WestJet this morning released their winter 2013/2014 schedule. Several routes are going from seasonal to year round service including YYZ-YMM. There will be more flights on sun routes out of YYC to SAN, MCO and PHX as well as introducing nonstop service to Miami starting in October. WestJet Encore routes will also be expanding to include YXE-YWG, YQR-YWG and YVR-YKA.

http://westjet2.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=797

Quite interesting to see how the new YYC-MIA service will work out, glad to see another new destination out of Calgary.

Has Western Canada (Apologies, excuse my ignorance with the area) ever been served from South Florida? Like YYC, YVR, YEG etc.? Seems Interesting to try. Lots of Canadians down here but the majority I've met are from Montreal, Toronto or Quebec.

Quoting jonathanxxxx (Reply 1): Has Western Canada (Apologies, excuse my ignorance with the area) ever been served from South Florida? Like YYC, YVR, YEG etc.? Seems Interesting to try. Lots of Canadians down here but the majority I've met are from Montreal, Toronto or Quebec.

About 5 or 6 years ago AC operated YYC-FLL and MCO on alternate days for one winter season.

YYC-MIA makes perfect sense considering the strong demand for YYC-South Florida flights.

The WS press release says they already serve MCO from YYC.

Quoting Hawaiian763 (Thread starter): Quite interesting to see how the new YYC-MIA service will work out, glad to see another new destination out of Calgary.

Great news. Surprised its MIA instead of FLL but awesome. When is someone going to start YOW-MIA and I believe there is a market for YVR-MIA, given its a long flight though. That would probably be more AA territory.

Very excited to see Miami-Calgary. Awesome news.

Doesnt WS codeshare with AA on many routes? YYC - MIA, makes perfect sense if that partnership still exists.

Happy to hear about Kamloops - Vancouver, will bring some much needed competition

Anyone have times,

Quoting kamloops (Reply 7): Happy to hear about Kamloops - Vancouver, will bring some much needed competition Anyone have times,

Schedule should be out any time. Looks like WS Encore is also going into YXT Terrace. Not a surprise considering it's an instant money maker considering all the economic growth,goldmines,LNG plants, Rio Tinto smelter and hydro power.

The YYC-MIA flight is a clear indication that WS wants to further cooperate with AA. And I guess that tells us that their YYC-DFW is doing well. I think WS wants to capitalize on connecting passengers through MIA.

Funny how things have changed over the last 15 years. When CP was around, they cooperated with AA, but they were clearly interested more in developing YVR as the main gateway in Western Canada. And I recall AA operating MIA-YVR.

Quoting 9252fly (Reply 8): Schedule should be out any time. Looks like WS Encore is also going into YXT Terrace. Not a surprise considering it's an instant money maker considering all the economic growth,goldmines,LNG plants, Rio Tinto smelter and hydro power.

What are your sources?

Any chance to ever see an ATL-YYC or ATL-YYZ on WS with the DL codeshare, or is WS closer to AA, hence ORD/DFW and now MIA?

Pleasantly surprised YYC-MIA isn't a redeye. In fact, looks like they are aiming to connect to/from AA's LatAm redeyes.

WS 1500 YYC 1330-2043 MIA
WS 1501 MIA 0935-1335 YYC

Surprised to see MIAYYC before WS goes into MIAYUL (third most traveled U.S.-Canada local market) or MIAYOW (single largest international Miami O&D market without a non-stop from MIA).

I personally think the "new" AA might venture into MIAYVR - largest U.S.-Canada local market without a non-stop.

Looks like the flights are in the system,


WS 3189
Operated by WESTJET ENCORE
10:16 AM
Kamloops (YKA)
11:07 AM
Vancouver (YVR)






WS 3188
Operated by WESTJET ENCORE
8:45 AM
Vancouver (YVR)
9:46 AM
Kamloops (YKA)

Quoting Noise (Reply 10): What are your sources?

Two actually. One is a removed news story from a news website and the other is from the WS website. Terrace YXT when input as a city for booking now shows up as "may be operated by Encore", " seasonal service starts November 25th 2013". Interestingly,it will not show any flights yet. The new CEO was asked last month where Encore's next new destination would be...his response was somewhat vague," Northwestern BC". Rumor has it the YXT airport is to make an announcement today. I wonder what that would be?

