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yeggator said:
The business travel… it’s dead, Jim. If it makes you feel better, YEG’s not alone. YYC’s passenger numbers from last year are barely a million more than in 2019 (18.9 vs 17.9 million), and that’s despite all the population growth that’s happened there (more than in Edmonton), the growth of their tech industry, more tourism to the mountains and WestJet doubling down on its hub. Apply the same logic to YYC and they should be at 25 million, but they’re still far from it.
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This makes total sense and clearly it is not just us. I am relieved the answer is that it is not some Edmonton specific problem as we do not need to add to our sense of inferiority. Although I did doubt that all those people that moved here did not travel much as opposed to those elsewhere, that just did not make sense.

Even though COVID is over, many conferences and other events are still being held virtually, as the technology is now in place and for a lot of attendees it is more cost and time effective.
 
If it makes you feel any better YYC is up 3.5 million since 2014 that is about a 20% increase
YWG is up 14% since 2014. Need I go on?
 
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Glenco said:
If it makes you feel any better YYC is up 3.5 million since 2014 that is about a 20% increase
YWG is up 14% since 2014. Need I go on?
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No. I suppose using different starting points can give different results, but using the more recent 2019 period as the starting point seems to be a more accurate.indication of the current situation to me.

I believe Calgary completed a major expansion in 2014, so starting then instead is obviously impacted by that. Not sure what happened in Winnipeg, but interestingly Winnipeg and Edmonton in 2024 were both still a bit under their 2018 peak numbers, fairly similarly. So the growth that happened in Winnipeg was also really between 2014 and 2018.

Edmonton's 2024 passenger growth percent growth was higher than Calgary and slightly higher than Winnipeg's, if that makes anyone feel better. We had about 3.6 million more passengers in 2024 than Winnipeg.
 
2014 is not some arbitrary year it is when YEG started to flatline. Is the YYC expansion the reason? Was it a combination of factors. I don’t know I’m just hoping the powers that be can fix the situation.
 
Markyeg said:
Winnipeg also isn’t 2.5 hours down the highway from a major hub, so not really apples to apples comparison.
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It is a mini hub (in comparison to Toronto and Vancouver), but yes my guess is the expansion in Calgary right in 2014 and Edmonton's passenger declines in the couple years after that may be related.

However, I also feel that is sort of history at this point and maybe not the most relevant thing for the next few years.
 
David A said:
It is a mini hub (in comparison to Toronto and Vancouver), but yes my guess is the expansion in Calgary right in 2014 and Edmonton's passenger declines in the couple years after that may be related.

However, I also feel that is sort of history at this point and maybe not the most relevant thing for the next few years.
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Well I can only hope you are right. I wonder what is going to change the mini hub 2.5 hours down the road isn’t moving Could it just the critical mass of people will compel the airlines to change their approach to service out of YEG?
 
Glenco said:
Well I can only hope you are right. I wonder what is going to change the mini hub 2.5 hours down the road isn’t moving Could it just the critical mass of people will compel the airlines to change their approach to service out of YEG?
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I mean, if it weren’t for the tariffs, we nearly had that with all the new American destinations. We just need the Frankfurt and London flights back.
 
IanO said:
Could this FINALLY pave the way for YEG widebody service to Europe or Asia?

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WS officially has more 787s on the way. This morning they announced a massive order with Boeing that includes 7 more 789s with an option of 4 more.

https://westjet.mediaroom.com/2025-0...er-with-Boeing

Also 60 Max 10s.
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YEG’s been campaigning hard for a London flight. This might finally be our chance, because Lord knows Air Canada ain’t doing squat
 
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IanO said:
Could this FINALLY pave the way for YEG widebody service to Europe or Asia?

---
WS officially has more 787s on the way. This morning they announced a massive order with Boeing that includes 7 more 789s with an option of 4 more.

https://westjet.mediaroom.com/2025-0...er-with-Boeing

Also 60 Max 10s.
Click to expand...
I’m optimistic this could bring YEG-LHR/LGW. I’d be skeptical about any Asian expansion from here though.
 
Yes and the reduction of business travel if that continues sort of evens things out more between the cities.
MacLac said:
Or pave the way to extinction/bankruptcy
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Their owner Onex probably has fairly deep pockets. However, it would still make sense to put some of the new planes in under served markets in the west like here, rather than trying to go head to head with AC in TO or YVR.
 
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