YKA believes new Kamloops-to-Edmonton offering has better chance to succeed than 2023 Flair flight

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops residents will soon have a direct route to Edmonton as a new seasonal flight has been added to the schedule at the Kamloops Airport.

WestJet will be operating the seasonal, twice-weekly flight beginning in July for the summer months.

The connection has been tried before, most recently by Flair Airlines during the summer of 2023. This time, however, the flight will be flown in slightly smaller planes, allowing the route to remain financially viable.

“It’s definitely a different airline, different service. Flair was using a larger aircraft, a 737. This service will be a Q400 operated by WestJet. Different times, different service, smaller plane, easier to fill — I expect a different outcome,” said YKA Managing Director Jim Moroz.

At this time, it appears that the flights between Kamloops and Edmonton will operate on Fridays and Sundays until August 31. The direct flights are being advertised starting at just shy of $112 for the ‘UltraBasic’ economy level.

“We have always known there is a demand from Kamloops to go to Edmonton and on the other end for Edmontonian to come to Kamloops. The demand is there and this just gives us the service,” added Moroz.

The move to add the option in Kamloops comes amid more Canadians choosing to avoid travel to the United States.

While wanting to focus on the new Edmonton offering, Moroz stated conversations are always ongoing to expand service at the airport.

“We are always having those conversations, we are always looking in, asking our airline partners, promoting Kamloops for other destinations and routes. But today, we are focusing on Edmonton and serving as a good opportunity for Kamloops to show that this demand is real and we can fill those seats,” said Moroz.