Huge expansion for the winter!


NEW WestJet Encore service (also new route in WS network):
Regina – Winnipeg eff 15JAN14 NEW 2 daily (1 daily on weekends)
WS3262 YQR0600 – 0711YWG DH4 x7
WS3268 YQR1400 – 1511YWG DH4 x6
WS3269 YWG0745 – 0913YQR DH4 x7
WS3273 YWG1545 – 1713YQR DH4 x6
Saskatoon – Winnipeg eff 15FEB14 NEW 2 daily (1 daily on weekends)
WS3244 YXE0600 – 0729YWG DH4 x7
WS3274 YXE1405 – 1534YWG DH4 x6
WS3275 YWG0800 – 0948YXE DH4 x7
WS3194 YWG1610 – 1758YXE DH4 x6
Vancouver – Kamloops eff 25NOV13 NEW 1 daily
WS3188 YVR0845 – 0946YKA DH4 D
WS3189 YKA1016 – 1107YVR DH4 D
* Vancouver – Terrace eff 25NOV13 NEW 2 daily
WS3105 YVR1140 – 1322YXT DH4 D
WS3107 YVR2130 – 2312YXT DH4 D
WS3114 YXT0600 – 0730YVR DH4 D
WS3106 YXT1355 – 1626YVR DH4 D
WestJet Encore to start operations on following routes, replacing or operating along with Mainline (resulting frequency increase):
* Calgary – Kamloops eff 27OCT13 Service increases from 1 to 2 daily, all service operated by Encore
WS3115 YYC1335 – 1352YKA DH4 D
WS3247 YYC2035 – 2052YKA DH4 D
WS3242 YKA0655 – 0859YYC DH4 D
WS3116 YKA1420 – 1624YYC DH4 D
* Vancouver – Prince George eff 27OCT13 1 of 3 daily service operated by Encore. From 25NOV13, Encore operation increases to 2 daily, overall WS service increases to 4 daily
WS3293 YVR1725 – 1850YXS DH4 D
WS3287 YVR2030 – 2155YXS DH4 x6
WS3290 YXS0655 – 0811YVR DH4 x7
WS3294 YXS1920 – 2036YVR DH4 D
Existing Encore Operation sees frequency increase:
Vancouver – Victoria eff 27OCT13 Service increases from 1 to 3 daily
WS3279 YVR0910 – 0944YYJ DH4 D
WS3183 YVR1800 – 1834YYJ DH4 D
WS3185 YVR2025 – 2059YYJ DH4 D
WS3102 YYJ0715 – 0743YVR DH4 D
WS3182 YYJ1615 – 1643YVR DH4 D
WS3184 YYJ1900 – 1928YVR DH4 D
* Edmonton – Calgary eff 15DEC13 Service increases from 4 to 5 daily (Overall WS service increases from 8 to 9 daily)
WS3251 YEG1050 – 1141YYC DH4 D
WS3207 YEG1620 – 1710YYC DH4 D
WS3259 YEG1710 – 1800YYC DH4 D
WS3288 YEG2210 – 2201YYC DH4 D
WS3292 YEG2245 – 2336YYC DH4 D
WS3250 YYC0600 – 0653YEG DH4 D
WS3270 YYC0750 – 0843YEG DH4 D
WS3252 YYC1220 – 1313YEG DH4 D
WS3243 YYC1455 – 1548YEG DH4 D
WS3291 YYC1745 – 1838YEG DH4 D
* Edmonton – Regina eff 15DEC13 Service increases from 1 to 3 daily (2 of 3 daily operated by Encore from 15DEC13, 3 daily by Encore from 15JAN14)
WS3212 YEG0915 – 1143YQR DH4 D
WS3268 YEG1100 – 1328YQR DH4 D
WS3272 YEG1645 – 1913YQR DH4 D
WS3269 YQR0945 – 1023YEG DH4 D
WS3271 YQR1220 – 1258YEG DH4 D
WS3205 YQR1945 – 2023YEG DH4 D
WS3212/3205 begins from 15DEC13
* Edmonton – Saskatoon eff 15FEB14 Service increases from 1 to 2 daily
WS3274 YEG1120 – 1332YXE DH4 D
WS3276 YEG1920 – 2132YXE DH4 D
WS3275 YXE1020 – 1038YEG DH4 D
WS3277 YXE1828 – 1845YEG DH4 D
* Calgary – Regina eff 14JAN14 Encore operation increases from 1 to 2 daily. Overall service increases from 5 to 6 daily as a result
WS3296 YYC0815 – 1045YQR DH4 D
WS3264 YYC1905 – 2135YQR DH4 D
WS3289 YQR1115 – 1150YYC DH4 D
WS3273 YQR1745 – 1820YYC DH4 D
WS3264/3273 begins from 14JAN14
WestJet Encore also operates:
1 daily Calgary – Brandon
1 daily Calgary – Fort St. John
1 daily Calgary – Grande Prairie (Overall WS service increases from 1 to 2 daily with additional daily Mainline service)
1 daily Calgary – Nanaimo
1 daily Calgary – Saskatoon
3 daily Edmonton – Grande Prairie
1 daily Vancouver – Fort St. John

