By Oli Herrera

CHEAP AIRLINE TICKETS

Travellers can expect cheap tickets and more flights coming to Prince George Airport

Jun 8, 2021 | 4:32 PM

PRINCE GEORGE–If you’re thinking of taking a flight somewhere in Canada this summer, the time to book is now. In an effort to get more people back on planes, airlines are now offering flights at a cost that’s much cheaper than in the past.

With borders closed and stay-at-home orders across the country, the airline industry has been one of the hardest hit from the pandemic. But with two notable airlines starting to offer domestic flights through the entire year at rock-bottom prices, it could mean more travellers coming to and from Prince George.

As of June 8th, if you were to take a Westjet flight from Prince George to Vancouver on June 30th, it would cost only $76 before taxes. According to SABER, which is a software used by airlines and travel agencies, that same flight went for $131 in 2020. In 2019 it would cost $174.

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“We’re really excited just to see those prices come down to where it’s much more accessible for the leisure traveller. People can get back to doing what they do, like visiting friends or family when it’s safe to do so.” said Gordon Duke, CEO of Prince George Airport Authority.

Duke says it’s not just low prices the airport is seeing, airlines are also expanding their flight schedule as well.

“We’re seeing expanded frequencies. Westjet and Air Canada are being cautious but they are putting more seats back in the market. Flair is coming into the market with twice weekly service to Edmonton and Vancouver.” said Duke.

Central Mountain Air is among the airlines that are expanding their flight schedules. CEO Bob Cummings says that by the end of the month, there’s going be more than 120 flights and 55 of those are going be in and out Prince George.

“Over 40% of our network touches Prince George. Prince George is our key hub and our airline doesn’t work without Prince George. We have a great relationship with all the folks there, the airport the city and so forth.” said Cummings

Cummings says pre-pandemic, CMA saw around 200,000 travellers a year, including chartered flights. He’s hoping to reach 75% of that number by the end of the year.

“It’ll take a little while for the market to recover, and we kept all the infrastructure warm but it’ll take a little while to ramp all that up as well.”

But it’s a different for the airport authority. Normally, the airport saw around 500,000 travellers a year Last year, there were only about 150,000. In March, at the beginning of the pandemic, there were only 1,000 that month. It may be a few years before they see pre-pandemic numbers.

“We see initially this interprovincial travel within BC and Alberta and then domestic travel. A very measured approach to expansion before we get to the transborder and international flights that we see. So before we recover I think it’s in that three to four year range.” said Duke.

But Duke says he’s optimistic about recovery and looks forward to getting passengers back on board soon.

“We’re excited about that, we’re happy to work with all our airline partners to expand those offerings. We want them to be successful, we want people in Prince George to have the opportunity to move freely about the country like we used to.” said Duke.