Traffic surges at Saskatoon airport, but Sask. not allowed to accept international travellers
Saskatoon’s airport saw a jump in daily domestic passengers since the provincial government removed all public health restrictions, but not all flight options and airlines have returned.
“Things have been improving dramatically as we look across the country as reopen plans start taking place in other provinces,” said Andrew Leeming, vice president of operational excellence at Saskatoon International Airport.
“If I go back to May we were looking at about 400 passengers a day, we’re now at about 1,500 passengers a day.”
But that’s still only halfway to the 2019 passenger volumes where, depending on the time of year, Leeming said Saskatoon saw around 2,000 to 3,000 passengers a day.
In May 2020, U.S.-based Delta Airlines announced it was suspending service to Saskatoon, eliminating many direct flights from American cities to Saskatoon.
It’s something Leeming said the airport simply needs to wait and see if and when Delta decides the investment is right to resume operations in Saskatoon.
Saskatoon was one of 10 airports where Delta suspended operations, when it made the announcement on May 8.
In an email to CTV News, a spokesperson for Delta Airlines said “at this time, we do not have a date to resume service to Saskatoon. We’re continually evaluating demand trends and rebuilding our network as demand resumes.”
On Monday, the federal government announced fully vaccinated U.S. citizens will be permitted into Canada beginning Aug. 9 for non-essential travel, but only at nine airports.
Saskatoon and Regina are not on the list of airports allowed to accept international travellers.
Leeming said he’s disappointed but not concerned.
“We’re not concerned at this point but some disappointment there is no Saskatchewan direct port of entry,” Leeming said.
“There are several similar situations at airports across the country as Skyxe so we anticipate movement in the near future.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.