Quoting whiteguy (Reply 15): Huge expansion for the winter!

That would be an understatement!

Edited: Official press release for Terrace YXT

http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1201...t-announces-service-to-terrace-b-c

[Edited 2013-07-22 13:03:58]

Quoting flymia (Reply 4): When is someone going to start YOW-MIA

AC already serves YOW-FLL during the Winter.

Quoting THEFLLFLYER (Reply 17): Quoting flymia (Reply 4):When is someone going to start YOW-MIA AC already serves YOW-FLL during the Winter.

And so does WestJet, but that's still not MIA-YOW.

Quoting Mah4546 (Reply 18):

Yes and thus it wouldn't make sense for WS to serve both YOW-MIA and YOW-FLL.

Calgary has really become the hub of Western Canada and has begun to surpass Vancouver is terms of economic might and wealth, despite home to half the number of people. The Median Family Household income in YYC is $89,000 CAD...second best in the country only to YOW and far surpasses YVR's Median Family Household income of roughly $68,000. Not only that, but the number of head offices in Calgary per 100,000 residents outstrips any Canadian metro area, including YYZ. Clearly, WS feels very comfortable growing from their YYC hub and this trend should continue as long as the economy stays hot in that part of Canada.

It should also be noted that YYC does a very good job in drawing passengers from other Alberta and Northern BC boomtowns such as Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray, Fort St. John, and Edmonton (the city is the same size as Calgary and is growing at the same rate). Geographically, YYC cannot be better positioned to take advantage of the growth occuring around it and makes for a perfect Western Canadian hub.

Quoting Mah4546 (Reply 12): or MIAYOW (single largest international Miami O&D market without a non-stop from MIA).

YMX-YUL are 19 miles apart. they both serve(d) the Montreal metro area.

FLL-MIA are 21 miles apart. They both serve the Miami metro area.

As far as O&D is concerned, YOW-Miami IS served. It just so happens that AC and WS rather fly into FLL.

Thenoflyzone

[Edited 2013-07-22 19:04:46]

Quoting thenoflyzone (Reply 21): YMX-YUL are 19 miles apart. they both serve(d) the Montreal metro area. FLL-MIA are 21 miles apart. They both serve the Miami metro area. As far as O&D is concerned, YOW-Miami IS served. It just so happens that AC and WS rather fly into FLL.

That doesn't change the fact that there is no MIAYOW non-stop service. I was referring to the fact that MIA, the airport, not the market, has no YOW service.

Though, honestly, I wouldn't be shocked if WS decides to serve the market from MIA instead of FLL, as soon as this winter, just like it is doing with YYC.

I'm still waiting for WS or WS Encore to announce service to SEA and maybe PDX.

