YXS Looks to See If WestJet Regional Plans Will Include P.G.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 @ 3:58 AM
Prince George, B.C.- WestJet has announced it is considering the launch of a new short-haul, regional airline as early as 2013 using a fleet of approximately 40 smaller, turboprop aircraft.
"This is an exciting consideration for WestJetters," said Gregg Saretsky, WestJet President and CEO. "We are meeting with WestJetters throughout January to get their input on this watershed decision. One of the cornerstones of our success is engaging with employees early on in key decisions and I am confident they will see the strategic value of this initiative. Once our employees have had the opportunity to share their input, we will be in a better position to make a sound decision rooted in employee feedback and engagement.
It is too early to say how this might impact Prince George. YXS President John Gibson says there has been no word yet on which routes WestJet might be considering “This is something we will be talking about with them this week”.
Gibson says it isn’t likely the regional flights being contemplated would involve a Terrace to Prince George flight, or Ft. St. John to P.G. route, “I think those markets are still too small. We’re working with Central Mountain Air as we speak to expand those services with smaller aircraft than a 70 seat airplane.” Gibson says a 70 seat aircraft is about the size of craft WestJet is looking at for this possible regional line, “To get the seat cost benefit they want, it’s got to be about a 70 seat airplane.”
Gibson says his meeting with WestJet this week will look at the Las Vegas junket that ran out of YXS this past fall, and the possibility of bringing back a P.G. to Calgary flight. He says the Calgary destination just might fit with this new regional plan “They keep saying their airplanes are too big,(for the P.G- Calgary service) so is that a market for the 70 seat airplane? It could be.”
Clive Beddoe, WestJet Chairman and principal founder says he is excited about the prospects of developing a new regional service, "This new airline, powered by our low-cost model and strong corporate culture would greatly benefit the guests we serve, their communities and our shareholders. Our single fleet of Boeings will be joined by a sister company operating a single fleet of turboprops to maintain maximum efficiencies for both airlines."
Comments
Just put a hop in from Vancouver to the Island!!!
Yes please give us back PG to Victoria and PG to Calgary!
Maybe they will use the turbo props for the Pr George to Vancouver business. Isnt that what Air Canada does??? Pr George for all intents and purposes is a **Regional Area**
I prefer to think of Prince George as a ‘boonie destination’. :)
AC treats us as regional with Jazz service while WJ treats us as a core destination. But these days its rare to be on a plane with 10 people like AC in the old days, so I think that WJ has the load to justify the 737s with minimal flights. I guess if they want to offer more times they need to downsize the plane. And that is an issue for WJ. Often I end up on AC because of the flexibility with all the times offered.
Well, I think it will only work if we have serious connection to places like Vegas and Mexico, otherwise people will just fly to Vancouver. It will be a commitment from Westjet to ensure direct flights, it might not be a daily flight to these major destination points, but if a plane left and came back every couple of days, I am sure people will plan around it.
Well I’m sure they will come as we have a really really long runway.
Some rumored a PG Edmonton run too. Other airlines tried those runs and are no longer in business (PWA & CPA). Doesn’t CMA do PG Edmonton?
Can’t wait for the PG Hawaii run!
You will never get there from here. It’s that simple!
Don’t they know PG is on the super duper polar circumnavigational route ?
They don’t know. Too many syllables in a row.
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