The City of Medicine Hat is aggressively pursuing a replacement for WestJet's passenger service, according to the manager of the southern Alberta city's airport. Calgary-based WestJet will cease flights to Calgary from both Medicine Hat and Lethbridge airports in two weeks, citing insufficient demand.
Community Response and Survey Results
In a recent survey, over 90 per cent of Medicine Hat residents indicated that scheduled air service is important to them, noted Logan Boyd, manager of the Medicine Hat Regional Airport. "We have a mandate from residents and the business community to pursue air service," he said.
Efforts to Secure a Replacement Carrier
City officials have contacted multiple carriers, but Boyd emphasized that the municipality cannot "get ahead of announcements that our partners make." He remains optimistic about the airport's future. "We hope to have a replacement service very soon," he stated during a Monday interview with Postmedia.
WestJet has operated out of Medicine Hat since 2018, following Air Canada's earlier service. The final WestJet flight is scheduled for June 24. Boyd acknowledged the challenge: "This is a challenge, just like COVID was, just like any uncertainty in aviation and uncertainty in the economy."
Impact on Regional Connectivity
"There will be material loss of connectivity to this region, and that's why we're working so hard to restore that," Boyd said. The terminal will continue operating after WestJet's departure, with potential increases in charter traffic.
Airport Operations and Activity
The airport remains busy with charter activity, general aviation, and flight training, which have grown significantly in recent years. It serves as a medivac base, completing 4,400 interfacility transfers in the past five years, and hosts HALO Air Ambulance. Last year, the airport recorded roughly 38,000 movements, with WestJet accounting for two per cent of landings and takeoffs.
Core operations, including snow removal, grass cutting, and light maintenance, will continue unchanged. Boyd noted that regional airports face challenges similar to other businesses, such as rising costs and workforce uncertainty. Over the last decade, at least $15 million has been invested in the airport, primarily from federal sources.
Broader Regional Airport Challenges
The City of Lethbridge has described operating a regional airport as a "challenging environment," citing rising airline operating costs, fluctuating fuel prices, and ongoing labour and maintenance pressures. "Airlines are consolidating routes and prioritizing larger hubs," Lethbridge officials stated.
