[Dubas]

Waited for my bags from a domestic flight for 2.5 hours. EIA staff member told me there are minimal baggage employees and when a shift ends, there are large gaps between the next shift, causing delays in getting bags out. Embarrassing showing for an international airport.

 

[David A]

I wonder if the hailstorm at YYC last summer has anything to do with WS focus on YEG this year. WS had 20 planes out of commission for a considerable amount of time and by all accounts with climate change this could be a significant issue going forward.

I was wondering about that too. It is good to not put all your eggs in one basket, which probably became clearer after that.

 

[David A]

Condor Rejigs Long-Haul Network Completely As US & Canada Flights Are Cut

Condor is suspending flights to six destinations in the US and Canada. We look at where that excess capacity is going this summer.

simpleflying.com

We are one of a number of cities, several similar sized, where they cut service so we should not take this too personally. It is unfortunate, but it seems the issues that led to this have little to do with us other than the impact.

 

[BrettB]

Waited for my bags from a domestic flight for 2.5 hours. EIA staff member told me there are minimal baggage employees and when a shift ends, there are large gaps between the next shift, causing delays in getting bags out. Embarrassing showing for an international airport.

This is brutal. It's an airline/contractor issue and not the airport.

Some airports will assign staff to jump in on occasion because no matter who is at fault, the airport ends up wearing it.

 

[Glenco]

Actually Seoul would be a really good get for YEG. Incheon is a great airport, plenty of connections and a very comfortable facility if you get a long layover.

Doubt it'd be viable at this point, but maybe someday...

Another interesting option would be Manila considering the huge Philippine diaspora of western Canada. Distance from YVR 10,561km from YEG 10,861km

 

[HappyJazzz]

Perhaps Edmonton/Seoul could start out as a summer flight, if we ever get it.

I just looked at what connections ICN offered and was surprised to see YYC is getting exactly that this summer. Guess we'll see how well it gets used, but if they can support 2 Asian flights, it still bodes well for YEG getting one sooner or later.

 

[HappyJazzz]

This is brutal. It's an airline/contractor issue and not the airport.

Some airports will assign staff to jump in on occasion because no matter who is at fault, the airport ends up wearing it.

As much as I like YEG, the baggage claim has been remarkably slow compared to most, but YVR isn't much better.

Not sure what the Asian airports do differently but its not uncommon for bags to be coming off the conveyor by the time you get there.

 

[HappyJazzz]

Another interesting option would be Manila considering the huge Philippine diaspora of western Canada. Distance from YVR 10,561km from YEG 10,861km

Yep, when I last dug into a census I noticed that Tagalog is the second most common language in much of the prairies so the Filipino community was definitely one of the markets I had in mind.

Manila still offers great regional connections, but would likely be more of a tourist destination for travelers than Korea which has a severe lack of sunny beaches.

This could be the better one for YEG to chase now that YYC has ICN coming.

 

[The_Cat]

Edmonton has a lot of population with Philippine ancestry.

 

[blue12]

I just looked at what connections ICN offered and was surprised to see YYC is getting exactly that this summer. Guess we'll see how well it gets used, but if they can support 2 Asian flights, it still bodes well for YEG getting one sooner or later.

View attachment 623662

YYC-ICN on Westjet operated last summer as well. It did very well, in fact they're increasing capacity on it this season as compared to last.

Yep, when I last dug into a census I noticed that Tagalog is the second most common language in much of the prairies so the Filipino community was definitely one of the markets I had in mind.

Manila still offers great regional connections, but would likely be more of a tourist destination for travelers than Korea which has a severe lack of sunny beaches.

This could be the better one for YEG to chase now that YYC has ICN coming.

View attachment 623666

I wish Manila would work, but it simply wouldn't. Too much direct/family travel traffic to fill up business class, and most airlines manage to turn a profit by utilizing a business class layout. This is partially why many long-haul, low cost carriers don't make it in the long run.

 

[Vanfan123]

I just looked at what connections ICN offered and was surprised to see YYC is getting exactly that this summer. Guess we'll see how well it gets used, but if they can support 2 Asian flights, it still bodes well for YEG getting one sooner or later.

