Calgary International Airport II

Fantastic pictures, and WestJet has scimitars for the icing on the cake! Glad to be of assistance. Honestly that WestJet overflow lot was far and away my favourite spot before the parallel opened, when we were lucky enough to have an A330 come down to 29 for takeoff their wingtips hang over top of the fence. You're just so close. Pilots and people on board would wave to you.

When they are landing/departing to the south traffic also uses this bridge, but going the other way on their way to the gate after landing 17L.

I drew this a while back to kinda help people visualize but forgot to post it:



Looks like rinathq was pretty much right on my red star.

[rinathq]

Acey.. let me know if u plan to go spotting... would love to join u!

Absolutely! I'm in Edmonton but YYC is my pride and joy so I'm back quite often.

[freeweed]

Originally Posted by lubicon

I've only been home for a couple of days this week, but my initial observations are an almost complete absence of aircraft flying over my house now that 11/29 isn't being used much anymore. I live in Tuscany and used to get all the WB departures coming off 29 and a lot of arrivals landing 11. Now there's not much to see.

Yeah, up here in Royal Oak it seems like we're seeing fewer planes overhead. It's still pretty early days but I wonder if this is a trend, or if I'm just noticing it because of my awareness of the new runway.

Fortunately the cloud seeders were extremely active last night over what almost turned into a rotating cloud. They don't make much noise but they sure are fun to watch west of the city.

[Bigtime]

Heat haze is such a pain in the ass this time of year, even at some of the closest spots on 35L/17R you still get it. So my thinking is even that area marked with the red star you'd get some really bad haze if trying to shoot traffic on the new runway.

[Bigtime]

As I'm sure was expected there are lots of CADORS out since the new runway opened, quite a bit with taxi mistakes to and from 35R/17L.

[Bigtime]

WestJet has confirmed they are going to go with wide-bodies as early as Fall 2015:

http://westjet2.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=901#.U7rK16t_3jk.twitter

As per the article they'd like 4 aircraft by Fall 2015 to operate the Alberta-Hawaii flights. So I THINK that would rule out the 787. Any thoughts?

[YYCspotter]

I think that they are going to go for 4 used 763's. It seems logical with plenty available and it's the perfect size aircraft for long haul ops in Canada.

Also I wonder what opens around fall 2015? Oh that's right the international expansion. Hopefully with WJ going to wide bodies over time they will help fill the empty gates when this opens.

[Canadian74]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

WestJet has confirmed they are going to go with wide-bodies as early as Fall 2015:

http://westjet2.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=901#.U7rK16t_3jk.twitter

As per the article they'd like 4 aircraft by Fall 2015 to operate the Alberta-Hawaii flights. So I THINK that would rule out the 787. Any thoughts?

Wow this is very big news imo. It came much sooner than I expected.
Wish them luck!

[Spring2008]

Might mean some direct flights to UAE soon? Overall good for the economy, could use some more Dubai money investment in Calgary haha

Abdullah Bin Zayed meets John Baird
Abdullah and delegation also received by Mayor of Calgary

Calgary: Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister, and John Baird, the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, discussed relations between the UAE and Canada and ways to boost them to serve common interests.
The ministers held talks in the city of Calgary during Shaikh Abdullah’s official visit to Canada.
During the meeting, both parties discussed areas of cooperation between the UAE and Canada, especially in trade, investment, economy, health, education and infrastructure, as well as agriculture, food security, and renewable and alternative energy, the last two of which the UAE has extensive experience in through Masdar City.
They also reviewed opportunities to increase trade and strengthen cooperation in the field of investment at all levels through coordination, and introduce investment opportunities in various vital sectors in the two countries. They emphasised the importance of direct dialogue between competent companies in both countries to stimulate economic initiatives for the establishment of joint ventures.


The meeting also covered the latest developments in the regional and international arenas and issues of common concern.
Shaikh Abdullah highlighted the UAE’s keenness to build strategic relationships with Canada and the importance of continuing to build partnerships for the future.
He also stressed that the UAE has become a global investment destination and centre for regional and international investors thanks to its unique investment environment, as well as its modern and sophisticated infrastructure, in addition to its strategic and vital geographic location as a focal point between the continents of the world, referring also to political and security stability and the availability of a contemporary economic legislative system in the country.
For his part, the Canadian Foreign Minister commended the constructive role played by the UAE in addressing regional and global challenges and issues.
“We have a strong relationship with the UAE and we cooperate and discuss together a number of issues,” Baird said, noting that the UAE is one of the largest trading partners of Canada in the Arabian Gulf region and the Arab world. Baird also described the progress and achievements witnessed by the UAE as “amazing”.
Shaikh Abdullah and his delegation were also received by Naheed Nenshi, the Mayor of Calgary.
During the meeting, Shaikh Abdullah and the Mayor discussed bilateral relations and ways of boosting investment, trade and tourism between the two friendly countries.
Shaikh Abdullah expressed his pleasure at visiting Calgary and stressed the importance of the exchange of experiences between the two sides through joint projects which will benefit the two countries and its peoples.
Nenshi said the meeting will contribute to strengthening relations of cooperation, friendship and partnership between the UAE and Canada, adding that the development and progress found in the UAE is comparable to many global cities, which will enhance opportunities for mutual cooperation.

http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/government/abdullah-bin-zayed-meets-john-baird-1.1356930

[Bigtime]

Thanks for finding that!

