Direct flights to Vancouver and Toronto are officially back at the Fort McMurray International Airport.
The inaugural flight for Flair Airlines at the airport landed around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday with the plane quickly back in the air traveling out west.
These two flights each saw over 80 per cent capacity on a plane that seats around 170 individuals.
RJ Steenstra, President & CEO of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority, says they’re hoping this will encourage more residents to fly from the community instead of driving to other airports.
“Vancouver and Toronto get us a long way down the road, as you recall, those services were here at the airport and to regain that service is very, very important for this community as it connects us into two major hubs.”
Last month, the airline announced 40 new routes across the country which included trips between Fort McMurray, Toronto, and Vancouver. These flights will be available Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The YMM airport has lost, on average, around 220,000 trips each year. The lack of options and direct flights are believed to be the two main culprits.
With Flair Airlines now joining, Steenstra believes more airlines and destinations could be coming in the near future.
“It just shows confidence in the market and we may see Westjet and Air Canada and others take a look at YMM more seriously.”
The airport is now focusing on getting more inbound flights and providing sun destinations.
Right now, they currently offer charter service to Harrah’s Laughlin, a fully owned Caesars Entertainment hotel and casino in Nevada along the Colorado River.
The @FlyYMM airport officially welcoming @FlairAirlines to Fort McMurray. The inaugural flight landed around 830 Wed morning #ymm #rmwb pic.twitter.com/pRpTShZfo2
— MIX 103.7 News (@Mix1037FMNews) August 26, 2020
