Sask. ‘dealing with choices’ to deal with fallout of airline company interruptions

Saskatchewan Trade Minister Jeremy Harrison states the provincial federal government has actually spoken to Ottawa to resolve airline company interruptions after the Opposition NDP, visitors and company groups continue to push for a resolution.

Harrison stated in an interview on Friday the province is likewise “dealing with alternatives” with airport authorities, however was not able to state when visitors can anticipate much better flying schedules.

He stated airline companies are federally managed, making it challenging for the provincial federal government to make modifications, however included the province is prepared to take part in conversations.

“The factor for that is that we are really, extremely cognizant of the significance of having flight and dependable, practical connections from this province for financial factors, for company factors and for lifestyle and social factors,” Harrison stated. “We are working and we might have more to state in ideally the fairly future.”

Harrison’s remarks followed Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck required on Friday that Premier Scott Moe address what she has actually called an “flight mess.”

In a letter dealt with to Moe, Beck stated thousands have actually been impacted by Sunwing’s choice to cancel half of Saskatoon’s set up flights and all of Regina’s for the winter season.

Furthermore, Air Canada’s choice to axe direct paths to Calgary from Regina and Saskatoon endangers financial activity, Beck stated, arguing the provincial federal government requires to push more difficult on the file.

“This is work that the premier need to have been doing currently,” Beck stated in an interview. “We have not seen proof that he’s treating this with the kind of seriousness that market which organizations are feeling today in the province.”

Disturbances to Saskatchewan’s flight market started in December when Air Canada revealed it would no longer fly direct to Calgary from Regina and Saskatoon. The airline company will rather fly to Toronto or Vancouver, where travelers can then make a connection to Calgary.

Later on that month, Sunwing tourists were captured in a whirlwind after a string of flights were cancelled in Canada and in warm locations, avoiding travelers from going on their holiday while likewise leaving others stranded in Mexico.

The airline company blamed the cancellations on bad weather condition and staffing problems, later on affirming that an application to generate 63 foreign pilots was rejected. These pilots would have been based out of Regina and Saskatoon.

Sunwing’s extra cancellations have actually triggered numerous to re-think honeymoon or wedding event strategies. Travel representatives have actually likewise reported not getting commission and handling mayhem as they rebook customers.

The Regina Airport Authority approximates Sunwing cancelled more than 50 departures over the season, however included Sunwing would have more exact details. The airline company did not react for a demand to comment by due date.

Sunwing has actually stated Regina tourists can continue with their trips by flying out of Winnipeg or Saskatoon, however the damage, for numerous, has actually currently been done.

Compared to the rest of Canada, Saskatchewan has actually been struck harder when it pertains to cancellations and airline company modifications.

While WestJet is seeking to fill a space by including more everyday flights out of Regina and Saskatoon, magnate state the loss of Air Canada will have financial implications.

Jason Aebig, the CEO of the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce, has actually stated Air Canada’s choice has actually currently impacted organization in the city.

He stated a convention in Saskatoon was cancelled since of Air Canada’s choice.

Aebig has actually implicated WestJet and Air Canada of being participated in anticompetitive behaviour, where Air Canada chose to focus on eastern Canada and WestJet chose to concentrate on western Canada. Both airline companies have actually turned down the accusation.

Harrison decreased to discuss the accusation, however stated he thinks more competitiveness is required. That repair would once again require to be made by the federal government, he stated, keeping in mind U.S. airline companies require to be running out of Saskatchewan airports.

Beck stated Regina and Saskatoon require trustworthy connections.

“This is not a problem that’s going to be fixed by spicy tweets from the premier,” she stated. “This is going to be fixed by taking a seat with the federal government, with market and making the case successfully and highly that this is just not appropriate.”

jsimes@postmedia.com