Saskatoon and Regina Air Service

[Hawker]

Originally Posted by casper

I think they are also look at slowly phasing out the 50 seat CRJs. It may not have sufficient volume to support a larger aircraft.

The one think that was always weird about that early morning flight when I had taken it was you arrive in Denver 10 minutes or so before customs open and they are not allowed to open the door to the aircraft until the customs people are at their stations and give the ok.

You have hit the nail on the head Casper. The retiring of the CRJs is a big reason for this route shutdown. United is moving to 786 seaters, and less of them than they had of the 50 seaters. I would not be surprised to see a bunch of routes United has now either cut completely, or their frequency cut as the bigger planes come online.
Shocking though that non tourist flights (Vegas and Phoenix) to the States are now down to one destination. Hopefully either Westjet can increase their frequency down south, or Delta comes in with an SLC connection. I would be very suprised if AC did any transborder flights.

[Draftsman]

Originally Posted by Hawker

You have hit the nail on the head Casper. The retiring of the CRJs is a big reason for this route shutdown. United is moving to 786 seaters, and less of them than they had of the 50 seaters. I would not be surprised to see a bunch of routes United has now either cut completely, or their frequency cut as the bigger planes come online.
Shocking though that non tourist flights (Vegas and Phoenix) to the States are now down to one destination. Hopefully either Westjet can increase their frequency down south, or Delta comes in with an SLC connection. I would be very suprised if AC did any transborder flights.

If I am not mistaken, the flights to Denver are operated by SkyWest Airlines, which operates a fleet of 342 aircraft in partnership with several legacy carriers in the US including United, Delta, US Airlines, American and Alaska.
According to their website, their fleet is comprised of 163 CRJ200 (50 seats) -these service Regina; 79 CRJ700 (70 seats) +19 CRJ700 (65 seats), 36 CRJ900 (76 seats), 25 EMB120 turboprop (30 seats) and 20 E175 (76 seats).
So yes, they operate a lot of CRJ's. If they plan to replace them it will be a long and very expensive process, so this is definitely not the reason United is terminating the YQR-DEN and YXE-DEN flights.

[scotty c]

Adding a Delta flight to SLC would open up a lot of the Western US destinations that were served by Denver which would be nice. Who knows if that is feasible or not.

I really didn't like flying United but it was always nice to have that option as a fall back if the connections via WestJet didn't work out or the price was a bit too high.

Customs is going to be a pretty lonely place over the summer months with only a couple flights a day coming in.

[Robag]

Originally Posted by scotty c

Adding a Delta flight to SLC would open up a lot of the Western US destinations that were served by Denver which would be nice. Who knows if that is feasible or not.

I really didn't like flying United but it was always nice to have that option as a fall back if the connections via WestJet didn't work out or the price was a bit too high.

Customs is going to be a pretty lonely place over the summer months with only a couple flights a day coming in.

Often more times than not, United had a better price than any of the other competing airlines, at least when I was looking to book. We actually flew more times on United to Vegas than we did with the direct from Regina on Westjet as it was a much better price, and we could get into Vegas early afternoon as opposed to the early evening that the WS flight gives you.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Robag

Often more times than not, United had a better price than any of the other competing airlines, at least when I was looking to book. We actually flew more times on United to Vegas than we did with the direct from Regina on Westjet as it was a much better price, and we could get into Vegas early afternoon as opposed to the early evening that the WS flight gives you.

Agreed. I don't think people in Man./Sask. fully appreciate the amazing deals you can sometimes find on United and Delta. I get the impression a lot of people just go to the Air Canada and Westjet websites by default and forget about the other options for going to the US or internationally.

[UPP]

Originally Posted by esquire

Agreed. I don't think people in Man./Sask. fully appreciate the amazing deals you can sometimes find on United and Delta. I get the impression a lot of people just go to the Air Canada and Westjet websites by default and forget about the other options for going to the US or internationally.

I think, at least with Regina, United was cannibalizing itself with way cheaper fares out of the US. For instance, I flew from Minot to Denver, to Houston to Guatemala City last year for $800/person. From Regina to Denver, then getting on the same flights the rest of the way was $1250/person. For a family of 4 it was a no-brainer. There were other Regina people on the flight from Denver to Minot too.

[SkydivePilot]

Originally Posted by Hawker

You have hit the nail on the head Casper. The retiring of the CRJs is a big reason for this route shutdown. United is moving to 786 seaters, and less of them than they had of the 50 seaters. I would not be surprised to see a bunch of routes United has now either cut completely, or their frequency cut as the bigger planes come online.
Shocking though that non tourist flights (Vegas and Phoenix) to the States are now down to one destination. Hopefully either Westjet can increase their frequency down south, or Delta comes in with an SLC connection. I would be very suprised if AC did any transborder flights.

