[David A]

Isn’t Heathrow one of the most over taxed airports in the world? Fees are high, resources stressed. Would we not be better served by a destination such as Dublin/Iceland.

First of all Heathrow is not the only airport in London and I suspect way more people want to go to there than Dublin. An Iceland stop over or connection could be good for flights to various European destinations.

 

[David A]

It will be the final nail in the coffin for YEG if Calgary gets its recently proposed Banff train line and the contingent YYC to downtown rail link sadly

I disagree, neither actually have anything to do with us really. It will make it more convenient for those going to Banff or downtown Calgary already which is good for them.

However, people don't choose to go to Jasper instead of Banff based on how convenient it is to get there, but because it is less crowded and is a more natural environment.

 

[David A]

Don't let your hatred of Calgary get in the way of the truth Load factors for YYC-YYZ are the same as YEG-YYZ. There are far more flights from YYC-YYZ and thus more opportunity to discount flights, but if the flights from YYC-YYZ had continuously low load factors the airlines would cutback the amount of flights rather than discount them. They're running a business not secretly conspiring to help out Calgary.

Well if they have the same load factor and one has lower prices, I don't think it is as profitable then. I suspect it is not all seats, but they are trying fill some remaining seats possibly with people from other cities.

Canadian airlines really don't have a great business history, lots of mergers and bankruptcies there and for the most part it is still a duopoly so also not as much competitive pressure to provide good service. Some of our airlines are not publicly traded now, so not even subject to financial market discipline. I don't know if the ones that are not publicly traded are even profitable now.

 

[blue12]

Well if they have the same load factor and one has lower prices, I don't think it is as profitable then.

I think you completely missed what he was saying. Yes similar load factors, but the important part is one route has a larger volume of seats which brings down prices. It's not that YYC-YYZ is "more empty" or "less profitable".

 

[David A]

I think you completely missed what he was saying. Yes similar load factors, but the important part is one route has a larger volume of seats which brings down prices. It's not that YYC-YYZ is "more empty" or "less profitable".

Actually I believe what was said was more flights, nothing about the volume of seats on the planes. Having more flights in itself would not reduce operating costs.

I realize it is possible the planes are not similar sizes, but I didn't miss what was not said.

 

[EdmTrekker]

Do airlines think we’re stupid?

Only if you buy the ticket …. Look to Porter.

First of all Heathrow is not the only airport in London and I suspect way more people want to go to there than Dublin. An Iceland stop over or connection could be good for flights to various European destinations.

I did the connection several times.

 

[Beltline_B]

Well if they have the same load factor and one has lower prices, I don't think it is as profitable then. I suspect it is not all seats, but they are trying fill some remaining seats possibly with people from other cities.

Yes, that's it in a nutshell. Because of the hub status, there are lots of flights from YYC that can be backfilled much easier with connecting passengers. The response to Maclac was more about flights not being empty. From WS's point of view it's probably economical for them to have lower prices and backfill multiple flights, but it still has to be make business sense for them to do it.
I know sometimes here there's the feeling that WS is secretly trying to screw Edmonton, but they didn't just say, 'hey let's give Calgary 3 times the flights to Toronto' and then realized the flights were empty so they decided to discount the tickets. It's only airport hub economics.

 

[Dkeirle]

I know sometimes here there's the feeling that WS is secretly trying to screw Edmonton, but they didn't just say, 'hey let's give Calgary 3 times the flights to Toronto' and then realized the flights were empty so they decided to discount the tickets. It's only airport hub economics.

It's simply the way the cookie has crumbled. Calgary was always going to be the hub for Alberta and has been since the new airport was built in 1975, with or without WS

WS is probably the reason for YYC being the main hub for the prairies and the interior of BC. They executed a long range plan very well, first by filling the west with short haul flights and taking over that market, later shifting many those to the YYC hub and spoke model while adding more US and sun destinations making YYC the connection point and turning it into an international hub. Once wide body overseas flights came into the picture, the full on hub model was cemented for good.
When WS's new 789's arrive, they'll probably add some to other cities, maybe YEG will pick up a flight. There's talk that maybe YEG to LGW is something that could happen.

 

[David A]

Sorry, I have never been one for defeat-ism or the way things are now is how they must remain forever. However, perhaps that is what our society is becoming people who grumble but don't make much effort to try improve things.

 

[BASE]

I am getting a little nervous about the YEG December passenger numbers. The end of the year tends to be longer but it isn't usually this long and they are verging on YYZ timeframes which is notoriously slow to release passenger numbers. I saw YYC has already posted their January 2026 numbers for reference.

 

[Yeggy]

First of all Heathrow is not the only airport in London and I suspect way more people want to go to there than Dublin. An Iceland stop over or connection could be good for flights to various European destinations.

The majority of people flying to the UK from Edmonton would likely be going onto other destinations yes no?

Do you really think I dont know there are multiple airports in London (as well as other major cities) common friend. Now you tell me which airport has the best international connections, its Heathrow.

 

[Vanfan123]

Get ready for early March 2026, as Vancouver YVR - Edmonton YEG - YVR route, will see a few (AC) Air Canada Rouge planes operating it.

 

[David A]

The majority of people flying to the UK from Edmonton would likely be going onto other destinations yes no?

Do you really think I dont know there are multiple airports in London (as well as other major cities) common friend. Now you tell me which airport has the best international connections, its Heathrow.

I have no idea what you know or don't know. I thought it was useful to mention, perhaps for others. Lots of people do go to London as a destination, but I realize others also connect to elsewhere from there.

 

[AntonK]

TBH, I don't think that it would harm YEG very much, if any. It might even help YEG's tourism overall. Tourism to Banff has been rising rapidly, partly due to the new overseas direct flights. With a train from YYC-Banff, and to YEG, there's a better possibility of getting tourists to make a stop in Edmonton. I could be wrong, but it's a possibility, if the train is fast and efficient.

That's what I think too. It might even be a positive.

According to google there are on average 37 flights a week between Edmonton and Calgary. Most of those are 737's, so I'm going to do a very primitive calculation of 150 passengers per flight. It could be more it cold be less, but for arguments sake, I'll use 150. Over the course of a year that's a loss of only 288,000 passengers, which is only a small percentage of YEG's ~8 Million passengers a year, and that's worst case scenario with all flights between the two cities going away. Edmonton would have a chance of getting in some of Calgary and Banff's tourists. I would bet more tourists would be gained from the train than passengers would be lost at YEG. International tourists won't come here unless it's quick and convenient for them, and a train that terminates downtown would help.

 

[Vanfan123]

WestJet NS26 Domestic Service Changes – 22FEB26 — AeroRoutes

Published at 1200PST / 2000GMT 24FEB26 WestJet in recent schedule update gradually filed service changes to its domestic service for Northern summer 2026 season. Using calendar week 29 as general indication, planned frequency changes based on 2025 vs 2026 comparisons, as of 22FEB26, are

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