YEG - Edmonton Int Airport

[adam-machiavelli]

I feel no loyalty to the Edmonton Airport Authority or Air Canada. We are mere Davids observing the footsteps of Goliaths of capitalism.

[christopherj]

Originally Posted by RTA

Again, the assumption being that we should be ever so grateful and thankful for the one singular international flight they provided our city.

Sometimes it's ok to bite the hand that feeds you if you're being malnourished.

I don't disagree... I just suggest that people should not be entirely surprised and shocked that AC was upset about it.

If you ran a business and one of your businesses partners promoted a competing service and (even if not directly) implied people should not use yours, you'd feel upset as well.

[dansk]

Looks like a classic case of tough sales tactics. EIA has the upper hand in this case in my opinion, since if AC really wanted to let YEG go they would have dropped it for more than one month. I'm not offended by this letter... We all have seen these type of letters if we work in any business environment. I do see mistakes made on both sides (EIA and AC). EIA needs to makes sure they continue to promote service they have. AC needs to communicate better or keep its mouth shut when talking to the public.

Not sure how this letter got leaked to the media, but its not professional.

[Hallsy's Toupee]

Vanstone bio:
http://www.aircanada.com/en/about/media/bio/vanstone.html

Prior to joining Air Canada, Derek held senior positions in government including Deputy Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Chief of Staff to federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.

[EdmTrekker]

Originally Posted by christopherj

Yes - I'm illiterate. Thanks. That's right, people can't disagree here without it being implied they are dumb.



Okay, so they didn't directly say don't connect there word for word - but that's what it sounds like to me. What do you gather from it?

Don't make flippant comments. People on this forum are thoughtful and most have a professional perspective on a host of issues. This is not a knee jerk tweet forum...don't hit the keypad and make comments without some basis to substantiate information on critical issues. This issue we are now facing with AC is critical.

To your point: ERAA is doing its job. They promote EVERY new flight, including all of AC Star Alliance partners. When EIA was promoting NYC/EWR I was on that 1st flight. Westjet did not complain and threaten the people of Edmonton. Nothing will stand in our way or in the way of ERAA as they do their mission critical job. As you saw in Mondays election...that is what people of Edmonton and Region expect. We will not longer accept mediocrity and we will not be held hostage by AC, Mr. Katz or any corporation. We are building this City and Region - and we will take no prisoners on the road to achieving our dream. We will move forward without AC if that is what is delivered up by AC.

[EdmTrekker]

Originally Posted by Hallsy's Toupee

Vanstone bio:
http://www.aircanada.com/en/about/media/bio/vanstone.html

One good reason NOT to vote for the Federal PC's next go around. Harper as we now know has a tendency to select idiots for the Senate and for his office.

edit: I looked at the bio and picture. He does nook like an idiot (and that is my personal opinion - not fact)

[christopherj]

Originally Posted by EdmTrekker

Don't make flippant comments. People on this forum are thoughtful and most have a professional perspective on a host of issues. This is not a knee jerk tweet forum...don't hit the keypad and make comments without some basis to substantiate information on critical issues. This issue we are now facing with AC is critical.

You called me illiterate because what I took from Reg Milley's quote is that he implied we shouldn't connect on AC through London, but instead use this new route. You certainly could have been a bit more respectful in your response - I certainly did not take your response as being professional.

Originally Posted by EdmTrekker

To your point: ERAA is doing its job. They promote EVERY new flight, including all of AC Star Alliance partners.

And I do not disagree with this point at all - ERAA would be more than happy to promote an AC flight to Frankfurt I'm sure. My only thought is that the ERAA could have promoted the new route without talking about how London is "a challenge for people if they're connecting" and instead focused on how Edmonton now has more options, more choice, etc.

[EdmTrekker]

Originally Posted by christopherj

You called me illiterate because what I took from Reg Milley's quote is that he implied we shouldn't connect on AC through London, but instead use this new route. You certainly could have been a bit more respectful in your response - I certainly did not take your response as being professional.



And I do not disagree with this point at all - ERAA would be more than happy to promote an AC flight to Frankfurt I'm sure. My only thought is that the ERAA could have promoted the new route without talking about how London is "a challenge for people if they're connecting" and instead focused on how Edmonton now has more options, more choice, etc.

Having just got back via LHR it is a challenge. Plan 40 minutes between terminal 3 and 5. LHR has become a bottleneck for connecting flights. As to what he said about United to EWR - he said connecting to points in Europe (including LHR) was easy etc. AC did not complain then. Mr. Miley is doing his job. He and the folks at ERAA have to promote and say good things about every flight. I won't be continuing this conversation with you. Enjoy your evening.

[Johnny Aussie]

“In nine hours, you can be in Paris from Edmonton,” Milley told reporters at the time. “The other thing is that going through Heathrow can be a bit of a challenge for people if they’re connecting on to go somewhere else, whereas Reykjavik will be a really friendly airport for them to be able to go through.”

