Integra Air poised to begin air service in Canadian Rockies

by Keith Powell — May 06, 2011

As you may have heard by now, Integra Air is poised to begin air service between the Canadian Rockies International Airport (CRIA) at Cranbrook and the Edmonton International Airport (EIA) and the Fort McMurray Airport.

There are two objectives of the proposed air service:

1. To develop easier access to and from the Kootenay Region and Columbia Valley for tourism from Northern Alberta to enjoy all the region has to offer; including golfing, skiing, hiking, etc.

2. To develop the Kootenay Region and Columbia Valley as a bedroom community for the oilsands regions of Alberta. It will allow people to work rotational shifts in Northern Alberta and enjoy the lifestyle that comes with living in the Kootenay Region and Columbia Valley.

3. To develop a stronger real estate market for recreational properties. Northern Albertans will be able to easily come into the region and enjoy their recreational property.

4. To develop a connecting air service with carriers in Edmonton at the Edmonton International Airport.

Integra Air is proposing to launch the service in three phases to mitigate the risk involved with starting a new air service:

1. Service from June to September of 2011 using a 16-passenger Jetstream aircraft with three flights a week.

2. Service from September to December of 2011 with possible seamless connections to Grande Prairie, Alberta and direct flights to Fort McMurray, Alberta using the Jetstream aircraft. Frequency will be analyzed at this point to see if the loads warrant more flights and the times will be evaluated to adjust if required.

3. Direct non-stop service from the Kootenay Valley to Edmonton and direct to Fort McMurray using a SAAB 340B aircraft with 32 passenger seats. We are prepared to commit to phases 1 & 2 and phase 3 will only be considered with successful load factors and yields being achieved.