Lubicon From Canada, joined Oct 2000, 197 posts, RR: 0 Posted (10 years 10 months 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 1608 times:
Canada West Airlines announces Edmonton launch this fall
EDMONTON, July 18 /CNW/ - Gordon Andrews, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Canada West Airlines is pleased to announce that the final steps are being taken for the late fall launch of Canada West Airlines, with its operations, maintenance and head office based in Edmonton, Alberta
Canada West Airlines will initially operate two premium-configured Boeing 757 aircraft with seats spaced to provide more comfort. The airline will offer full-service flights from Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver to European and sun destinations.
"We chose to base our airline in Edmonton because this city is underserved internationally. We believe the public in this community deserves as much choice as other cities in Canada", said Mr. Andrews. "Community support from the Edmonton area to the launch of our airline has been phenomenal, including support from Edmonton Airports, and The City of Edmonton's Economic Development Edmonton team."
Edmonton's GDP growth was a remarkable 5.9% in 2001, with the forecast continuing to show that Edmonton will lead the country with GDP growth of 3.5% in 2002. Edmonton Airports serves a catchment area of 1.8 million people, and was the only major airport in Canada to enjoy positive passenger growth (2.5%) in 2001.
"Edmonton Airports has worked diligently with leadership by the City and Economic Development Edmonton to demonstrate Edmonton's excellent business environment, and strong economy," states Scott Clements, President and CEO of Edmonton Airports. "Canada West will enjoy a receptive home base here in Edmonton and strong support from our community for Canada West services."
"Edmonton offers the lowest overall business costs of 86 large and medium- sized cities surveyed according to KPMG's Competitive Alternatives, an international cost-comparison report released this year," states Allan Scott, President and CEO of Economic Development Edmonton. "We commend Canada West Airlines for their commitment and investment in our City, and we are confident that Edmonton will reciprocate with strong support for Canada West as they launch their new head office in Edmonton."
The company will market and distribute its products through its subsidiary, Canada West Holidays. Former Canada 3000 Holidays Vice-President, Richard Carlin, will be heading the distribution and marketing side. "We will operate a full service Call Centre and support facility based in Vancouver. The company will develop and market both traditional as well as new and innovative products to Western Canadians eager for more competition and diversity," said Mr. Carlin. "Westerners want choice. Westerners support Western initiatives and products, and travellers as a whole are looking for better value for their dollar."
Canada West retained Octagon Capital Corporation to raise the necessary capital for start up. "Octagon is very excited about this project", said Jacques Kavafian, a leading Canadian airline industry analyst and Vice President of Octagon. "The combination of a solid business plan, an underserved market, and experienced management creates a compelling business case for this new entrant."
With the launch of Canada West Airlines, approximately 185 jobs will be created in Western Canada, of which 125 will be flight crew and 60 in support and management positions. Canada West Holidays will employ up to 25 staff in Vancouver.
Englandair From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2000, 2228 posts, RR: 3 Reply 1, posted (10 years 10 months 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 1545 times:
WOW!
They plan to fly all premium class B757s from Edmonton to Europe?!
As we've seen in the past, Air Canada is ruthless when it comes to seeing off the competition...
Spyderz From Canada, joined Apr 2001, 651 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (10 years 10 months 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 1521 times:
Wow, seems like the long time Western charter market is going to get full with Skyservice, Air Transat, the proposed My Airlines, and now this. Sounds like a good idea, yet how do they plan to fly 757's to Europe. I think they would need some 767's to do this successfully.
Lubicon From Canada, joined Oct 2000, 197 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (10 years 10 months 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 1487 times:
C3000 used to fly their 757's to Europe with a fuel stop in Iceland so I'd imagine it would be the same in this case. As for AC being ruthless to the competition, don't bet on it in this case. They have been steadily downgrading service to YEG for several years and I doubt they'd come back to compete a charter outfit that flys to Europe a couple of times per week. The only competition Canada West would face is Air Transit which fly 1x weekly to Frankfurt and possible Skyservice (not sure of their schedule)
Matt From Canada, joined May 1999, 679 posts, RR: 2 Reply 7, posted (10 years 10 months 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 1466 times:
With a 757 in max configuration like C3, a stop in KEF was essential. I think it will be the case with this new airline as well. Unless, as they say, it's very roomy and much lighter.
Squigee From Canada, joined May 2001, 652 posts, RR: 4 Reply 10, posted (10 years 10 months 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 1437 times:
From the looks of that website, the marketing department at CanadaWestAir just found out about clipart!
I think serving Edmonton is a good idea (serving Calgary would be a better one ) but that 45 minute drive to the airport is a major bummer for a lot of travellers.
Someday, we'll look back at this, laugh nervously, and then change the subject.
LGB Photos From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 12, posted (10 years 10 months 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 1395 times:
If I can get a hold of them somehow, maybe I work a deal out with them to fly to LGB on charter flights advertising Southern California, Disneyland, Hollywood, etc. Hey you never know until you try.
Samurai 777 From Canada, joined Jan 2000, 2451 posts, RR: 5 Reply 14, posted (10 years 10 months 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 1304 times:
I wish the best of luck to Canada West, but even if the only competition the airline'd face would be Air Transat (not "Air Transit") or Skyservice, I'm not entirely sure how long it'll last.
I'm not surprised if one of the main reasons that Canada West chose Edmonton as its home base was that someone decided to start his own airline because he felt that no major carrier would touch YEG when it comes to transatlantic service, including Air Canada (remember it axed the YEG-LHR service recently).
Anyhow, LHR and FRA are probably the most likely European destinations, and pretty much the usual sunspots that Western Canadians tend to usually go after, such as HNL (dunno if the 757-200ER is ETOPS certified to allow flights into HNL), LAX, PHX and LAS.
Samurai 777 From Canada, joined Jan 2000, 2451 posts, RR: 5 Reply 18, posted (10 years 10 months 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 1202 times:
I took a look at the press kit and like Rootsgirl, I agree that the livery looks good.
I also wonder if the airline does choose to add a/c to its fleet, will it remain all-757, or might it add smaller or larger a/c depending on market size?
Englandair From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2000, 2228 posts, RR: 3 Reply 19, posted (10 years 10 months 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 1178 times:
Hi,
I can't open the links!
Can someone please rightclick on the photo, go down to properties, copy and paste the address into (img src= ) replacing the ( for <
Yyz717 From Canada, joined Sep 2001, 15989 posts, RR: 59 Reply 20, posted (10 years 10 months 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 1162 times:
Technically, there is no 757-200ER. Just a HGW 752 with ETOPS capability. Boeing has proposed a 752ER will West Coast-Europe range. LH and CO showed an initial interest but did not order the aircraft so it was not launched. No doubt a 752ER would be attractive to many charter carriers.
Panam, TWA, Ansett, Eastern.......AC next? Might be good for Canada.
Fallingeese From Canada, joined Apr 2001, 2097 posts, RR: 20 Reply 24, posted (10 years 10 months 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 1111 times:
That is a neat livery. I'd say that all new Canadian Carriers have liverys that are very striking (CargoJet and Canada West Air) of course we must exclude all Air Canada brands.
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From Canada, joined Oct 2000, 197 posts, 
From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2000, 2228 posts, 
) but that 45 minute drive to the airport is a major bummer for a lot of travellers.
From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
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