Already in a fight to keeps it’s air traffic control tower, the Regina Airport Authority could now be facing the possibility of losing it’s “international” designation.
M.P for Regina-Wascana, Michael Kram, said a Transport Canada document he obtained listing 13 international airports, did not include either Regina or Saskatoon.
Kram says it would be very concerning from a number of standpoints for Saskatchewan airports to lose “international” status.
“It is a big concern because it will hurt our city and it’s ability to attract new businesses,” Kram said. “It will also make it more difficult for families to fly down to sunny destinations in the winter, this would make us look more like a backwater destination, instead of an international city,” he added.
Kram says the term “international” is much more than just an honorary title.
“It’s a global classification system that airlines use to determine where they direct flights. The loss of this designation may mean that charter flights and the few direct international flights still coming into Regina and Saskatoon may be redirected to other centres.”
Kram said he doesn’t think anyone would want to see this situation become a reality, and encourages residents to speak out.
“I don’t think anybody wants to see us unable to attract international flights to our city, so certainly I have heard the message loud and clear over the last few months that people in Regina want to keep our airport, and I think that maybe it’s time for people to start emailing Justin Trudeau directly, or email the Transport Minister directly to voice their concerns,” Kram said.
One ray of hope Kram said, is that airports have the right and ability to appeal decisions made about their status.
If losing its international designation did become a reality for Regina or Saskatoon, that would not mean a loss of flights to the U.S. as those are deemed trans-border flights.
However it could result in a loss of flights to the Caribbean, Cuba and Mexico, and result in slower growth moving forward.
