Integra Air Drops Cranbrook to Edmonton Service

Too few customers flying on Integra Air's flight from Cranbrook to Edmonton ultimately doomed the commuter flight, though the Lethbridge—based company hopes to re-enter the market in the future with a bigger plane which would land in Edmonton and carry on to Fort McMurray.

"Fourteen months ago, Integra Air began flying from the Kootenay Region to Edmonton, believing that there was a need", said Dave Macfarlane, Integra Air's vice-president. "We have learned that we were right, but we have also learned that we are not yet ready to properly serve that need. Our passengers have been enthusiastic, but there have been too few of them. Integra will be putting our Cranbrook service on hiatus beginning on Sept. 10, the date after which we have no passengers booked."

He continued, "We have come to the conclusion that to successfully fill the demand we need to provide multiple flights per day, with service carrying on to Fort McMurray, at a less expensive price than what we have been charging. We have a plan which involves a larger, more economical aircraft and we think we can get there, but it is going to take time. We just don't know how much time at this stage.

"To all those who have flown Integra and supported us in so many other ways - thank you. Integra Air has valued and has been very impressed with the cooperation and the input from the Airport Authority, the Cities of Cranbrook and Kimberley, and all the community stakeholders that have supported us in this venture. We look forward to the continued relationships as we move forward in creating the right service for the Valley."