WestJet temporarily ending service to Medicine Hat next month

WestJet is also temporarily suspending service to Lloydminister, London, Ont. and St. John’s, Nfld. until June 24.

WestJet president and CEO Ed Sims says the ability to return to markets like Medicine Hat, is in direct correlation to government policies and prioritization of a domestic travel program.

Between WestJet and Air Canada, the Medicine Hat Regional Airport had its best year in 2019 with 35 departures a week.

The city’s airport manager Jeff Huntus says over the last year the industry has been volatile.

Currently, there is one flight a week between Medicine Hat and Calgary.

Huntus is not surprised by WestJet’s decision but says it’s disappointing.

“Given travel restrictions and government regulations and general lack of support for aviation, airlines, and airports, by senior levels of governments it doesn’t make any sense for small airlines to by flying empty airplanes,” Huntus said.

WestJet first landed in Medicine Hat almost three years ago.

“One of the reasons we chose Medicine Hat, a difficult decision as it is, notwithstanding winter weather in Alberta, it is a relatively easy three-hour drive to get into Calgary and get on a flight there if you are looking to get somewhere where service continues to exist,” WestJet’s VP of Corporate Communications Richard Bartrem told CHAT News.

As for the local airport, operations will continue.

Medicine Hat is a MedEvac base for Alberta Health Services and last year there were 928 MedEvac departures to Calgary and Edmonton.

“The airport has a very important role to play in the community,” Huntus said. “With or without scheduled service.”

The standstill of flights is disappointing news for the business community as well.

The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce says it’s been a challenging time for the aviation industry and looks forward to when business travel can take-off again.

“Once it’s safe for everyone to travel, we anticipate high business and leisure demand, quite possibly higher than pre-covid levels. So with that, we encourage WestJet back in the future,” second vice president of the chamber Trevor Anhel said.

The general public is also sad to see local flights suspended for now, with comments on Facebook saying they hope WestJet can return when they’re able.

Huntus says Medicine Hat is in a good market with very good traffic and passenger demand.

“This is just 100 percent due to COVID, government regulations, restrictions and it’s understandable they’re trying to drive down demand for travel to contain the virus.”

In the meantime, Huntus says they will work closely with WestJet.

He’s confident the Medicine Hat Regional Airport can get back to where they were 12 months ago with regular flights.

by Chantal Wagner

WestJet temporarily ending service to Medicine Hat next month

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