Saskatoon and Regina Air Service

[kalin_10]

New talk 650
François Biber
October 8, 2013

Ongoing contributions from Boeing have facilitated a state-of-the-art training centre in Saskatoon, according to Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) president Reil Bellegarde.

On Tuesday, Boeing announced another $750,000 in funding for the Saskatchewan Aviation Learning Centre (SALC). SALC houses the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering program at the SIIT campus located on Koyl Avenue in Saskatoon.

Bellegarde said Boeing's contributions began about five years ago with a one million dollar installment. It was followed by $750,000 for continuing equipment purchasing to grow the two-year diploma program. The most recent funds, Bellegarde said, will help the program move ahead into phase two of expansion.

"What we want to do is we need to expand our space and enhance the learning experience with new equipment, and new tools. It's a state of the art institution and we want to keep that going," Bellegarde said, adding more classroom space is also a priority for the growing program.

Since the AME program began in 2009, they have graduated 16 students, all who are employed in the industry. Currently 21 students split between first and second year are enrolled in the program, with another 12 expected to graduate next June.

For program head Brian Wilkinson, the ongoing contributions from Boeing means his program can continue to teach on the leading edge of the industry.

"Without industry partners there wasn't enough funding to get this (program) going. Companies like Boeing and Lockheed Martin are the reason we're here," Wilkinson said, adding the government of Saskatchewan has also donated older aircrafts to the program.

Wilkinson said aircrafts make up one large expense, but another is the equipment and tools to teach maintenance on aircraft engines.

"It's one thing to have the aircraft, it's another to have the equipment to have the maintenance on them," he said. "When we look into the future I can tell you we will need updated aircrafts with newer avionics as newer engines are being built."

Since 2008 Boeing has contributed $2.5 million to the AME program at SIIT.

[skyhigh953]

Looks like Allegiant is eyeing western Canada for flights to Florida. Perhaps YXE and YQR? Not sure if there is enough demand, but it would fit their model:

"Low-cost leisure carrier Allegiant Air is eyeing scheduled service to Canada as early as the winter of 2014, as the airline prepares to launch its first international service to Mexico in June.

The Las Vegas-based airline will likely begin flights to smaller cities in Atlantic Canada as well as Canada's western regions from Florida, Allegiant's vice president of network and pricing Lukas Johnson tells Flightglobal Pro. Potential Atlantic Canada airports include Moncton, Halifax and St John's, he adds, saying that Allegiant is eyeing routes that airlines do not currently serve. "Obviously, you wouldn't see us flying to Toronto Pearson International," says Johnson.

In line with Allegiant's business model, the flights will bring travellers from these smaller Canadian cities to warm weather holiday destinations in Florida. The earliest the airline could launch these flights would be the winter of 2014, says Johnson. "We are not trying to do the bread and butter WestJet routes," he adds, referring to the Canadian low-cost carrier."

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/article...nada-for-international-expansion-391377/

[SkydivePilot]

Regina/Saskatoon would definitely fit the profile for Allegiant alright. Victoria; Kelowna; Lethbridge (ATB pending); and Thunder Bay would also be strong contenders.

[kalin_10]

Originally Posted by skyhigh953

Looks like Allegiant is eyeing western Canada for flights to Florida. Perhaps YXE and YQR? Not sure if there is enough demand, but it would fit their model:

"Low-cost leisure carrier Allegiant Air is eyeing scheduled service to Canada as early as the winter of 2014, as the airline prepares to launch its first international service to Mexico in June.

The Las Vegas-based airline will likely begin flights to smaller cities in Atlantic Canada as well as Canada's western regions from Florida, Allegiant's vice president of network and pricing Lukas Johnson tells Flightglobal Pro. Potential Atlantic Canada airports include Moncton, Halifax and St John's, he adds, saying that Allegiant is eyeing routes that airlines do not currently serve. "Obviously, you wouldn't see us flying to Toronto Pearson International," says Johnson.

In line with Allegiant's business model, the flights will bring travellers from these smaller Canadian cities to warm weather holiday destinations in Florida. The earliest the airline could launch these flights would be the winter of 2014, says Johnson. "We are not trying to do the bread and butter WestJet routes," he adds, referring to the Canadian low-cost carrier."

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/article...nada-for-international-expansion-391377/

This would be awesome for YXE/YQR as there is definitely demand for direct flights to Florida but not in a Boeing 737-700 capacity. More fitting would be a 50-100 passenger aircraft.

[SkydivePilot]

Originally Posted by kalin_10

This would be awesome for YXE/YQR as there is definitely demand for direct flights to Florida but not in a Boeing 737-700 capacity. More fitting would be a 50-100 passenger aircraft.

At present, Allegiant possesses A319/320; B757; MD-82/83/87-type aircraft. The MD-83 (166 pax) would be the most likely to come up here - since that is by far the most numerous of all their a/c types.

[kalin_10]

The grand opening of Phase 1 construction at YXE is scheduled for Wednesday, October 23. I'm attempting to get some sneak peak photos for tomorrow, however, could be difficult.

[Echoes]

A reporter from News Talk Radio posted the following interior shot of the terminal expansion on Twitter:


https://twitter.com/BrynLevy

Wow YXE, this is looking.... CLASSY!