WS is very smart and strategic to do YYC-MIA as it can add interline to AA's Latin American network, not to mention LATAM Group, possibly provoking rumors of WestJet joining OneWorld as an associate member perhaps? WS already goes on a 757 to HNL, and that provides a more exotic transfer than YVR to the Japan market, giving Calgarians more choice than AC on its nonstop, which could be more expensive. WS to HNL, then connect to JL for NRT, KIX flights, or JQ flights to Australia.

Quoting AA767LOVER (Reply 24): WS is very smart and strategic to do YYC-MIA as it can add interline to AA's Latin American network, not to mention LATAM Group

That was my first thought when they announced this. Are there a number of AA flights leaving late in the evening for the Caribbean and other parts of Florida? The arrival time into MIA would make it perfect to connect onto a number of flights heading for the Caribbean. It would save a ton of time and no longer would western Canadians have to fly overnight to YYZ in order to catch a flight with WS to the Caribbean that leaves YYZ early in the morning.

Quoting 9252fly (Reply 8): Looks like WS Encore is also going into YXT Terrace

Terrace has had quite the growth over the past year as well with CMA and Hawkair flying to YYC via Prince George, now WS flying to YVR. Hopefully this will drive prices down on a route that AC has had control on for a number of years.

Quoting Mah4546 (Reply 22): Though, honestly, I wouldn't be shocked if WS decides to serve the market from MIA instead of FLL, as soon as this winter, just like it is doing with YYC

It all comes down to $$$. I believe MIA is more expensive to operate from than FLL.

If YOW-Miami is as O&D as i think it is, there is no sense in landing in MIA.

Thenoflyzone

Quoting Hawaiian763 (Reply 25):

Hi there,
AA has a very structured network. This YYC-MIA goes very well.
Take a look:
DEP YYC --> 1330P; ARR MIA --> 2043P

This allows for a smooth transfer to AA, no mention of interline transfer to any LAN flights. At any rate, no need for long connection times in MIA where there's absolutely nothing to do. Even with the new terminal, MIA has always been a hell-hole for me. I much prefer DFW even with its thunderstorm delays.
To Caribbean, there aren't any red-eyes I know of. I know of AA 2153 to LIM on a 2355p flight that would get into LIM at 500a flight. That would give people going to CUZ on LAN or any of the domestics some connection time to go all the way to Cuzco. LIM-CUZ normally leave rather early in the morning to my annoyance. Anyone know why that is? Is there a time curfew? Or are the times tied to tours leaving for the train to Sacred Valley/Sacsayhuaman/Macchu Picchu?

MIA-SCL
MIA-LPB-VVI
MIA-EZE
MIA-GRU
MIA-MVD
MIA-ASU

I think - IIRC - are all red-eyes.
Doing a random check - AA 243 - MIA-BSB (2340p ---> 0815a), a sufficient 3 hour CNX right there.


The return is a bit painful as most of you know that it takes at LEAST TWO HOURS just for clearing immigration in MIA. Even the turtles in Costa Rica walk faster than CBP works in MIA. Other FIS stations are much more efficient - namely DFW, IAH (though my friend told me he spent almost six hours in immigration alone, missing his connecting flight to SFO and hotel reservation in SFO). Then he had an early flight the next day to SFO, and then to HKG on UA. But it's not an airline problem as UA dealt very well with its pax. But rare to hear IAH taking any more than 45 minutes.

The good thing about leaving from Canada an International-International connection is easy with the pre-clearance.

Quoting AA767LOVER (Reply 27): At any rate, no need for long connection times in MIA where there's absolutely nothing to do. Even with the new terminal, MIA has always been a hell-hole for me.

Had to be some MIA bashing for anything to do with MIA. One of the most modern terminals in North America and it is a "hell hole"

Quoting AA767LOVER (Reply 27): The return is a bit painful as most of you know that it takes at LEAST TWO HOURS just for clearing immigration in MIA. Even the turtles in Costa Rica walk faster than CBP works in MIA. Other FIS stations are much more efficient -

Has very little to do with MIA and much more to do with the U.S. Gov understaffing a huge gateway. Of course DFW and IAH will be more efficient it would not surprise me if they had the same amount of officers but much less international passengers.