View attachment 623662

The reason Calgary YYC has up to 2 nonstop Asia flights currently, is because its Main Hub is located there in Canada & WestJet has a lot of connecting flights/ passengers that go through YYC & it helps WestJet fill up its 7 Boeing 787-9 planes based out of YYC to Europe, Asia, (Hawaii US & Mexico seasonally) year round.

YYC would have 0 nonstop flights to Asia , *if* WestJet decided to base its main hub elsewhere in Canada, as currently they have 0 Asian Airline flying there just like Edmonton YEG.
Although YYC-Europe is a different story as there is competition.

And It doesn’t really bode well for a YEG- Asia non stop anytime soon, (unless) WestJet expands their codesharing cooperation more with 1 of either Korean Air or Japan Airlines, like they did with KLM.

As for Air Canada they’re currently very focused on building its Vancouver YVR, Toronto YYZ & Montreal YUL Hubs & they haven’t added much for YEG, YYC & other smaller cities in Canada- don’t expect a Alberta to Asia nonstop from them anytime soon all.

 

[HappyJazzz]

I wish Manila would work, but it simply wouldn't. Too much direct/family travel traffic to fill up business class, and most airlines manage to turn a profit by utilizing a business class layout. This is partially why many long-haul, low cost carriers don't make it in the long run.

Interesting point, you may be right there. But there's always more affluent travelers that are willing to pay for the extra comfort. You could also have business travelers that are using the route to connect on to Hong Kong, Singapore or Bangkok.

Thailand is already a Tim's colony, our oil companies and abhorrently expensive telcos can't be far behind!

 

[HappyJazzz]

The reason Calgary YYC has up to 2 nonstop Asia flights currently, is because its Main Hub is located there in Canada & WestJet has a lot of connecting flights/ passengers that go through YYC & it helps WestJet fill up its 7 Boeing 787-9 planes based out of YYC to Europe, Asia, (Hawaii US & Mexico seasonally) year round.

YYC would have 0 nonstop flights to Asia , *if* WestJet decided to base its main hub elsewhere in Canada, as currently they have 0 Asian Airline flying there just like Edmonton YEG.
Although YYC-Europe is a different story as there is competition.

And It doesn’t really bode well for a YEG- Asia non stop anytime soon, (unless) WestJet expands their codesharing cooperation more with 1 of either Korean Air or Japan Airlines, like they did with KLM.

As for Air Canada they’re currently very focused on building its Vancouver YVR, Toronto YYZ & Montreal YUL Hubs & they haven’t added much for YEG, YYC & other smaller cities in Canada- don’t expect a Alberta to Asia nonstop from them anytime soon all.

Yeah I think you hit the real showstopper, the airline alliances will probably be too encumbering.

I still figure just from sheer volume though YEG will get one someday. Both YYC and YVR are busy airports, sooner or later YEG will start to look appealing on time slot or cost for a new flight.

 

[Glenco]

Yeah I think you hit the real showstopper, the airline alliances will probably be too encumbering.

I still figure just from sheer volume though YEG will get one someday. Both YYC and YVR are busy airports, sooner or later YEG will start to look appealing on time slot or cost for a new flight.

So how does KLM make it with no connections or business passengers. Rhetorical question. They obviously do so the connectivity is sufficient and being greatly expanded by WS. PAL are geared towards providing basic fare for people travelling to see family. They have ordered new A350-1000 with a 380 seat configuration with 3-3-3 in economy. If they can’t make it work then whom.

 

[blue12]

Interesting point, you may be right there. But there's always more affluent travelers that are willing to pay for the extra comfort. You could also have business travelers that are using the route to connect on to Hong Kong, Singapore or Bangkok.

Thailand is already a Tim's colony, our oil companies and abhorrently expensive telcos can't be far behind!

Yes there always will be some business travellers no matter what the route is, but the point is not enough to sustain such a personal-travel heavy market. Even leisure carriers such as Condor have upgraded options because they too couldn't make it on solely economy tickets.

For those looking to connect onwards, MNL just isn't the spot either. HGK or SIN would be far better as they have more direct, business, and connecting passengers. But it would be unrealistic to expect YEG to get a direct flight to HKG or SIN any time soon.