Saskatoon and Regina Air Service

[SkydivePilot]

Airport traffic this week at YQR will be busier than normal leading up to the Grey Cup. Come Monday morning, YQR will be insane with departures. (But probably not as busy as 2003 though due to two visiting teams at that time.)

It would still be good viewing for aviation enthusiasts.

Just an fyi thing.

[Nathan]

Originally Posted by SkydivePilot

Airport traffic this week at YQR will be busier than normal leading up to the Grey Cup. Come Monday morning, YQR will be insane with departures. (But probably not as busy as 2003 though due to two visiting teams at that time.)

It would still be good viewing for aviation enthusiasts.

Just an fyi thing.

Could be just as busy, if not busier, as you have many Saskatchewan expatriates making a pilgrimage of sorts.

[SkydivePilot]

Originally Posted by Nathan

Could be just as busy, if not busier, as you have many Saskatchewan expatriates making a pilgrimage of sorts.

Ya, that could very well be.

Back in '03, aircraft were launching out of YQR every two minutes for the whole morning --- and 'was still busier than normal during that afternoon as well. Back then, Air Canada was also operating "Zip" via multi-coloured B737-200s. We sure had a lot of "Zips" that day!

I won't be there to see that. Damn. But if any of you are out there to see very busy airport traffic, please post some pics. Thank you in advance.

[Draftsman]

Originally Posted by SkydivePilot

Ya, that could very well be.

Back in '03, aircraft were launching out of YQR every two minutes for the whole morning --- and 'was still busier than normal during that afternoon as well. Back then, Air Canada was also operating "Zip" via multi-coloured B737-200s. We sure had a lot of "Zips" that day!

I won't be there to see that. Damn. But if any of you are out there to see very busy airport traffic, please post some pics. Thank you in advance.

I have noticed this evening on yqr.ca (in conjunction with flightaware.com) that there is an Air Canada 'Rouge' (Flight ROU2001) arriving from Toronto on Thursday afternoon (scheduled to land at 1:32pm today and tomorrow). If I am not mistaken this will be the first Rouge flight into Regina. It will be an A319 aircraft. Unfortunately I will be at work so I will not be able to see it. I see on YQR's website there are 16 AC flights scheduled into Regina for today! It's going to be a busy airport.

[kalin_10]

Boarded up cafeteria area signals construction of Phase 2 of YXE expansion

Courtesy of Saskatoon International Airport Facebook Page

[Dalreg]

I get to see the expansion next summer for the first time. Hopefully everything is all finished by then.

[Robag]

A new airline based in Vancouver is possibly starting up and they mention Regina as a possible destination as the airline grows.

http://business.financialpost.com/2013/1...rrier-being-proposed-for-western-canada/

[SkydivePilot]

Originally Posted by Robag

A new airline based in Vancouver is possibly starting up and they mention Regina as a possible destination as the airline grows.

http://business.financialpost.com/2013/1...rrier-being-proposed-for-western-canada/

The name: Jetlines - has a "retro-type" ring to it.

The A319 could pay for itself [seat-mile-wise if the flights were near full] between VR and QR - based on very cheap anticipated fares. (Not so much on shorter routes though.)

We wish them the best!

[mjpaul]

Originally Posted by Robag

A new airline based in Vancouver is possibly starting up and they mention Regina as a possible destination as the airline grows.

http://business.financialpost.com/2013/1...rrier-being-proposed-for-western-canada/

thats awesome..they will be my first choice. just hope they dont go broke.

[kalin_10]

Originally Posted by Robag

A new airline based in Vancouver is possibly starting up and they mention Regina as a possible destination as the airline grows.

http://business.financialpost.com/2013/1...rrier-being-proposed-for-western-canada/

I realize both YQR and YXE need to work collaboratively on larger international routes; however, I still believe that each airport needs to fly with its own identity. Arriving with these individual identities, each airport must attract and retain domestic routes specific to each airport; or even to say service by different airlines. I believe Kelowna would be a beneficial route for Westjet Encore to serve through YXE, however; a route to let’s say Victoria through YQR may serve the area better.
Thoughts? Could this be done?