Oh yah? Explain as to why the Chicago route was dropped a few months ago; they were using CRJ-700s. ( . . . and with high load factors.)

(I'll give you a clue; it is as I had stated above.)

[kalin_10]

Definitely a negative note for both YXE and YQR. I'm quite surprised they pulled their service as stats indicated passenger loads were increasing year over year. I anticipate ticket prices will increase. I believe it's going to be very difficult for SAA to bring in another airline for transborder flights or even ask other airlines to further their transborder routes out of YXE. A huge blow to YXE expansion goals!

To end on a positive note, SAA and YXE is reporting a 6.7% increase year over year in 2014 or over 1.480 million passengers.

[Hawker]

Originally Posted by Draftsman

If I am not mistaken, the flights to Denver are operated by SkyWest Airlines, which operates a fleet of 342 aircraft in partnership with several legacy carriers in the US including United, Delta, US Airlines, American and Alaska.
According to their website, their fleet is comprised of 163 CRJ200 (50 seats) -these service Regina; 79 CRJ700 (70 seats) +19 CRJ700 (65 seats), 36 CRJ900 (76 seats), 25 EMB120 turboprop (30 seats) and 20 E175 (76 seats).
So yes, they operate a lot of CRJ's. If they plan to replace them it will be a long and very expensive process, so this is definitely not the reason United is terminating the YQR-DEN and YXE-DEN flights.

Good digging Draftsman, if you would have dug even further you would have found out that Skywest/United Express is getting rid of all their 50 seaters and adding 76 seaters, with a drop of over 30 planes.
Source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspe...h-to-earnings/

[casper]

Originally Posted by Draftsman

If I am not mistaken, the flights to Denver are operated by SkyWest Airlines, which operates a fleet of 342 aircraft in partnership with several legacy carriers in the US including United, Delta, US Airlines, American and Alaska.
According to their website, their fleet is comprised of 163 CRJ200 (50 seats) -these service Regina; 79 CRJ700 (70 seats) +19 CRJ700 (65 seats), 36 CRJ900 (76 seats), 25 EMB120 turboprop (30 seats) and 20 E175 (76 seats).
So yes, they operate a lot of CRJ's. If they plan to replace them it will be a long and very expensive process, so this is definitely not the reason United is terminating the YQR-DEN and YXE-DEN flights.

They have around 90 E175 on order that they are taking delivery of between now and 2020. Another 100 Mitsubishi MRJ 90 (somewhere around 75-100 seats) that they take delivery starting in 2017 and another 100 Next Generation E175 that they start taking deliver in 2020.

[Marksman]

On a positive note for Saskatoon, Air Canada appears to be adding a sixth daily flight during the summer to Toronto using the E75. The flight leaves at roughly 1AM and gets to Toronto at 6AM, so it's a red-eye. All other flights are still with the E90. Good news for YXE!

[one_brick_at_a_time]

Originally Posted by Marksman

On a positive note for Saskatoon, Air Canada appears to be adding a sixth daily flight during the summer to Toronto using the E75. The flight leaves at roughly 1AM and gets to Toronto at 6AM, so it's a red-eye. All other flights are still with the E90. Good news for YXE!

Hopefully Regina can get this service as well. Has Delta been approached by either airport about expanding their service to other US destinations from YQR and YXE? Now that United is gone and with Delta/Northwest Airlines' long commitment to both airports hopefully they might want to expand.

Still wondering if American Airlines would be a good candidate to service Regina and Saskatoon.

[kalin_10]

Old news, however, Canadian Aviation News also reported United's decision to pull out of the Saskatchewan market. Read it at http://canadianaviationnews.wordpres...oon-to-denver/

[casper]

Originally Posted by kalin_10

Old news, however, Canadian Aviation News also reported United's decision to pull out of the Saskatchewan market. Read it at http://canadianaviationnews.wordpres...oon-to-denver/

What would be interesting is the impact it has on the Phoenix flight. It is a hub for American Airlines (US Airlines) and WestJet and American code share on each others flights.

[dsmmace]

I am hearing of a luggage offload expansion starting at the Regina Airport soon. Seems like they are going to follow the same 'expand in phases' that the Saskatoon Airport did.

[SkydivePilot]

Originally Posted by dsmmace

I am hearing of a luggage offload expansion starting at the Regina Airport soon. Seems like they are going to follow the same 'expand in phases' that the Saskatoon Airport did.

This is news for me; however, major terminal expansion won't really start until '18.

I'll find out more soon.

[Draftsman]

Do any pilots or aviation experts in here know why the antennas atop the SaskPower Building on Victoria Avenue, as well as the one atop City Hall, are not required to have aircraft warning lights? The antenna that used to be atop the Canadiana Apartments on Broad Street had one. Many high rises, most cell phone towers, and all construction cranes around town have them. I'm curious. Thanks!

