Year-round daily U.S. flights could be coming to Regina airport, CEO says

People in Regina haven’t been able to take advantage of year-round daily flights to the U.S. for nearly 10 years.

That may change in the near future.

Regina Airport Authority president and CEO James Bogusz told the Greg Morgan Morning Show on Wednesday the airport is currently having discussions with two major American airlines to attract flights to Denver, Minneapolis or Chicago.

“We maintained a relationship over the last few years, but it’s been very tough for them to get serious about discussing this,” Bogusz said. “We’ve got lots of money on the table (and) significant incentives.”

According to Bogusz, the airport has been working with many partners in Regina to make year-round daily flights to the U.S. a reality.

“We do believe there’s a real opportunity here,” Bogusz added. “This has been something that the public’s been wanting … since we lost them back in the (2014-15) time frame.”

He confirmed the final decision on whether to offer flights to Regina rests with the airlines, adding the airport’s role is to present to them why Regina should be considered.

“If we could control it, we would’ve had this flight years ago,” Bogusz said. “We market to them. We show them and point out what we believe to be great opportunities based on actual data.”

He added more and more people are travelling to the U.S. and he believes that number will increase even more when the country’s vaccine mandate is lifted on May 12.

“That is going to be a big game-changer,” Bogusz said. “Close to 20 per cent of (Canadians) cannot fly to the United States right now … because of that vaccine mandate.”

The airport’s CEO also said starting next Monday, Regina Transit will operate a new bus route that will take air travellers right to the terminal.

“We’re going to be seeing also some service … where the Canada Post building is, just north of the airport terminal, and those sort of sections, as well as right to the front of the curb,” he added. “It’s going to start Monday through Friday.”

Bogusz said the airport contributed $100,000 per year to the city to get it started, adding the city will cover the rest of the cost.

“Let’s just hope some staff and users consider transit as an option,” he added.

The bus route is part of a three-year pilot project and Bogusz said he hopes it stays long term.