[Robag]

Originally Posted by kalin_10

I realize both YQR and YXE need to work collaboratively on larger international routes; however, I still believe that each airport needs to fly with its own identity. Arriving with these individual identities, each airport must attract and retain domestic routes specific to each airport; or even to say service by different airlines. I believe Kelowna would be a beneficial route for Westjet Encore to serve through YXE, however; a route to let’s say Victoria through YQR may serve the area better.
Thoughts? Could this be done?

Hard to say what would work and what wouldn't. I imagine the airlines have their stats as to which city connections have more fliers than others. I do remember about 2 years ago flying on WJ out of Kelowna coming home to YQR, and our flight was a 1 stop in YEG. About 70% of the people on the flight, which was close to capacity, were flying to YQR, not YEG. At the time I thought, wow, couldn't this be a direct instead of a 1 stop. Who knows, maybe the next day, it was completely opposite. I still don't think our population justifies more non-stop flights than what we get here.

[casper]

Originally Posted by Robag

Hard to say what would work and what wouldn't. I imagine the airlines have their stats as to which city connections have more fliers than others. I do remember about 2 years ago flying on WJ out of Kelowna coming home to YQR, and our flight was a 1 stop in YEG. About 70% of the people on the flight, which was close to capacity, were flying to YQR, not YEG. At the time I thought, wow, couldn't this be a direct instead of a 1 stop. Who knows, maybe the next day, it was completely opposite. I still don't think our population justifies more non-stop flights than what we get here.

I have done the Direct YXE-YYC-YYJ non-stop flying between Saskatoon and Victoria four time in the past year. On some runs I was the only person continuing, on other there mighty of been one or two others.

As a side note it is nice being the only person, the cabin attendant comes up to you as says I just put a new pot of coffee on, it will be a while before we starting boarding, would you like me to get you anything.

I don't know what the driver is for the creating and selecting this direct flights.

[EpicPonyTime]

Originally Posted by kalin_10

I realize both YQR and YXE need to work collaboratively on larger international routes; however, I still believe that each airport needs to fly with its own identity. Arriving with these individual identities, each airport must attract and retain domestic routes specific to each airport; or even to say service by different airlines. I believe Kelowna would be a beneficial route for Westjet Encore to serve through YXE, however; a route to let’s say Victoria through YQR may serve the area better.
Thoughts? Could this be done?

I'd love to see YXE get flights to cities east of Ontario. The fact I cannot fly direct from Saskatoon to Montreal honestly confuses the hell out of me.

[kalin_10]

Originally Posted by Robag

A new airline based in Vancouver is possibly starting up and they mention Regina as a possible destination as the airline grows.

http://business.financialpost.com/2013/1...rrier-being-proposed-for-western-canada/

This Globe and Mail article mentions a couple other destinations as "would include places such as Vancouver; Nanaimo, B.C.; Red Deer, Alta.; and Saskatoon, to name a few.

[kalin_10]

While snow and ice are not typically a welcome sight at the Saskatoon Airport, this year marks an exception as ICE – International Currency Exchange is welcomed as the newest tenant in the Airport Terminal.

ICE has been operating in Canada for over 25 years, and has over 300 branches worldwide, of which over 50 are Canadian locations, including airports such as Edmonton, Winnipeg and Victoria. The Airport Terminal is the first location for ICE in Saskatchewan providing a full service foreign exchange kiosk offering over 30 major and exotic currencies, prepaid currency cards, travel insurance and more.

“We are thrilled ICE has chosen our Airport for their operation,” states President and CEO of Saskatoon, Steve Maybury. “Our service quality surveys have told us this is a service our customers will use and appreciate. It offers another element of enhanced service which we are focused on delivering.”

