YEG - Edmonton Int Airport

[EdmTrekker]

Originally Posted by LO 044

I think AC will have a tough time matching the fares of Icelandair. They pay no interest to Air Transat's fares albeit this is a measily 1x weekly flight a week to LGW for a short period of time. I don't know how competitive or uncompetitive AC's fares from YEG are relative to fares from YYC on BA and KLM.

I have no idea what WestJet is thinking. They seem to codeshare with a variety of airlines in differenet alliances which would leave you to believe that codesharing with Icelandair is a possibility. Icelandair, however, codeshares only with SAS and Finnair as EdmTrekker has mentioned. This limits their reach so to speak. A marriage with WestJet would be ideal for both companies until WestJet buys some long haul aircraft.

WJ already have an arrangement with BA and KL. They hope to funnel passengers through their YYC "HUB". If WJ did develop a Codeshare -from YEG (4th busiest WJ City) that would endear them to folks in the Capital Region. But then if they don't it might not matter much - 2 hour driving time from YEG gets you 2+ million people.

[Rocket252]

IcelandAir has interline agreements with both Air Canada and Westjet.
Either group may want to get in on the action and develop a more closer relationship.
Or in Air Canada's case they may try direct competition by promoting thier London Flight or even go with a FRA flight

[Coldrsx]

Posted 02 May 2013 12:14

Update at 0640GMT 02MAY13

As per 02MAY13 GDS timetable/inventory display, WestJet is revising planned Encore unit operation on Edmonton – Grande Prairie route. The airline remains on track to transfer 1 of 2 daily mainline operation to Encore from 15AUG13. From 15SEP13, overall service will be transferred to Encore, while increases from 2 to 3 daily.

eff 15AUG13 1 of 2 daily service replace Mainline operation
WS3252 YEG1345 – 1453YQU DH4 D
WS3253 YQU1530 – 1638YEG DH4 D

eff 15SEP13 Overall service increases from 2 to 3 daily, all service operated by Encore
WS3250 YEG0725 – 0833YQU DH4 D
WS3252 YEG1345 – 1453YQU DH4 D
WS3291 YEG1910 – 2018YQU DH4 D

WS3251 YQU0905 – 1013YEG DH4 D
WS3253 YQU1530 – 1638YEG DH4 D
WS3292 YQU2055 – 2203YEG DH4 D

http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airl...nde-prairie-operation-from-mid-sep-2013/

[dansk]

Here's the route information for Icelandair it's 4x weekly to start:

2nd Update at 1520GMT 03SEP13

Icelandair in Summer 2014 season is adding new destination in Western Canada, with Reykjavik – Edmonton service on board Boeing 757-200 aircraft. On 02SEP13, the airline briefly opened reservation for this route on 02JUN14 and 04JUN14 for few hours. At 1500GMT 03SEP13, the airline re-opened reservation for this route, and will operate 4 weekly flights starting 26MAR14.

FI693 KEF1645 – 1730YEG 75W x247
FI692 YEG1830 – 0650+1KEF 75W x247

Edmonton is the carrier’s 3rd destination in Canada.

[tuffyy]

Originally Posted by dansk

Here's the route information for Icelandair it's 4x weekly to start:

2nd Update at 1520GMT 03SEP13

Icelandair in Summer 2014 season is adding new destination in Western Canada, with Reykjavik – Edmonton service on board Boeing 757-200 aircraft. On 02SEP13, the airline briefly opened reservation for this route on 02JUN14 and 04JUN14 for few hours. At 1500GMT 03SEP13, the airline re-opened reservation for this route, and will operate 4 weekly flights starting 26MAR14.

FI693 KEF1645 – 1730YEG 75W x247
FI692 YEG1830 – 0650+1KEF 75W x247

Edmonton is the carrier’s 3rd destination in Canada.

Awesome!!! 4x week! Even better than what I had heard! And Vancouver also gets 2x weekly service! Also important to note YEG will be year-round while YVR will be seasonal.

[s211]

Originally Posted by Hallsy's Toupee

Would it be safe to say that Iceland is going to rely on being a major North Atlantic hub as one of their biggest major economic drivers?

