From the numerous delays and cancellations during the holiday season to Sunwing Airlines canceling flights out of the province, it’s been a tumultuous few months at Saskatchewan airports. But two big announcements this week from Regina and Saskatoon aim to keep travelers busy.
On Monday, the Regina Airport Authority announced that WestJet is adding direct flights to Kelowna on Thursdays and Sundays beginning May 21. This is in addition to the other direct flights to Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg — some of which are also or exclusively offered through Air Canada — also starting this summer.
“I would say it’s a good start,” said Justin Reves, manager of customer experience and marketing at the Regina Airport Authority.
“The more places you have to stop, get off and change trains, the more likely something could happen – that’s where direct flights are really good.”
Some passengers say this announcement gives them hope that these direct flights will remain and more flights to hot destinations will be added, so they don’t have to worry about or adjust their travel plans again.
Regina’s Andrea Taylor says she and her family of six had to pay hundreds of dollars to rebook their flights to Mexico after learning they only had a short layover in Calgary. She says they didn’t want to be involved in any delays that would put off their long-awaited sunny vacation.
“For the peace of mind we do it,” she said.
For frequent business travelers like Sam Allouche, the fact that they have more direct flights means they might reconsider checked bags.
“I didn’t check any bags – I only brought carry-on bags, especially because of the baggage issues we saw. Direct flights make it much easier,” he said.
Direct round trip transportation from Saskatoon to Minneapolis
Saskatoon announced on Friday that flights to Minneapolis would be returning via WestJet.
This comes after Delta Airlines pulled that flight from Saskatoon in 2016 and later all of its service in mid-2020.
“We’ve been involved in these discussions with WestJet essentially ever since [2020]hoping they can bring that flight back to us,” said CJ Dushinski, vice president of business development at Saskatoon Airport.
Jeremy Harrison, the province’s minister for trade and export development, says this is also welcome news for people traveling for work.
“Having these direct connections to US hub cities where you can go anywhere in the world – with one flight change – is really what our business community has been asking for,” he said.
Direct flights from Saskatoon to Minneapolis are scheduled to begin June 17.
