As we heard from calgaryplanes:
"YYC-BCN has not yet operated, it starts next year. Yes correct,
CDG, DUB and FCO all have YVR as #1 fairly consistently but #2 varies based on the day and the flight.
YEG is often near the top, but YYJ is surprisingly high, FCO has had a day when YLW was #1, always lots of bodies from YQR and YXE, etc... no real surprises.
An interesting (or perhaps obvious) thing is that you can see the impact of KL's nonstop YEG-AMS, because on the days it doesn't fly, there are more YEG originators on WS' Europe flights from YYC. YVR-LGW is being cut next year, so YVR originators will climb on YYC-LHR and YYC-LGW next year but of course many will (and should) instead choose nonstop options from YVR to London. I'm very curious to see how many
originate in YEG for YYC-NRT. It will easily be #1. There are other routes that have
YEG consistently as the #1 originator, like YYC-BNA for example."
The what is going on is AC is strengthening its YVR in particular, YYZ, YUL hubs and reducing and cancelling flights to/from YYC from some large secondary cities like Victoria, Regina, Saskatoon as I mentioned 2 pages up. Folks in Saskatchewan and BC that want to fly AC (Aeroplan) will need to connect in AC YVR or YYZ to fly to LHR or FRA . Which means AC current service out of YYC to LHR and FRA is being weakened by cutting feed for these routes ... maybe setting the stage to withdraw the service at YYC. The only feed left from YEG is the 4 daily AC Jazz flights from YEG to YYC on props - if you can stand the noise. Now if you want to connect through YYC to get to FRA, AC has raised the prices to fly from YYC.
It's faster and MUCH less expensive to fly through YYZ or YVR to connect to FRA as you can see here:
https://www.aircanada.com/us/en/aco/home/app.html#/faredriven which was to depart YEG for FRA on 04 January and return 20 January.
I would not be surprised to see AC remove the 4 daily flights - and it would be a good thing for Edmonton. AC will protect its 3 main hubs and offer attractive pricing and I have no problem connecting in YVR or YYZ. Those that want to pay premium prices can fly or drive to Calgary to get the Westjet flights.