Medicine Hat Air Service

In 2012, the Chamber adopted a policy and recommendations for improvements to air service, as there were challenges related to high airfare premiums; wait times for connecting flights; limited flight frequency; limited destination options and limited capacity of passenger flights. In 2019, we were able to mark the policy as complete as we had two major air carriers at that time, a smaller carrier that was providing direct flights to Edmonton, the competition improved rates for flights and increased flight frequency as well as improved capacity. You can view our previous policy and recommendations here: https://chamber.medicinehatchamber.com/policywins/Details/medicine-hat-air-service-12234

Concerns have surfaced once again and we are finding a need to re-instate our policy with updated background information and recommendations to reflect the current situation with air service in our region. We are reigniting our advocacy to improve air service in our community, and we also want your feedback. 

Why this matters: While businesses have indicated that they would choose to fly out of Medicine Hat, if the fares were more reasonable and schedules would accommodate same daytime business travel and better connections and connection times, we continue to face obstacles related to a more conducive model for air service. We want to keep and improve air service in our region, as air transport provides significant economic and social benefits. It facilitates tourism, trade, connectivity, generates economic growth, provides jobs, improves living standards, and provides more rapid response when disasters occur.

We encourage our business travellers to attend our WestJet roundtable on October 2nd: https://chamber.southeastalbertachamber.ca/chambercalendar/Details/westjet-roundtable-1189302?sourceTypeId=Website  

and provide us any feedback you would like to see included in future recommendations to policy@southeastalbertachamber.ca before October 1, 2024.