Delta suspends flights to Canadian Rockies International Airport
Delta Air Lines International Air Service to the Canadian Rockies International Airport will not return for the 2010 – 2011 season.
Low passenger yields hindered the Fly YXC Alliance’s ability to raise funds locally in order to provide a revenue guarantee to Delta Air Lines for another winter service season. The recent unfortunate downturn in the global economy and subsequent delayed rebound in the U.S. economy is behind the lower than anticipated usage, making the venture unsustainable at this time, resulting in the decision to take a hiatus for the winter 2010 – 2011 travel season.
“Although the Delta service is on hiatus, I know that the experience provided to our community and region is very positive,” says Cranbrook Mayor Scott Manjak. “What this means going forward is an opportunity to for us to explore other potential air service options for this region. I want to thank Delta, the provincial government,
Columbia Basin Trust, SIDIT and many local businesses for the support over the past two years.”
Delta began operating flights in and out of the region, from their hub in Salt Lake City, Utah in December 2008. Two full winter seasons of service were provided along with one summer service season.
Part of the overall strategy to attract one of the world’s leading carriers was the creation of the Fly YXC Alliance. The Alliance is a non-profit private sector society funded largely by private business and pledged dollars to provide a revenue guarantee to Delta, in order for service to successfully operate. The City of Cranbrook commends the strong commitment of the private sector to see this venture succeed, not to mention the strong public support and enthusiastic backing of the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources and Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett.
Another significant result of working with Delta is the wealth of experience and knowledge that will be well utilized going forward.
“Over the course of Delta’s tenure at the Airport, we were able to collect a wealth of statistics on usage,” says Airport Managing Director Tristen Chernove. “What we found was the key US market utilizing Delta’s flights into the region, was the pacific southwest – California in particular. Armed with this information we see an
opportunity to build a stronger market while working toward re-establishing U.S. service.”
The city states this hiatus by no means signals the end of this regions’ relationship with Delta. A strong, lasting relationship
remains between Delta and the community and the stage is set to reintroduce the service when economic conditions are right.
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