YEG - Edmonton Int Airport

[tuffyy]

Seriously?

They should just ditch it... Oh but wait! Can't let someone else move in on the route... I seriously hope EIA "un-promotes" that flight. It's time for someone else who can and wants to commit to the route in...

It amazes me how AC really does screw you guys at YEG. Stick to your hub and let EIA gain another foreign tail with better euro connections... Time to go AC... Time to go.

[Rocket252]

So we get screwed from both ends because by AC coming back in March we probably will not get BA coming in to fill the winter void.
AC if your going to go then leave already

[Rocket252]

From CTV

Published Wednesday, October 9, 2013 5:23PM MDT
In the wake of rumours surrounding the future of direct flights between the Edmonton International Airport, and London’s Heathrow Airport – Air Canada has confirmed the non-stop flights won’t run over part of the coming winter.
In a statement, Air Canada said since it was introduced about six years ago, the Edmonton-London route had not been profitable over the winter.
As a result, the direct flight won’t operate between January 8, and March 28, 2014 – the flights will begin again starting March 29, with five flights each week.
Then, starting on May 1, there will be daily direct flights throughout the summer.
Concerns over the direct service arose Wednesday, after reports the service could see changes in the future surfaced - a source in the travel industry told CTV News that local travel agents had fielded a number of calls over the flights, but no advisory had been sent out.

[tuffyy]

"Not profitable"... Took 6 winters and a much bigger city in 6 years to decide that huh? I smell bull $%#*.

Kinda sounds like someone's playing possum to spook any competition. A quick look at the AC seat maps for the next 2 weeks sure shows a 80-90% full flight including first class seats looking awfully full.

[Rocket252]

“Despite ongoing promotional initiatives over the past six years, the Edmonton-London route has always been a challenge to be profitable during the winter months,” said Angela Mah, in an email.

“As a result, Air Canada has taken a commercial decision to not operate the Edmonton-London flights between January 8 (and) March 28, 2014. The non-stop flights re-start March 29 with (five) weekly flights ramping up to daily on May 1 for the summer season.”

[Rocket252]

So I assume the transborder and sun destination routes through YEG are then very unprofitable for AC as we have none of those.

Garbage excuse

[tuffyy]

Originally Posted by Rocket252

So I assume the transborder and sun destination routes through YEG are then very unprofitable for AC as we have none of those.

Garbage excuse

Yes, that's why everyone else is ramping up winter flying from YEG.

On better note according to a article posted by Johnny Aussie it sounds like Allegiant air will be starting flights from Florida to western Canadian cities... I would assume YEG is in the works.

[Johnny Aussie]

Originally Posted by tuffyy

Yes, that's why everyone else is ramping up winter flying from YEG.

On better note according to a article posted by Johnny Aussie it sounds like Allegiant air will be starting flights from Florida to western Canadian cities... I would assume YEG is in the works.

I would say it really only is Sunwing ramping up YEG service this winter. Air Transat is pretty much the same (probably a slight increase though) but Westjet is exactly same flying as last winter for transborder and Mexico whilst they are going to be scaling back mainline flying in favour of Encore on certain domestic routes.

As for Allegiant....

I actually meant to copy and paste the same article in here. I was assuming YYC and YEG are in the works.

Here it is:

Just saw this article about Allegiant looking at Canada flights as early as "Winter 2014."

I realise this has been discussed before, but now have a better timeline.

"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."

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/art...ansion-391377/

[EdmTrekker]

I hope EIA folks are working on seeing if Icelandair can start flights in January (earlier than March) as this will help with creating momentum for Icelandair going forward and help us in getting to Europe during the hiatus that AC has announce (and cheaper and faster to the continental Europe).

[cyeg66]

I thought Icelandair was always planning a Jan start...? Guess I picked a bad week to stop sniffing glue. In any event, fuck AC. I mean, really? Holy consolidation out east, batman! Keep losing money, asshats! Be my guest. Things may be different if Trudeau (and I shudder at the the thought of his mimbo heir apparent taking the inevitable reins) hadn't made it law for AC to have bilingual staff on each of their flights. In case it wasn't clear then, and especially now since they've forcibly taken over CP since the late 90's, it is now that terribly clear that western bases are disadvantaged against the east (where francophones are somewhat plentiful by comparison).

It IS THE WHOLE REASON: Transborder from YEG: 0
International from YEG: (now) 0
Transborder from YYC: dwindling (handed to UA)

Honestly, outsiders can say: "Screw Edmonton for not "appreciating" the LHR service that AC gave them "(as though that wasn't self-serving) but we all know what their goal intra-Alberta is so it comes as no shock to us. I'm aware WS is and forever will bleed YYC, I can only hope international service becomes part of their goals because they wouldn't be hindered by archaic bilingual FA rules and they would understand the true purchasing power of YEG. A350's in their outdated colours would still look nice....... Just thinking outloud.

[kcantor]

an open letter to air canada - their executives are listed here:

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

and the nomenclature is [email protected]

"Dear Sirs,

According to the Edmonton Journal’s most recent reporting, it is Air Canada’s intention to cease offering flights between Edmonton International Airport and London’s Heathrow Airport.

My wife and I don’t travel a lot but in the last five or six years, in any given year we will typically get to Europe once, Toronto once, Vancouver once and Palm Springs once. On a less frequent but regular basis there will be a trip to Asia and/or New York and/or Florida and/or Phoenix as well and we are in the process of booking a weekend getaway to Victoria next month while also planning a trip to Chicago next year.