[Echoes]

StarPhoenix video walk-through of the terminal here:

http://www.tout.com/u/gwalldo

[kalin_10]

Originally Posted by Echoes

StarPhoenix video walk-through of the terminal here:

http://www.tout.com/u/gwalldo

CTV Saskatoon
October 22, 2013

Phase one of the Saskatoon Airport Terminal Expansion Project is set to open to the public tomorrow.

Stephen Maybury, President and CEO of the Saskatoon Airport Authority, said that there is still a lot of work ahead.

“I want to emphasize this is just phase one,” stressed Maybury. “At a minimum there is still 12 months of construction to complete the project. This time next year we will be looking forward to the grand opening.”




TEASER PHOTOS COMPLIMENTS OF SAA FACEBOOK PAGE








The expansion project to John G. Diefenbaker International Airport began in early 2012 and is expected to cost $53 million dollars. When completed, the expansion will allow the airport to offer much needed amenities and services for food, beverage and retail.

Once finished, the now existing 139,000 square feet will nearly double to over 260,000 square feet over two floors.



Read more: http://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/phase-one-of-the-airport-expansion-set-to-open-1.1508120#ixzz2iTYYYHX1

[SkydivePilot]

Very, very nice!!!

[Brutopian]

PHOTOS: Phase I of Saskatoon airport expansion unveiled
$52 million upgrade scheduled for completion in 12 months

Reported by Bryn Levy, NewsTalk 650 CKOM

Oct 22, 2013

The Saskatoon Airport Authority is looking forward to showing the first phase of a major expansion of the Diefenbaker International Airport.

With passengers due to start using a new terminal on Wednesday, lead architect Derek Kindrachuk said there's just one problem.

"Some will probably think: 'Gee, I got off at the wrong airport," he chuckled at a sneak peak event held for media on Tuesday morning.

But, jokes aside, Kindrachuk said he was impressed with the building, which started out as a drawing in his office back in 2007.

"To see it come to life now, with the reality of the project is really interesting," he said as he explained some of the design features in the sleek new structure.

[........]

Read more:
http://ckom.com/story/photos-phase-i-saskatoon-airport-expansion-unveiled/139749

[North_Regina_Boy]

Can't wait to be able to Jet from this new space! Much better than before... Actually there is no comparison!

[Dan0myte]

Originally Posted by wacko

from YQR I'd like to see a direct flight to Palm Springs. My parents go there every fall, and sometimes I join them as well.

People need to push Westjet harder for this! This would be a huge plus for YQR or YXE.

[scotty c]

Originally Posted by Dan0myte

People need to push Westjet harder for this! This would be a huge plus for YQR or YXE.

It was mentioned above that Palm Springs doesn't have a Customs Clearance in their airport so unless Regina or Saskatoon gets an in airport Customs clearance like any of the larger airports it won't happen. I'm guessing we're at least a dozen daily flights short of that even being fiscally possible if not more.

Having a father in law who owns a place in Palm Springs and spends 5-6 months there every winter I'd love to have a direct flight. Luckily the connections through Calgary and Denver are quite good going down and reasoanble coming back.

[kalin_10]

Originally Posted by scotty c

It was mentioned above that Palm Springs doesn't have a Customs Clearance in their airport so unless Regina or Saskatoon gets an in airport Customs clearance like any of the larger airports it won't happen. I'm guessing we're at least a dozen daily flights short of that even being fiscally possible if not more.

Having a father in law who owns a place in Palm Springs and spends 5-6 months there every winter I'd love to have a direct flight. Luckily the connections through Calgary and Denver are quite good going down and reasoanble coming back.

Allegiant Airlines mentioned that they plan on expanding into Western Canada with flights to Florida. In the case they decided to fly out of YXE/YQR I'm under the assumption they would be flying into a Florida airport with US customs as they stated they'd like to fly out of smaller airports in Canada with untapped markets - thus they would be smart enough hopefully to assume these smaller airports do not have pre-US customs clearance.

May not be to Palm Springs but something close?

[scotty c]

Originally Posted by kalin_10

Allegiant Airlines mentioned that they plan on expanding into Western Canada with flights to Florida. In the case they decided to fly out of YXE/YQR I'm under the assumption they would be flying into a Florida airport with US customs as they stated they'd like to fly out of smaller airports in Canada with untapped markets - thus they would be smart enough hopefully to assume these smaller airports do not have pre-US customs clearance.

May not be to Palm Springs but something close?

Your thinking of Palm Beach in Florida. Palm Springs is in California a couple hours inland from Los Angeles.

Having a few flight options to the SE coast of the US would be nice. Currently your stuck going through Toronto or Chicago if you want to head that way. Cutting out the middle man would be great, take it down to half day rather than a full day to get down there.

[Echoes]

More photos of the YXE terminal from CTV Saskatoon:









http://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/photo-galleries/phase-one-saskatoon-airport-sneak-peek-1.1508466

[esquire]

Those pictures look great... that's a very nice design. The picture of the comfortable-looking leather seats by the fireplace looks as though it was taken in a Maple Leaf Lounge.

[Echoes]

YXE's expanded terminal in action:


Source

[Dillweed]

Originally Posted by Echoes

YXE's expanded terminal in action:


Source

Nice can't wait to take this in the next time I fly into S'toon. The old terminal was definitely getting a bit cramped.