Edmonton International Airport (EIA/YEG)

[IanO]

but people aren’t using the limited flights we do have so it’s not the airlines’ fault.

The business crowd in Edmonton can only do so much to influence how flights work.

And that's the thing...

We can only do so much here, but honestly only need a few more frequencies and a direct to London (Gatwick) to really have decent coverage given that WJ is YYC.

 

[yeggator]

it’s just that with limited airframes it may not be profitable enough.

This point should be talked about more. The hub-and-spoke model was starting to get phased out in favour of point-to-point routes before the pandemic, with the largest aircraft (747 and A380) considered doomed. Then the post-pandemic travel boom and the grounding of the 737 Max created huge capacity crunches that revived the old hub model. Jumbo jets were taken out of retirement while frequencies were boosted at hub airports. Maybe with the introduction of the A320XLR, we’ll see a return to the prevailing trend of point-to-point networks gradually superseding the hub-and-spoke model.

 

[blue12]

Been wondering how a market full of the new xlr narrow bodies will change edmonton connections. I understand these planes can be half full and still be profitable.

The A321XLR's introduction globally could be a quite beneficial for Edmonton as airlines such as Aer Lingus have been starting to target more secondary American cities with the jets and it would be a no-brainer (in my opinion) to do the same with some secondary Canadian airports like YEG or YOW.

The latter part of your statement isn't really true though, these aircraft aren't profitable at half full generally speaking. It's the fact that they're smaller aircraft which is more optimal for "smaller" destinations that could attract said airlines to fly to YEG, not that they'd willingly be operating half empty aircraft. There would logically need to be a subsidy or a very lucrative cargo contract for most airlines to continue to operate flights that are consistently only half full.

 

[Glenco]

Lingus, Air France, Lot, Lufthansa and possibly British Airways as an outside chance of providing service to Europe. Having a code share with someone on this end would be a tremendous advantage which severely limits the options.

 

[David A]

but people aren’t using the limited flights we do have so it’s not the airlines’ fault.

The business crowd in Edmonton can only do so much to influence how flights work.

I get that many people do not want to travel to the US right now so flights get cut here (and also a number from Vancouver btw), but businesses and others have been asking for years for a regular frequent flight to London in the UK. We can't use flights we don't have!

 

[MacLac]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-region-defence-alliance-economy-9.7096650

“…….finalizing plans for a site at YEG for the next forward operating base…..” so it’s coming folks!

 

[BASE]

Exciting for YEG and who knows if this helps spur further infrastructure investment around the airport. From a military perspective it's too bad they no longer have the runway out at the Edmonton Garrison as that would probably make more sense logistically (something I know nothing about).

 

[archited]

^ I would agree with that with the exception that YEG for the moment is an underutilized facility and so combining uses helps it achieve better functionality.

 

[TAS]

WTF
For anyone with knowledge of the airline industry, can you please explain why direct flights from YYC to YYZ are $500 cheaper versus YEG to YYZ.
I have to fly to Toronto on March 27 and here are the economy costs of flights from YYC.

Versus flights from YEG

 

[The_Cat]

Do airlines think we’re stupid?

 

[MacLac]

WTF
For anyone with knowledge of the airline industry, can you please explain why direct flights from YYC to YYZ are $500 cheaper versus YEG to YYZ.
I have to fly to Toronto on March 27 and here are the economy costs of flights from YYC.

View attachment 716703View attachment 716704View attachment 716705


Versus flights from YEG

View attachment 716706View attachment 716707View attachment 716708

Sure can! YYC flights are abundant and empty….so that they have to have fire sales to fill the seats…..always has been and always will

 

[Gronk!]

WTF
For anyone with knowledge of the airline industry, can you please explain why direct flights from YYC to YYZ are $500 cheaper versus YEG to YYZ.
I have to fly to Toronto on March 27 and here are the economy costs of flights from YYC.

View attachment 716703View attachment 716704View attachment 716705


Versus flights from YEG

View attachment 716706View attachment 716707View attachment 716708

Are you only looking at AC flights? If so then why not view other airline options such as WJ, Flair or Porter?

 

[The ChosenOne]

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

 

[TAS]

Are you only looking at AC flights? If so then why not view other airline options such as WJ, Flair or Porter?

Just sharing the AC info to highlight that airline's pricing.

Booked Porter.
Booked Flair for an upcoming Vancouver flight.

 

[Yeggy]

I get that many people do not want to travel to the US right now so flights get cut here (and also a number from Vancouver btw), but businesses and others have been asking for years for a regular frequent flight to London in the UK. We can't use flights we don't have!

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.