Air Canada billboard leaves some Edmontonians feeling insulted

EDMONTON – An Air Canada billboard in Edmonton advertising direct flights to Europe out of Calgary is striking a nerve.

“I think it’s a slap in the face,” said Norm Hachey, a local business owner.

Hachey says he noticed the billboard, located near his tire shop on Whyte Ave. and 100 St., about a week ago.

“I read into some politics there and I don’t understand what it is, but I’m sure there’s issues going on with Air Canada and the International Airport. Because there’s no reason at all to advertise that in Edmonton,” he added.

Relations between the Edmonton International Airport (EIA) and the airline have been a little turbulent since last fall, when Air Canada cancelled its direct flight between Edmonton and London during winter months. It cited a lack of passenger demand as the reason.

While Air Canada insisted that move was “purely a business decision,” some feel the company’s latest billboard is simply pouring salt in an existing wound.

“We’ve struggled a lot already to try to get people to fly EIA,” said Hidar El-Mais from the company Travel Gurus.

“I really truly hope consumers take a look at billboards like that and realize there are other options.”

In an emailed statement to Global News, Air Canada spokesperson Angela Mah says the Edmonton billboard was an error.

 “This billboard is our Calgary ad, which Air Canada clearly did not authorize to run in Edmonton. We are currently tracking down with our marketing agencies to determine how and where the error occurred, and this billboard is being removed immediately.”

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Mistake or not, Hachey isn’t impressed.

“I’ll wait and book a flight directly out of Edmonton,” he says. “I won’t go through Calgary.”

The EIA did not wish to comment.

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With files from Fletcher Kent, Global News