We are “loyal” Air Canada fliers and never fly on another carrier if Air Canada can meet our needs. We also NEVER fly out of Calgary or connect through Calgary even if that means changing our plans and we actively solicit the same position from both our personal and business contacts.

We have been loyal to Edmonton International Airport recognizing that every piece of business is an important part of the critical mass needed to create a successful business. We have also directed that same loyalty towards Air Canada because of their commitment to providing increased service and connections such as that exemplified by the above noted YEG/LHR flight.

Business development, regardless of the business you are in, requires both commitment and surety. Air Canada had my business because they were demonstrating those things to the Edmonton market. As long as that was the case, I was happy to provide you with all of my business wherever possible even though you were often not the most convenient and seldom the least expensive alternative (noting as well that we are as likely to fly first class or business class as economy). We were not “on” all of those YEG/LHR flights but were prepared to support the company operating them with those flights we were “on” as our investment in YEG/LHR and hopefully in seeing Frankfurt and others added in the future.

My expectations of a national carrier is to provide a bundle of services that should meet most if not all of my travel requirements and I have always been prepared to purchase the entire bundle to support the total package. The connections you are withdrawing were an integral part of the bundle I have been prepared to pay for and pay a premium for. As you apparently see fit to withdraw your service and commitment to provide and invest in that bundle– even if on an announced temporary or short term basis – to Edmonton, please be advised that I will be exercising the very same prerogative to purchase none of the bundle that remains.

Regards,

Ken"

[adam-machiavelli]

I've been reading all these livid posts about Air Canada's temporary service reduction and have just been laughing at your inability to see the big picture. Whether it's Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, Sunwing, or something else, all they see is the dollar bill. These airlines don't care whether their flights come from Calgary, Edmonton, or elsewhere. They'll reward you one day and screw you over the next if it means they can make a few more pennies. Whether I fly with one airline or another, they're all the same as long as I can afford the air ticket.

[Rocket252]

A little less screwing and a bit more rewarding would be appreciated please.

[kcantor]

Originally Posted by adam-machiavelli

I've been reading all these livid posts about Air Canada's temporary service reduction and have just been laughing at your inability to see the big picture. Whether it's Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, Sunwing, or something else, all they see is the dollar bill. These airlines don't care whether their flights come from Calgary, Edmonton, or elsewhere. They'll reward you one day and screw you over the next if it means they can make a few more pennies. Whether I fly with one airline or another, they're all the same as long as I can afford the air ticket.

they're not "all the same" if you're somewhere or want to get somewhere on a regular basis with a minimum of hassle and there is no direct flight. if you are in london or amsterdam or hamburg and want to do business here - or vice versa -it is not possible without good, convenient direct flights. and if you are involved in a business relationship you need to be able to access those fights reliably all year round, not just when it's convenient for the carrier. without that service commitment business becomes harder to conduct here and more tempted to do business or locate business elsewhere. that's what needs to be supported and my money will go to those that are prepared to invest in that with me, not to those prepared to offer "sunshine only" service.

[tuffyy]

The only widebodies YEG will see this winter are TS A330's as it appears they are taking over the bulk of the winter flying up from the A310's.

In reality it's a very short reduction by AC. I'm curious if it will be a 763 coming back on the route since the transition to Rouge is in full swing. Maybe a 330 next spring?

[ACT7]

Originally Posted by adam-machiavelli

I've been reading all these livid posts about Air Canada's temporary service reduction and have just been laughing at your inability to see the big picture. Whether it's Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, Sunwing, or something else, all they see is the dollar bill. These airlines don't care whether their flights come from Calgary, Edmonton, or elsewhere. They'll reward you one day and screw you over the next if it means they can make a few more pennies. Whether I fly with one airline or another, they're all the same as long as I can afford the air ticket.

Couldn't agree with you more on that. I'm not defending AC per se, but the only thing they're interested in is making money, and like every single other airline on the planet, the easiest way to do that is to consolidate at a major hub, or maybe two. Don't think for a second that YVR and YYC count as true hubs either - one just has to look at their international, transborder, or even domestic service from AC. And remember, AC dropped YYZ-DEL years ago because it wasn't profitable with a 767 via ZRH...even though the flight was jam packed every single day. At the time, people were sent into a frenzy!
Maybe YEG will see 787 service to LHR reinstated, but there isn't a single political/hate-on for Western Canada reason for AC to drop this flight. It's all about share price and nothing more.

That said, I do hope YEG sees more international service in the coming years from more foreign airlines. And, I do agree that the whole bilingual law for AC is absurd. They should be allowed to locate their head office wherever the hell they choose and hire whoever the hell they want.

[hilman]

If the easiest way to make money is to use a hub system, why does AC continually lose money?

It shouldn't take a genius to wonder, if you're continually losing money, maybe your business plan/model is wrong???? Nope, let's continue doing what we are doing......

[YYCspotter]

Originally Posted by hilman

If the easiest way to make money is to use a hub system, why does AC continually lose money?

It shouldn't take a genius to wonder, if you're continually losing money, maybe the business plan/model is wrong???? Nope, let's continue doing what we are doing......

Their cost structure was too high. With all this cost cutting recently announced they are heading towards a return to profitability. Couple the cost cutting with an increased focus on their strengths/most profitable areas (international flights) they are heading in the right direction. Just look at what their share price has done recently.

[Hallsy's Toupee]

My one and only tie to Air Canada is a whole shitload of Aeroplan miles. At this point, I am considering cancelling my Aeroplan. But what to do with those miles, apart from donating them? Are there better alternatives than Aeroplan or Air Miles?

[Jasper and one o nin]

Perhaps AC would be more profitable on their routes if they had fewer vice presidents