Regina airport inching closer to direct U.S. flights, including Vegas

It’s been years since there were year-round flights out of Regina to a hub in the U.S., but the possibility of at least one coming back is inching closer.

On Wednesday, WestJet’s CEO was in Regina and said he’s hearing the interest from politicians and the business community for more flights over the border.

Speaking afterward, director of revenue development, public relations and customer experience at the Regina Airport Authority, Justin Reves, said the airport is working on the problem.

“We’ve been pretty vocal about approaching airlines like United for Denver service, of course we’re talking with WestJet about Minneapolis,” said Reves.

Saskatoon’s airport began direct flights to Minneapolis with WestJet in the summer, with some help from provincial money. But Reves said that service is a bit different because it’s running three days a week – he said Regina is looking for a seven-day-a-week service.
Reves said the Regina airport is also in conversation with the provincial government on how it can help attract more U.S. direct service.

The last direct U.S. flights Regina had, outside seasonal routes, ended in 2016 when Delta Air Lines ended its Minneapolis flights. Flights to Denver and Chicago ended in years previous.

Conversations have been ongoing since then to get something back. Reves said they were difficult in the last few years given the restrictions around the pandemic but he explained things are looking better now.

“The airlines are in a much better position than they were even 12 months ago to be able to put on new routes and return some of that service, so the conversations are a lot more positive now,” said Reves.

He said the Regina airport is closer than it has been in a lot of years to getting another route.

“There are a lot of conversations, people need to know, we’re talking about a lot of different airlines – just in the past few months, eight or nine different airlines were talking about all sorts of new opportunities for this community across Canada, to the U.S. and to more sun destinations,” he said.

When the airport is trying to sell Regina to airlines, Reves said the number of events and trade shows that drive people into the city are a big point. He said the value the community puts on air service and air travel is important as well.

More flights to Pheonix, Vegas coming this winter

James Bogusz, CEO of the Regina Airport, spoke with Greg Morgan about additional flights arriving in Regina in the coming months.

Previously, Bogusz told Morgan he was hoping for another direct flight to Las Vegas, and it seems he got his wish.

“They’ve agreed to add an additional Phoenix and Vegas frequency. Phoenix’s extra frequency lights up in December. Vegas lights up a Sunday frequency – this is in addition to the Thursday, in January.”

He said the new flights are an example of the work the airport staff puts in with airlines, even after it’s released a schedule, to get more flights to the city. Bogusz said they provide incentives to get these additional flights, but it’s worth spending money to help travellers.

He said places like Vegas only having one weekly flight can make it difficult for travellers to get home.

“You’ve got to have that second frequency, for sure,” he said.

–with files from 980 CJME’s Nicole Garn