Only if they can consistently deliver dormant volcanos.

[christopherj]

Wow... just looking at prices, Edmonton to Frankfurt next June is just over $1,000 per person using Icelandair. Last year I paid $1,500 for the same flight in June.

[tuffyy]

Also important to note the route starts in March, many are still saying June on other forums. Clearly EIA made a very strong business case and Icelandair clearly saw a huge gap.

[EdmTrekker]

[QUOTE=tuffyy;6253025]Also important to note the route starts in March, many are still saying June on other forums. Clearly EIA made a very strong business case and Icelandair clearly saw a huge gap.[/QUOTE

Indeed. Introductory sales should be announced soon. Only issue I have is the late arrival into KEF potentially making it difficult on some connecting flights. A 6am arrival would have been better.

[oiler-dude]

Looking at a YEG - LHR flight in mid July (random dates picked).

Through Icelandair:
$1,098 round-trip (10:15 travel time)

Through AirCanada
$1,797 round-trip (12:15 travel time)

I was fair and didn't pick a direct flight from YEG...since it's even more expensive. These are for the same days of the month. Ridiculous.

[Coldrsx]

Alberta Travellers Win as Edmonton Gains New Gateway to Europe: Icelandair to Reykjavik and Beyond



September 3, 2013 (Edmonton, AB) – Starting in March 2014, Icelandair will begin regular scheduled service between Edmonton and Reykjavik, providing Albertans with faster and easier access to more than 20 destinations across Europe.

“This new route links the Capital Region into Icelandair’s superb network of over 20 European destinations, with significantly shorter travel times to places like Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Stockholm and more. Travellers will save as much as six and a half hours of travel time on a return trip,” says Reg Milley, EIA President and CEO.

“We see a bright future ahead with a stronger network and even more opportunities for the many business and leisure travellers flying to Europe from Canada. Icelandair continues to search out markets that will benefit from our presence for both inbound and outbound travellers and further strengthen our role in opening the skies to Europe. The vibrant and academic community of Edmonton is underserved by international airlines and Icelandair will now offer a refreshing alternative to Europe from Canada,” says Helgi Már Björgvinsson, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Icelandair.

"Iceland is a great new addition to EIA's non-stop network. Icelandic immigrants have contributed greatly to Alberta's rich cultural fabric. We look forward to welcoming more Icelanders to Alberta so they can explore our natural beauty, enjoy our arts and culture, and re-connect with family and friends who now call Alberta home," says Alberta Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation, Dr. Richard Starke.

“Icelandair is one of the world’s most innovative and respected airlines, with an outstanding network across Europe. With our strong economic performance, and our impressive new air terminal, we’re proud that Edmonton has what it takes to attract a world-class international air carrier of Icelandair’s calibre,” says Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel.

“A non-stop connection with Reykjavik further opens up Edmonton to continental Europe and will allow for new tourism and business opportunities to be pursued. Icelandair’s investment underlines its confidence in the Edmonton region as an economic hub for North America,” says EEDC President and CEO Brad Ferguson.

This new service will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays on an Icelandair Boeing 757 seating 183 passengers in a three-class layout. The 6-hour, 20-minute eastbound flight will depart from EIA at 6:30 p.m. and arrive in Reykjavik at 6:50 a.m. the next morning. The westbound flight will leave Reykjavik at 4:45 p.m. and arrive at EIA at 5:30 p.m. the same day, with flying time of 6 hours, 45 minutes.

Passengers will enjoy the following minimum time savings on return trips to major European cities, as compared with current available schedules offered by existing routings:

• Amsterdam: 1 hour, 25 minutes
• Copenhagen: 4 hours, 55 minutes
• Frankfurt: 2 hours, 30 minutes
• Munich: 3 hours, 50 minutes
• Paris: 2 hours, 25 minutes
• Stockholm: 6 hours, 40 minutes
• Zurich: 3 hours, 20 minutes

These are minimum time savings. Total time saved increases even more with schedule variations.

Icelandair’s interline agreement with WestJet means passengers connecting to Icelandair flights at EIA can book a single combined e-ticket for both airlines, and enjoy the convenience of single check-in for all flights, with baggage sent through to the final destination.

