Lethbridge Mayor Voices Disappointment as WestJet Axes Calgary Route
Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen has expressed both surprise and frustration following WestJet's announcement that it will terminate flights between the southern Alberta city and Calgary. The Calgary-based airline revealed on Tuesday that WestJet Encore services connecting Calgary with both Lethbridge and Medicine Hat will cease operations on June 24.
Demand Deemed Insufficient for Route Continuation
During a press conference held Wednesday afternoon at Lethbridge City Hall, Mayor Hyggen acknowledged the business realities facing commercial airlines. "This took us by complete surprise," said Hyggen, while recognizing that airlines make decisions based on route viability. The mayor noted that passenger numbers on the Calgary-Lethbridge service had declined significantly, with WestJet officially stating that demand for flights between Calgary and the two mid-size southern Alberta cities was "insufficient" to justify continued service.
Community Impact and Economic Considerations
Hyggen emphasized the broader role of Lethbridge's airport beyond commercial flights, highlighting:
- Private aircraft operations utilizing the facility
- A flight training school based at the airport
- Medivac services that depend on airport infrastructure
"However, commercial traffic is extremely important—we know that," the mayor stated, adding that the City of Lethbridge will actively explore alternative options. He described airports as economic drivers that help communities reach the "next level" of development and expressed concern that Lethbridge's airport would be "greatly affected" until the city can secure another carrier or two.
Looking Forward After Service Loss
The mayor offered a pragmatic perspective on the situation, telling residents: "I've mentioned this to quite a few folks that if you don't use it, you lose it." This acknowledgment of market realities underscores the challenge facing regional air service in smaller communities when passenger numbers decline below sustainable thresholds.
With the June 24 termination date approaching, Lethbridge officials now face the task of finding replacement air service options to maintain vital connections between southern Alberta and the province's economic hub in Calgary.
