The first WestJet Link flight has landed at the Lloydminster Airport.
On Thursday, residents had the opportunity to watch the flight land in from the Calgary International Airport carrying many passengers. The day was described as a historic moment for the City as it grows its transportation services. Lloydminster Airport Manager Wade Frasz says the new airline will add more convenience for people in the region, as well as grow the airport.
“It’s going to bring a lot of employees in and the biggest thing for us you’ll be able to go to Mexico, Hawaii right out of Lloyd, go to Toronto right out of Lloyd.”
The Saab 340B aircraft has 34 seats with four plus seats that will take people from Lloydminster to Calgary and there they can connect to any other flight. Regional Manager of Western Canada for WestJet Arvin Nagules says they chose Calgary as the destination for the flight to help grow their current hubs.
“So currently, in Calgary, we have the most number of destinations and flights out of Calgary and what this does for us is to be able to connect more of our guests, especially in communities like Lloydminster and everywhere WestJet Link is flying to too actually open up more opportunities for them to fly.”
WestJet Link has partnered with Pacific Coastal Airlines (PCA) in order to provide their services in the City. Director of Business Development for PCA Kevin Boothroyd says the agreement between the two airlines is called a Capacity Purchase Agreement.
“We own the aircraft, we bought the aircraft, we hire the pilots, train the pilots, the flight attendants, the base staff for all employees of Pacific Coastal Airlines, but it is all branded as WestJet.”
The airport now has two airlines, the other being Central Mountain Air.