About Edmonton International Airport:

Edmonton International Airport (EIA) is Canada’s fifth busiest airport by passenger traffic and the largest major Canadian airport by land area. Canada’s fastest growing major airport in 2012, EIA serves over 6.5 million passengers per year and offers non-stop connections to more than 50 destinations across Canada, the US, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe. For more information about Edmonton International Airport, visit www.flyeia.com.

About Icelandair:

Icelandair, the national carrier of Iceland since 1937, offers service to Iceland from Boston, New York-JFK, Seattle, Denver and Toronto with seasonal service from Newark, Washington, D.C., Minneapolis-St. Paul, Orlando Sanford, Halifax, and Anchorage. Connections through Icelandair's hub at Keflavik International Airport are available to more than 20 destinations in Scandinavia, the U.K. and Continental Europe. Only Icelandair allows passengers to stopover in Iceland at no additional airfare. To book a flight with Icelandair, visit www.icelandair.ca.



Media Contact:
Heather Hamilton
Director, Marketing & Communications
Edmonton International Airport
c: 780 884 2966
e: [email protected]
w: www.flyeia.com

Michael Raucheisen
Marketing Executive, the Americas
Icelandair
t: (1) 857 403 1787
e: [email protected]
w: www.icelandair.ca

[tuffyy]

Good to see a airline use the term "under served".

Now comes the question? What will AC do? Increase service? Lower fares? Or I have been even asked if they would drop service to LHR? I highly doubt it... But it'll be interesting to see what happens.

I think it'll look like this.

[Denscity]

Originally Posted by tuffyy

Awesome!!! 4x week! Even better than what I had heard! And Vancouver also gets 2x weekly service! Also important to note YEG will be year-round while YVR will be seasonal.

Yes twice a week from YVR as well and there was zero hype and discussion before the Vancouver announcement. Either considered no big deal or just wanted to keep it a surprise?

[Rocket252]

AC has disengaged from the sun destinations market. They only have the one International flight to LHR. domestically Westjet is providing the competition.

Maybe its time to rethink their strategy for YEG?

[tuffyy]

I had mentioned months ago that it was Edmonton and Vancouver being looked at by FI. I would assume that with its quality of existing European service it was not worth a second thought or it slipped under the radar to those concerned. The route will be seasonal but if also expect it to possibly become year round. With the lower fares and and great quality of service FI offers I'd suspect it will also become a popular choice for Vancouverites heading to Europe. The airline has done very well for itself from nearby Seattle.

[Coldrsx]

Photo on icelandair for Van


(http://cdn.icelandair.com/servlet/file/s.../fileservice3533/698330_3534_preview.jpg)

For Edmonton


(http://cdn.icelandair.com/servlet/file/s.../fileservice3533/698329_3534_preview.jpg)

[EdmTrekker]

I see that FL have purchased 16 new Boeing 737 MAX 8 and 9 planes and these are on order with options for more. If our new route is successful I assume it is highly probable the Max 9 and variations thereof may be used...if it can do this distance??

Also great to see some news at least the online ed of the WSJ:

http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20130903-907996.html

Someone ought to send a nice picture of Edmonton for the FL website as it looks like we live in pyramids...lol

[cyeg66]

Originally Posted by tuffyy

Awesome!!! 4x week! Even better than what I had heard! And Vancouver also gets 2x weekly service! Also important to note YEG will be year-round while YVR will be seasonal.

It lists from Mar 26th and continues into January 2015. So, about 10 months/yr. Even if AC reduces LHR to 5x/wk (which I doubt), it would still represent a big boost in seats per week to Europe, and much better flight times, it seems. Connecting thru LHR, bleh! And a damn bit more $$$, so good on ya, EIA. It'll be successful. Nice, new tail to see in front of the nice, new, shiny terminal, too

[tuffyy]

I see a few Calgarians are piping up on the Icelandair page on FB...

"Better market, better city, better people" lol...

Okey dokey...


And the Jan 15 date is when the schedule seems to be up for adjustments pretty much across the board.

[hilman]

Great pic from Vinesh Pratap's Twitter:


https://twitter.com/vineshpratap/status/374945315071082496/photo/1