Winter vacation seekers looking to fly out of Regina and Saskatoon will have one less option to choose from next winter.
Air Transat informed both Regina and Saskatoon airport authorities in early May it will no longer be flying into the two cities.
The company said it is reviewing its current routes and destinations while updating its fleet, in addition to changing aircraft type, but hopes to return to the province in the next couple of years with routes to new destinations once those changes have been made.
“They’re making a significant change in aircraft type, and they’re hoping to come back to the province in the next couple of years once those changes are done,” said James Bogusz, president and CEO of Regina Airport Authority.
“We don’t like to lose anything here at YQR, but we certainly hope that if there’s an opportunity for others to come into the market, whether it be Sunwing, Air Canada, or West Jet, to fill those gaps, we expect there’s a market to be had and they’ll certainly do that.”
Bogusz said airport passenger traffic has increased by .5 per cent in the first quarter of 2018.
He has reached out to Air Canada, Sunwing, and Westjet about filling the void.
Ixtapa Travel Saskatoon president Barb Crowe said the effects of the decision are already being felt, with more restrictions on when people will be able to travel and price increases.
“The potential impact to travellers will be a lack of seat inventory in our market, therefore supply and demand mean travellers can expect prices to increase,” Crowe told Global News.
She said there will be less travel style options and people will need to book earlier to secure seats on preferred travel dates.
Crowe said there are now only two major players left in the Saskatchewan market – West Jet Vacations and Sunwing. She said Sunwing is already making adjustments to their upcoming winter schedule.
“Sunwing in past years has offered a double-drop to Huatulco. That means they originated in Saskatoon, dropped into Regina and carried to Huatulco,” Crowe explained.
“For the upcoming season, we will see a non-stop from Saskatoon and a non-stop from Regina.”
Crowe added Sunwing is adding capacity to destination Transat offered in the past and more details are expected to be announced shortly.
Air Transat typically serves Regina and Saskatoon during the winter months, with four departures per week in Regina to Puerto Vallarta and Cancun.
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