Quoting AA767LOVER (Reply 27): The return is a bit painful as most of you know that it takes at LEAST TWO HOURS just for clearing immigration in MIA. Even the turtles in Costa Rica walk faster than CBP works in MIA. Other FIS stations are much more efficient - namely DFW, IAH

I have heard the stories about the long immigration lines in MIA.These flights would work good on the O/B but not so much on the I/B. DFW would work much better coming back considering that WS codeshares with AA on the DFW-YVR and YYC routes. You are right about there being no late Caribbean flights. Looks like NAS would be the only connection out of MIA you could make that late at night.

Quoting thenoflyzone (Reply 26): It all comes down to $$$. I believe MIA is more expensive to operate from than FLL.

Yes, it is. But that doesn't stop WestJet from flying YYZMIA and, now, YYCMIA.

Quoting thenoflyzone (Reply 26): If YOW-Miami is as O&D as i think it is, there is no sense in landing in MIA.

MIAYOW 135 PDEW - that's plenty sense to land at MIA.

For comparisons sake, MIAYTO is 900 PDEW; MIAYUL is 750 PDEW (largest transborder market from YUL); MIAYVR 125 PDEW; MIAYYC and MIAYQB each ~85 PDEW (largest international market from YQB).

Quoting Hawaiian763 (Thread starter): There will be more flights on sun routes out of YYC to SAN...

Can anyone here clarify this for me? Despite this statement in the PR from WS, this winter's schedule shows SAN-YYC at 4x weekly service. According to my records, that is the same as the last few winter schedules. So either there is some error in the press release, or last winter saw SAN-YYC service less than 4x weekly. I'd appreciate it if anyone who pays attention to those kinds of things (besides me!) or has access to 2012 flight schedules for WS could advise me.

Thanks in advance.

bb

Quoting wedgetail737 (Reply 23): I'm still waiting for WS or WS Encore to announce service to SEA and maybe PDX.

Yes. I'd also like to see WS try SJC. SJC is completely lacking Canada non-stops now. Maybe WS's cost structure could make it work.

Quoting AA767LOVER (Reply 24): S already goes on a 757 to HNL, and that provides a more exotic transfer than YVR to the Japan market, giving Calgarians more choice than AC on its nonstop, which could be more expensive.

Unless someone specifically wants to stop over in HNL, I can't see anyone connecting YYC-HNL-Japan. It's more than 1,700 nm further than nonstop, and many hours of travel time. HNL's status as a significant connecting hub between North America and Asia ended many years ago when aircraft with enough range for nonstop service from the west coast went into service.

And I'd love to see WS expand in SAN by adding YVR service.

bb

Quoting whiteguy (Reply 15): WS3279 YVR0910 – 0944YYJ DH4 D WS3183 YVR1800 – 1834YYJ DH4 D WS3185 YVR2025 – 2059YYJ DH4 D WS3102 YYJ0715 – 0743YVR DH4 D WS3182 YYJ1615 – 1643YVR DH4 D WS3184 YYJ1900 – 1928YVR DH4 D

I don't get it. Both 8P and QK already fly this route.

Thus, the route becomes a loss-leader.

Quoting kgaiflyer (Reply 35): Quoting whiteguy (Reply 15): WS3279 YVR0910 – 0944YYJ DH4 D WS3183 YVR1800 – 1834YYJ DH4 D WS3185 YVR2025 – 2059YYJ DH4 D WS3102 YYJ0715 – 0743YVR DH4 D WS3182 YYJ1615 – 1643YVR DH4 D WS3184 YYJ1900 – 1928YVR DH4 D I don't get it. Both 8P and QK already fly this route. Thus, the route becomes a loss-leader.

I'm sure WS is more interested in selling connections beyond YVR, not purely local YYJ-YVR traffic. Without a reasonable number of YYJ-YVR connecting flights to feed their many longer routes beyond YVR, AC is going to get almost all that traffic. A network carrier has to consider the total revenue generated on the entire journey, not just the individual sectors.

