Red Arrow launches Edmonton to Calgary International Airport route
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EDMONTON — A high-profile campaign to convince Edmontonians to break their habit of flying out of Calgary will be hit by a Red Arrow on Monday.
That’s when Edmonton-based Red Arrow Motorcoach launches a direct route to Calgary International Airport from Edmonton.
The service will depart Edmonton via Red Deer at 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends for the same fares as its regular Edmonton-Calgary service. There will also be Calgary departures to Edmonton via Calgary International Airport and Red Deer.
It comes as Edmonton Airports is fighting to convince Edmontonians to fly from the Edmonton International Airport instead of Calgary’s airport.
Red Arrow general manager John Stepovy said Friday the company is responding to public demand.
It has offered a similar service for more than eight years, running a shuttle van to the Calgary airport from its north stop in Calgary for Edmonton-Calgary customers who book it.
The popularity of that shuttle service and passenger surveys showed strong demand for a direct route, Stepovy said.
“Based on just the demand, we felt that there is certainly a business opportunity to transport people to the airport,” Stepovy said.
“We’re in business to stay in business like everyone else. There’s an opportunity. We see it. Without any kind of effort or any real advertising … we’re carrying over 5,000 passengers a year in and out of the airport.
“We just felt that if we can continue to cater to our passengers’ demands and requirements and needs, we can grow our business and service our market. It’s obviously there.”
Since the Stop the Calgary Habit advertising campaign started in March, about 19,000 fewer Edmontonians skipped the international airport in favour of a flight from Calgary compared with the same period last year.
The Edmonton International Airport suffers an arrivals and departures “leakage” estimated at 750,000 a year because of the perception that Edmontonians can save time and money by driving the 280 kilometres to the competing airport.
Edmonton Airports spokeswoman Sarah Meffen said the bus route is not necessarily a setback for the campaign.
“This is a new service and we don’t know a lot about it,” Meffen said.
“I’m not saying it’s a good thing or a bad thing. I think we’re interested to see how well it works and we’d also be interested in talking to the provider such as Red Arrow.
“Maybe there are other communities that would be interested in direct service to Edmonton International as well.”
Meffen said the bus route may appeal to a “niche market” but it may not be economical for a family of four.