Completely agree, there is no question this can only be interpreted as flying via Reykjavik will be easier than Heathrow. I won't defend Air Canada per se, but this statement by Milley is definitely showing favouritism to one airline over another.

He should have just cut out the line about Heathrow and focussed on the benefits of KEF... full stop.

[Rocket252]

What you were hearing is Reg's inner voice expressing gratitude for an airline that truly cares to provide service to YEG while at the same time expressing frustration for an airline that has been jerking YEG around for many years.

If Air Canada's feelings are hurt just go and let someone else take the route.

[Daveography]

Heathrow is an airport, not an airline.

[dansk]

Originally Posted by RTA

Heathrow is an airport, not an airline.

Served by an airline that choose to serve our city. Like it or not Miley was loose with his words. Air Canada is a business partner and you have to treat them like one.

Air Canada's response is brutal and stinks of pure bully sales tactics. They don't want to lose YEG. They may have with this letter.

But again this letter shouldn't have been leaked.

[Hallsy's Toupee]

https://twitter.com/ChrisLaBossiere/status/393224873293512704

When @AirCanada fights for more protectionism, we as Entrepreneurial #yeggers need to laugh at them, not beg them back with incentives.

[dansk]

Originally Posted by Hallsy's Toupee

https://twitter.com/ChrisLaBossiere/status/393224873293512704

exactly. Move forward. Don't look back, voice your opinion via your purchasing choice. Just don't be whiners.

[Coldrsx]

Hate to say it, but I side with AC on this one. We worked long and hard for the London route and essentially insulted it, and directly at that.

This should have been handled much more strategically.

[EdmTrekker]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Hate to say it, but I side with AC on this one. We worked long and hard for the London route and essentially insulted it, and directly at that.

This should have been handled much more strategically.

Cold, you're saying he named Air Canada "directly at that"? He talked about connections beyond Heathrow. And LHR is a bottleneck. AC do not offer flights from YEG into Europe from LHR. Those are other airlines. He did not say stop flying to LHR - where the AC flight stops. It seems your saying that the letter AC sent should have been signed by ALL of their STAR ALLIANCE partners? We don't know what the arrangements are the AC has with those partners...but your providing cover for them...

I guess "insulted" to you means onward tickets on a Star Alliance partners (notably LH) and the cartel they operate that won't serve Edmonton into Europe. Seems you want it both ways.

ERAA has done their job and promote every new route. AC did not complain in its letter that ERAA stated that passengers have an option to Europe from EWR on United when AC is on hiatus now did they? Or when the EWR flight first stated and EIA stated great connections via EWR into Europe. ERAA has done their job and promote every new route.

I suspect AC is seeing flight booking losses to LHR into summer and onward into their Calgary flights hence FI's earlier flights announcement. Our group is travelling several times a year (8 of us) and 1/2 fly in 1st (not me). We are choosing Icelandair this year for both sets of flights - for cost, time etc. into Europe. We are not staying or visiting the UK. And frankly the lot of us have had enough bullying from AC and enough — service.

I am glad we are seeing the letter. I understand that the AC VP that wrote it worked for Stephen Harper where he undoubtedly honed his "strategic" thinking skills while strong arming MP's and lobbyists (likely some from AC). I guess he is trying on Edmonton for size. I think he has met his match. Maybe who ever released the letter is speaking out...just like Mike Duffy?

As to the money subsidy that AC wants to extort from Edmonton and Region - the public will hear more about this and will have zero appetite for such. People don't like to be threatened and that is what AC has done. The letters ERAA have written for service to Europe have all fallen on deaf ears at AC. Lets not forget that.

[tuffyy]

I don't agree with AC on this one.

Since when does marketing a new route to Europe essentially lead to "punishment?"

It's all part of the industry and marketing and airlines have done it for a very long time. Did EIA not promote the living hell out of the AC LHR route when it was launched? Yes they did...

Does YEG and Edmonton as a growing city want more? Yes they do...

It's competition, step up or step out.

Does the FI route pose a threat to AC? Yes it does... And we aren't just talking YEG outbound and inbound... The carriers fare structure alone and connections pose a formidable threat Alberta wide and connectivity wise.

As I mentioned much earlier when this all was coming to a head it really is a tantrum.

With Edmontons current growth and economics it's probably gonna get even tougher for AC in the coming times at YEG.

So AC step up or step out, plain and simple.

[Rocket252]

If Air Canada had properly serviced and supported YEG to begin with the competition it so dreads would have not entered the market and Air Canada would not be in the mess it is today.
And now by pulling this stunt and blaming everyone but themselves they have lost what little credibility they had here.

So AC - either stay in YEG and prove to us you really care about providing us service internationally or move on and let the competition come in.

[Hallsy's Toupee]

I wonder if the flight cancellation was all the doing of Vanstone? If so, hope he gets the pink slip for that.

[rapid_business]

So what kind of an attempt at a shakedown is this? What is AC looking for in terms of comparable compensation? What a gong show.