Quoting Viscount724 (Reply 36): Quoting kgaiflyer (Reply 35):Quoting whiteguy (Reply 15): WS3279 YVR0910 – 0944YYJ DH4 D WS3183 YVR1800 – 1834YYJ DH4 D WS3185 YVR2025 – 2059YYJ DH4 D WS3102 YYJ0715 – 0743YVR DH4 D WS3182 YYJ1615 – 1643YVR DH4 D WS3184 YYJ1900 – 1928YVR DH4 D I don't get it. Both 8P and QK already fly this route. Thus, the route becomes a loss-leader. I'm sure WS is more interested in selling connections beyond YVR, not purely local YYJ-YVR traffic. Without a reasonable number of YYJ-YVR connecting flights to feed their many longer routes beyond YVR, AC is going to get almost all that traffic. A network carrier has to consider the total revenue generated on the entire journey, not just the individual sectors.

Yes, that makes rational sense.

But WS already flies YYJ-YYC (their hub) multiple times a day.

I'd like to see more California service out of YVR, too. The lack of SAN is annoying. I like the recent upgrade of service to Hawaii, though.

I would assume that YVR is more competitive, though, due to the proximity of BLI and SEA.

If WS continue pursuing codeshares then we'll see how the route network plays out.

Quoting whiteguy (Reply 15): Vancouver – Victoria eff 27OCT13 Service increases from 1 to 3 daily WS3279 YVR0910 – 0944YYJ DH4 D WS3183 YVR1800 – 1834YYJ DH4 D WS3185 YVR2025 – 2059YYJ DH4 D WS3102 YYJ0715 – 0743YVR DH4 D WS3182 YYJ1615 – 1643YVR DH4 D WS3184 YYJ1900 – 1928YVR DH4 D

Wondering if the WS3279 aircraft might be a operating a new route out of YYJ, perhaps replacing the B737 on the single daily YLW route as it seems not to be a turn?

Quoting 9252fly (Reply 39): perhaps replacing the B737 on the single daily YLW route as it seems not to be a turn?

I haven't flown that route for a while, but it used to be routed YYJ-YLW-YEG with a 700.

Quoting kgaiflyer (Reply 37): Quoting Viscount724 (Reply 36): Quoting kgaiflyer (Reply 35):Quoting whiteguy (Reply 15): WS3279 YVR0910 – 0944YYJ DH4 D WS3183 YVR1800 – 1834YYJ DH4 D WS3185 YVR2025 – 2059YYJ DH4 D WS3102 YYJ0715 – 0743YVR DH4 D WS3182 YYJ1615 – 1643YVR DH4 D WS3184 YYJ1900 – 1928YVR DH4 D I don't get it. Both 8P and QK already fly this route. Thus, the route becomes a loss-leader. I'm sure WS is more interested in selling connections beyond YVR, not purely local YYJ-YVR traffic. Without a reasonable number of YYJ-YVR connecting flights to feed their many longer routes beyond YVR, AC is going to get almost all that traffic. A network carrier has to consider the total revenue generated on the entire journey, not just the individual sectors. Yes, that makes rational sense. But WS already flies YYJ-YYC (their hub) multiple times a day.

They also have many flights from YVR so why not maximize connectivity? They serve many points where connecting at YVR is much shorter and more convenient than YYC, for example LAX/LAS/HNL and various other U.S. destinations, plus destinations within British Columbia.

Quoting SANFan (Reply 31): ...either there is some error in the press release, or last winter saw SAN-YYC service less than 4x weekly.

Or, as it turns out, there's a third (and correct) option: SAN-YYC increases to 5x weekly service on Jan 8, 2014, not in late October of this year when the Winter schedule actually begins. (I was not aware that WS added flights and changed skeds so much other than in late October and late April.)

There are several other frequency adds in Dec/Jan , rather than in October, such as YYC to MCO and PHX. Just thought I'd share this find in case others were not aware of this.

bb

Quoting Viscount724 (Reply 41): They also have many flights from YVR so why not maximize connectivity? They serve many points where connecting at YVR is much shorter and more convenient than YYC, for example LAX/LAS/HNL and various other U.S. destinations, plus destinations within British Columbia.