[SkydivePilot]

Originally Posted by Draftsman

Do any pilots or aviation experts in here know why the antennas atop the SaskPower Building on Victoria Avenue, as well as the one atop City Hall, are not required to have aircraft warning lights? The antenna that used to be atop the Canadiana Apartments on Broad Street had one. Many high rises, most cell phone towers, and all construction cranes around town have them. I'm curious. Thanks!

Yes, they should have them on there. I'd bet that one phone call to Nav Canada would rectify that.

Good call!

[SkydivePilot]

On February 2, 2015, during the 2015 Routes Americas Marketing Awards Presentation, Regina International Airport (RIA) was awarded the Marketing Award in the Under 4 Million Passengers category. RIA was nominated and shortlisted by North American airlines as an Authority doing a positive job marketing their airport. A further submission was evaluated by a selected panel of airlines. We were told our submission had the most passion and was the most thorough. More details in the press release below.

PRESS RELEASE: Routes Americas 2015 Marketing Awards Winners Announced

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport crowned overall winner in first regional heat of Routes Awards 2015

PRESS RELEASE: Routes Americas 2015 Marketing Awards Winners Announced

3rd February 2015, Denver, Colorado, USA

Last night during a fantastic networking evening hosted by Denver International Airport and its partners at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport was announced as the winner of the first heat of the 2015 Routes Marketing Awards. Over 650 aviation professionals were gathered to witness the presentation of the awards and to take part in the 8th Routes Americas – the only route development event for the entire Americas.

Speaking just after receiving the award Austin Bergstrom International Airport’s Assistant Director, Jamy Kazanoff said: "We are absolutely delighted about the win, but a little shocked to pick this up given we were up against other airports with such high business credentials. It means a lot to us to be recognised by our airline partners for what we have achieved and I would like to thank them all for showing support in our journey to turn Austin-Bergstrom International Airport into one of the nation's most successful airports."

The annual Routes Marketing Awards are highly regarded as the most prestigious awards in the industry as they are voted for and judged by the airline network planning community. They provide the airline community with the chance to have their say as to which airport or tourism authority they think provides the best overall marketing services to them whether this relates to their particular relationship, effective results, provision of data and information or innovative techniques to establish new or maintain and develop existing routes.

As overall winner of this regional heat of the Routes Marketing Awards Austin-Bergstrom will be automatically shortlisted for the World Routes Marketing Awards which will take place at the event in Durban, 19-22 September 2015.

Austin-Bergstrom was also named as the winner from the 4-20 million passengers category with Orlando International Airport honoured from the over 20 million passengers category. From the under 4 million passengers category Regina Airport Authority were ranked top and the Destination Award went to Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority for the second consecutive year.

“We are delighted to announce Austin-Bergstrom International Airport as the winner of this regional heat of our marketing awards and would like to congratulate them and all of our winners,” commented Katie Bland, Director Routes, UBM EMEA continuing: “In the past 12 months Austin-Bergstrom has achieved record growth and has surpassed the 10.7 million figure for 2014 with capacity up by 7.0%. With 4 new carriers and 8 new destinations, the airport now offers 44 destinations served by 13 carriers.”

The shortlisted finalists were nominated by airlines and a respected panel of judges made up of senior members of the airline network planning community from the region then reviewed the lists and submissions from the nominated airports in order to determine the winners. The panel consisted of the following experts:



· John Kirby, Vice President of Capacity, Alaska Airlines

· Adriana Hurtado, Director of Network Planning, Avianca

· Dave Clark, VP Network Planning, Jetblue Airways

· John Weatherill, Director Network and Schedule Planning, WestJet Airlines

· Lukas Johnson, VP Network and Pricing, Allegiant Air

· Angel Garcia, Network Planning Director, VivaAeroBus



The full list of companies shortlisted under each award category were as follows:



Over 20 Million Passengers

Orlando International Airport - Winner

George Bush Intercontinental Airport – Highly Commended

Chicago O'Hare International Airport

McCarran International Airport

Toronto Pearson International Airport



4-20 Million Passengers

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport - Winner

Tampa International Airport – Highly Commended

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport

Pittsburgh International Airport

Punta Cana International Airport



Under 4 Million Passengers

Regina Airport Authority - Winner

Aruba Airport Authority N.V. – Highly Commended

Sangster International Airport

Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport

University Park Airport



Destination Award

Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority - Winner

Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board

Visit Jacksonville



Overall Winner

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Source: Routes Americas 2015 Marketing Awards

[SkydivePilot]

Regina received First Place with regards to the 4-million and under, and Toronto was Fifth in the 20-million-plus category.

Congratulations to the Regina Airport Authority!!!