ICE offers an innovative Click & Collect service, which allows people to order currency online and then pick up at the Airport. No advance online payments or credit cards are required and customers pay only when they get to the airport. This service will be available at Saskatoon.

ICE currently occupies a temporary kiosk but will move to a permanent location in 2014, once Phase 2 of the expansion project has progressed. Both the temporary and permanent locations are pre-security allowing for full public access.

View press release here

To order international currency before departing or arriving in Saskatoon, click here

[kalin_10]

Published December 17, 2013


Air fares (domestic and international combined) averaged $254.80 in the third quarter, down 0.2% from the same quarter of 2011.

The average domestic air fare paid by passengers was $192.10 in the third quarter, up 3.9% from the same quarter a year earlier. The average international air fare was $343.30 in the third quarter, down 4.3%.

Average domestic air fares rose in 9 of the 10 selected Canadian cities of enplanement in the third quarter compared with the third quarter of 2011.

The cities recording the largest year-over-year quarterly increases in average domestic air fares in the third quarter were Edmonton (+8.5%), Saskatoon (+7.9%) and Halifax (+6.9%). The only decline occurred in Montréal (-0.3%).

In the third quarter, domestic air fares averaged $212.50 in Toronto, the highest level, followed by Vancouver ($210.30) and Saskatoon ($192.10).
Fourth quarter 2012

Air fares (domestic and international combined) averaged $241.20 during the fourth quarter, down 3.2% from the fourth quarter of 2011.

The average domestic air fare paid by passengers was $195.10 in the fourth quarter, up 0.2% from the same quarter a year earlier. The average international air fare was $307.10 in the fourth quarter, down 5.9%.

Average domestic air fares rose in 7 of the 10 selected Canadian cities of enplanement in the fourth quarter compared with the fourth quarter of 2011.

During the fourth quarter, the largest year-over-year quarterly increases in air fares occurred in Edmonton (+6.0%), followed by Regina (+3.6%) and Saskatoon (+3.2%).

More...




Would it be safe to suggest that either the airports need further competition (Porter Air/ Canada Jetlines) or increased capacity to mitigate the increased cost of airfares?

[Brutopian]

Saskatoon airport expects another record-setting year
John G. Diefenbaker airport is 12th busiest in Canada

CBC News, Dec 27, 2013

Fresh off a major expansion in its terminal, some record-setting numbers suggest Saskatoon's airport is continuing to grow.

With passenger volumes up 4.4 per cent, the Saskatoon Airport Authority expects to break last year's record number of more than 1.3 million passengers.

Jamie Milton, an employee at Uniglobe Travel, said her company is busier than ever.

"The flights are busier and finding space available on short notice, it just isn't happening like it used to," Milton said.

The John G. Diefenbaker International airport is now the 12th busiest airport in Canada. There are also more options for passengers than ever with seven scheduled airlines now operating in Saskatoon.

[........]

Read more:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/...ts-another-record-setting-year-1.2477495

[skyhigh953]

Does anyone know how many of YXE's passengers every year are US-bound? I was reading in this US Govt document that any new preclearance needs to have a threshold of 400,000 passengers (I'm assuming this is pax per year). Maybe preclearance will be part of the next major yxe expansion in 10-20 years?

http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/tool...factsheet.ctt/preclearance_factsheet.pdf

[kalin_10]

Originally Posted by skyhigh953

Does anyone know how many of YXE's passengers every year are US-bound? I was reading in this US Govt document that any new preclearance needs to have a threshold of 400,000 passengers (I'm assuming this is pax per year). Maybe preclearance will be part of the next major yxe expansion in 10-20 years?

http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/tool...factsheet.ctt/preclearance_factsheet.pdf

SAA typically breaks down the numbers with their yearly report come April/May. Might have to wait until then to see the break down or review last years report.

[SkydivePilot]

Just an fyi thing here:

YQR's Control Tower is 54 years old this year. She looks pretty good for her age to boot!