I agree, YVR is the obvious choice for a lot of routes. YYC may be better for many (mostly domestic) flights, but YVR is closer to Hawaii and the US west coast, has twice the population for O/D traffic, has a world renowned facility, is a bigger attraction for tourists and has the best transit facilities of any Canadian airport. Not to mention the increased potential for codeshares with CX, JL, BA and others (primarily Oneworld).

Quoting Noise (Reply 20): It should also be noted that YYC does a very good job in drawing passengers from other Alberta and Northern BC boomtowns such as Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray, Fort St. John, and Edmonton (the city is the same size as Calgary and is growing at the same rate). Geographically, YYC cannot be better positioned to take advantage of the growth occuring around it and makes for a perfect Western Canadian hub.

If that is the case than how do you explain YYC's lack of growth? There have been no major route announcements or new airline service in the last couple years that could constitute sustained growth, let alone surpassing YVR. While Calgary might have more HQ's than BC, that doesn't mean it is the economic powerhouse. Their fiscal situation is not as rosy as one might think.

I don't think YYC will ever catch, and pass YVR; they'll always be a secondary hub.

Quoting ANM604 (Reply 44): There have been no major route announcements or new airline service in the last couple years that could constitute sustained growth, let alone surpassing YVR.

Yeah cause you know, WJ Encore never happened...

This is all good news. But, I do miss the late 1990s, when between AA and CP, they had 4 daily non-stops between ORD and YYC during the summer. I don't remember if AA had 2 flights and CP had 2 or if it was AA 3 and CP 1. I think the schedule was reduced during the winter, but there was year-round mainline service.

Quoting YYZatcboy (Reply 45): Yeah cause you know, WJ Encore never happened...

Encore won't bring in huge numbers of pax, since it aims to serve smaller markets. Plus, a number of the Encore flights are in/out of YVR.

Quoting ANM604 (Reply 44): If that is the case than how do you explain YYC's lack of growth? There have been no major route announcements or new airline service in the last couple years that could constitute sustained growth, let alone surpassing YVR.

Sure there haven't been any major route announcements, but YYC does continue to grow. Last year over 13 million people either arrived or departed through YYC, that's a 6% increase from the year before and looking at the numbers so far this year, we have the potential to surpass Montreal and become the third busiest airport in Canada if this growth continues.

http://www.calgaryairport.com/en-us/...tsfigures/passengerstatistics.aspx

But as far as I can see, YYC will never surpass YVR, they are a gateway city for all the Asia flights and unless YYC all of a sudden gets a number of new non-stop Asia flights, YVR will always have us beat. Besides, I think YYC got some good routes this past year like YCD and YXJ with WS Encore and flights to Brandon starting in the fall. Biggest one I think was great for YYC was non-stop flights to ATL with DL. Sure they were only once a week, but hopefully they are doing well with the route that they increase the frequency or keep the flights over the winter.

Quoting ANM604 (Reply 44): If that is the case than how do you explain YYC's lack of growth? There have been no major route announcements or new airline service in the last couple years that could constitute sustained growth, let alone surpassing YVR. While Calgary might have more HQ's than BC, that doesn't mean it is the economic powerhouse. Their fiscal situation is not as rosy as one might think. I don't think YYC will ever catch, and pass YVR; they'll always be a secondary hub.

As long as the Oil & Gas Industry remains hot the potential to surpass YVR will always be there. Alberta has roughly 800,000 million fewer people than BC yet it already has a larger GDP (not to mention a sky-high GDP per capita). Indeed, Alberta is the economic powerhouse of the west. If the growth in Alberta continues and the Oil & Gas remains hot, I am positive that we'll see YYC surpass YVR in passenger enplaned/deplaned within 10-20 years.

Keep in mind that YYC is also more geographically isolated than YVR. People from the Lower Mainland and Vacnouver Island can easily drive to Vancouver or take a ferry instead of fly. On the other hand, passengers from YCD, YYJ, YXX and so forth have no choice but fly to YYC. Furthermore, residents of the Lower Mainland have YVR, YXX, BLI and SEA to choose from...whereas people from the Calgary Region have YYC and nothing else.