The only problem for YHZ is that the economic power in HRM is far less than those in Edmonton. Should that change and the family income go up; that airport will explode.

Edmonton might be wise to consider more asian services, versus European; because it's not too far off the western circle route to Asia.

You may be correct but how do account for something like westjet announcing flights to new orleans last week and Air Canada countering with their own flights to New Orleans announced today?

Sounds to me like a knee jerk reaction to competition - not some great soul searching by the airline looking for the best route.

Lets face it. With the amount of passenger load both airlines can put additional flights into YEG but why bother if no one is pushing them.

[dansk]

Another thing you have to remember is the amount of aircraft WS and AC have. AC does not have a extra 767-300 just lying around. When they announce a new 767 service they have to take away from somewhere else at the moment. THat is one of the reasons YEG is downsized in the winter as the profits are better for the 767 on other routes. Once the 787 comes on board things should improve slightly

[Rocket252]

^ the airline will get the metal if they are pushed by some other airline starting a route in their hub city.

AC had no problem getting metal for New Orleans after Westjet pushed them. Same situation when Westjet went Calgary - San Diego. AC did the same thing and started a route in competition.