[PPAR]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

WestJet has confirmed they are going to go with wide-bodies as early as Fall 2015:

http://westjet2.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=901#.U7rK16t_3jk.twitter

As per the article they'd like 4 aircraft by Fall 2015 to operate the Alberta-Hawaii flights. So I THINK that would rule out the 787. Any thoughts?

This is a slam dunk move for westjet right now. The market to Hawaii from western Canada is somewhat under served in the winter- and it appeared over the past year that the US Airlines are not, at present, that much interested in working the market (no streamlining of connections or aggressive pricing).
The summer can just be a redirect of the aircraft to European destinations. Air Canada Rouge has not exactly had a stellar launch judging by the comments on Flyertalk...

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by PPAR

This is a slam dunk move for westjet right now. The market to Hawaii from western Canada is somewhat under served in the winter- and it appeared over the past year that the US Airlines are not, at present, that much interested in working the market (no streamlining of connections or aggressive pricing).
The summer can just be a redirect of the aircraft to European destinations. Air Canada Rouge has not exactly had a stellar launch judging by the comments on Flyertalk...

Does that really matter if it makes money though? Flyertalk is where the frequent travellers go and discuss, for most of the public though it is price price price.

I'd hope WS would keep 2 planes in the summer season operating YYC-Hawaii. I've always thought we could easily sustain it.

[tuffyy]

Originally Posted by PPAR

This is a slam dunk move for westjet right now. The market to Hawaii from western Canada is somewhat under served in the winter- and it appeared over the past year that the US Airlines are not, at present, that much interested in working the market (no streamlining of connections or aggressive pricing).
The summer can just be a redirect of the aircraft to European destinations. Air Canada Rouge has not exactly had a stellar launch judging by the comments on Flyertalk...

Exactly.

763's would be a perfect fit for the airline also allowing for transatlantic access from Western Canada during the summer months.

I see the aircraft being deployed on existing markets such as YYC-Hawaii, YVR-Hawaii (freeing up 737's) and YEG-Hawaii.

[lubicon]

My source at WestJet tells me they are looking at everything and anything, nothing is off the table but still there are some more scenarios that are more likely than others.

They would prefer to lease rather than buy which does narrow their options a little bit. They would also rather get them together from the same source rather than pick them up piecemeal and have to deal with a bunch of different interiors and other items of this nature.

Apparently there are A330's kicking around but I think their may be a little internal reluctance to go with Airbus over Boeing (or maybe that is just my source's wishful preference). There's also the size difference in that (apparently) the 330 is a little bigger than some of the 767's and they may be reluctant to pick up something that large and run the risk of not being able to sell the seats.

767's would be the obvious and preferred choice but it is apparently more difficult to find ones that are in decent condition, and not old beat up ones.

And yes, they apparently have been offered 787's by Boeing who are trying to unload some of the earlier ones that came off the production line. The risk here is these are somewhat oddball, and are heavier than the current models coming off the line so there is no real way to determine what the economics would look like. Plus they would be purchases and I don't think the company is willing to risk shelling out that kind of money on an airplane that might not pan out.

So it sounds like its likely to be either 767's or A330's, with a slight edge going to the 767. Still an outside chance they could go with 787 but I would doubt it.

[Full Mountain]

Originally Posted by tuffyy

Exactly.

763's would be a perfect fit for the airline also allowing for transatlantic access from Western Canada during the summer months.

I see the aircraft being deployed on existing markets such as YYC-Hawaii, YVR-Hawaii (freeing up 737's) and YEG-Hawaii.

Any reason they wouldn't go 772? Availability?

[lubicon]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Does that really matter if it makes money though? Flyertalk is where the frequent travellers go and discuss, for most of the public though it is price price price.

I'd hope WS would keep 2 planes in the summer season operating YYC-Hawaii. I've always thought we could easily sustain it.

Probably not, at least initially. SOunds like they will start with YYC/YEG-Hawaii in the winter and then go YYC/YYZ Europe in the summer. With only 4 aircraft that is pretty much how it would have to be. Maybe they could go with summer Hawaii service in a few years if the widebody fleet grows.

Originally Posted by freeweed

Yeah, up here in Royal Oak it seems like we're seeing fewer planes overhead. It's still pretty early days but I wonder if this is a trend.

It is most certainly a trend. 29 departures and 11 arrivals have pretty much gone away, so everyone on the west side of the airport is the biggest beneficiary. Panorama, Royal Oak, Coventry/Country/Harvest Hills, Evanston.

Castleridge/Falconridge still have 29 arrivals after 11 pm, they kinda got the short end.

[Bokimon]

What about the Tuploevs and Illuyshin's? Don't rule them out haha!
WJ going for some Russian metal, that would surely be an incredible day no matter how unlikely. But that would be happening in another dimension.

Would heavy ops to Mexico also work for winters? I remember AC used some 767s for a few odd flights during the winter season to hit places like PVR.
It also looks like our Sheikh royalty has departed this afternoon.

[casper]

Originally Posted by Bokimon

What about the Tuploevs and Illuyshin's? Don't rule them out haha!
WJ going for some Russian metal, that would surely be an incredible day no matter how unlikely. But that would be happening in another dimension.

Would heavy ops to Mexico also work for winters? I remember AC used some 767s for a few odd flights during the winter season to hit places like PVR.
It also looks like our Sheikh royalty has departed this afternoon.

In the summer they could also use them on the Vancouver - Toronto and Calgary - Toronto run. Air Canada uses widebodies on those routes mostly to drive up utilization between overseas flights.

Air Canada even uses widebodies on the Toronto - Montreal and Toronto - Ottawa route during peek periods during the day.