It's official - Air Canada now flies to the Red Deer Regional Airport, making the airline the first international carrier to directly serve citizens of Central Alberta.
With Red Deer now linked to the Air Canada network, central Albertans will be able to book Red Deer flights that will connect to other points around Canada and the rest of the world.
On the morning of Sept. 1, airport staff, Air Canada representatives, and members of Red Deer County council and invited guests gathered at the Red Deer Regional Airport to witness the first Air Canada flight to lower its wheels on the landing strip of the airport.
The special flight departed from Calgary and landed in Red Deer just after 9 a.m. in front of a crowd of around 50 people. The flight took just under 30 minutes.
RJ Steenstra, chief executive officer of the Red Deer Airport Authority, said having an international airline take flight at the airport is great news for both the airport and the citizens of Central Alberta.
“We are excited to see the first flights come in to our airport, and to be boarding and deboarding with us,” said Steenstra.
“Beyond the convenience of having connections to cities from all over the world, it will have a significant economical impact for our community and it will make Central Alberta more accessible to the rest of the world,” he added.
Steenstra went on to say that in addition to the convenience Air Canada will bring to the airport, it would also create more employment opportunities. Already, 20 new employees have been hired at the Red Deer airport, he said.
Three daily Air Canada flights will travel between Red Deer Regional Airport and Calgary International Airport, all three using an 18-seat Beechcraft 1900D aircraft.
Air Canada is the first international airline to service any airport in Central Alberta. Correspondence between airport officials and Air Canada started in February of this year and the announcement about the international airline was made public this past July.
With the new service, users can book an Air Canada flight to Calgary, which can then connect passengers to any other of the airline's destinations.
“It's an easier way to travel. It is convenient, cost effective, and right in our backyard,” said Steenstra.
“I think this will do amazing things for the people of Central Alberta. I think this will impact the area greatly. “
He added there are many benefits to booking flights with Red Deer Regional Airport, including free parking and shorter lines at check-in and security.
“I think this move will encourage people to utilize their local airport more than in the past,” he said.
“We have been waiting for this at our airport for a long time.”
