Red Deer Regional Airport is losing its only scheduled passenger service.
Swanberg Air Inc. notified the airport last week that it will discontinue passenger flights through Red Deer effective Sept. 8, confirmed RJ Steenstra, CEO of the Red Deer Regional Airport.
Steenstra said Grande Prairie-based Swanberg, which began flying out of the Springbrook airport nearly two years ago, was suffering from low passenger counts. Since June, it’s only been flying to and from Red Deer on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
“It was really just a business decision at the end of the day,” he said.
The Advocate was unable to obtain comment from Swanberg, but the airline’s website said the company is “undergoing changes” and a new schedule should be available on Sept. 12. Its 1-877 number is no longer in service.
Steenstra downplayed the significance of Swanberg’s departure.
“This is disappointing and a small setback, but it’s not a disaster for the airport by any means.”
He said Red Deer Regional Airport remains very busy, and has a booming charter business.
“In July, the Red Deer airport was number 1 in the country among regional airports for aircraft movements — at almost 8,000 aircraft movements. These are really important messages to get out.”
Steenstra said the airport is working to further build its charter traffic, develop its land holdings and engage the local public. He added that he’s in discussions with other carriers that are interested in providing scheduled passenger service to Central Alberta.
“These opportunities focus on direct routes from Red Deer, with aircraft based here at the airport.”
Swanberg’s exit from the local market actually makes it more attractive to these companies, he said.
In the meantime, however, the loss of scheduled passenger service could jeopardize the Red Deer Regional Airport’s eligibility for infrastructure improvement funding under the federal Airports Capital Assistance Program.
“It makes meeting their minimum requirements a little more of a challenge,” acknowledged Steenstra, “but you never know.”
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com