Calgary passengers at Saskatoon airport upset over losing choice in air carriers

Passengers getting onto a WestJet flight to Calgary out of the Saskatoon airport on Tuesday afternoon were frustrated to learn that Air Canada flights to their destination would be suspended come the new year.

Mamun, who works with a settlement company, said it’s not uncommon to see a few flights occasionally cancelled. Losing Air Canada, however, could mean a major impact for flights his firm has booked.

For Colin, who lives in hotels around 20 days each month because of his job doing environmental testing for gas stations, WestJet is his preferred choice. However, flying across the country year-round means having different flights is imperative and sometimes that means Air Canada provides a better option.

“It sucks when you have to go five different places, for instance, when you’re working up in northern B.C. and you have to fly down to Vancouver or Grande Prairie and then to Edmonton, then to Calgary on Air Canada,” Colin said.

Mamun also felt choice is important when deciding when his company’s employees fly and the best opportunities to do so.

“Saskatoon is now a busy airport,” Mamun said, “so if we have more flights … then that would be nice.”