‘Ill-considered:’ Economic Development Regina CEO reacts to Air Canada decision

Passengers aren’t the only ones complaining about Air Canada’s decision to stop flying from Saskatchewan cities to Calgary.

In a letter Wednesday to Air Canada brass, Economic Development Regina president and CEO Chris Lane raised the organization’s concerns about the move.

“It is with disappointment we learned of Air Canada’s decision to suspend direct flights between Regina and Calgary, effectively tripling the travel time between the two centres,” Lane wrote. “As one of Canada’s fastest-growing economies and population areas, the need for connectivity and the opportunity it presents for airlines is as necessary as it is mutually beneficial.”

The airline is eliminating flights from Regina and Saskatoon to Calgary starting Jan. 16, as it has decided to focus on its main hubs of Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. For Regina and Saskatoon, Air Canada flights to and from Toronto and Vancouver will continue.

Lane pointed to the major companies that call Regina home — including Viterra, Farm Credit Canada, Brandt, AGT Foods and The Mosaic Company — and the investment they’re making in the city. As well, he mentioned Canadian Western Agribition and Canada’s Farm Show and the international visitors those shows attract to Regina.

“Consider too, that direct connection to Calgary is not only a gateway to Alberta but also it is the most effective and efficient way for Regina travellers to access Air Canada’s Star Alliance and code share partners — and for international travellers to access Regina in return,” Lane wrote.

“As the world reworks its supply chain networks post-pandemic and amid geopolitical instability, Regina’s place as a node of dependable, sustainable food and fertilizer has never been more important to the global economy.”

Lane said Regina’s projected economic and population growth numbers are similar to those of Calgary and of Saskatoon, so the decision to suspend flights that connect those three “is more than disappointing; it is ill-considered.”

The provincial government also weighed in, with Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison issuing a statement.

“We are disappointed, but not surprised, that Air Canada has cut direct flights from Regina and Saskatoon to Calgary given that the airline is reducing the size of their Calgary hub and has cut many flights to other Alberta and B.C. communities,” Harrison wrote.

“The Government of Saskatchewan will continue to work with local airport authorities to attract, retain and expand direct air service routes to and from our province.”