File photo taken inside the Lethbridge Airport on March 29, 2022. The airport has recently undergone significant renovations. (Lethbridge News Now)

By Justin Goulet

City of Lethbridge highlights upcoming changes at airport

Jul 28, 2022 | 12:11 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The City of Lethbridge is marking an evolutionary period at the Lethbridge Airport.

The City of Lethbridge has announced some changes for the travel hub, including additional flights, preparations for new routes and the September 1 reinstatement of paid parking.

As of August 1, 2022, WestJet will add an additional flight to Calgary from Lethbridge, bringing the total to three flights per day. That’s expected to bring their passenger traffic back up close to pre-pandemic levels.

The City of Lethbridge said major steps are being taken to get set for the Flair Airlines route to Tucson, Arizona. Flair is an ultralow cost carrier and has partnered with the Lethbridge Airport to trial a weekly Tucson/Lethbridge route for 16 weeks starting in December of this year.

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Jason Elliott, City of Lethbridge Director of Customer, Corporate and Commercial Services said, “We are incredibly lucky to have partners like WestJet and Flair who are also committed to growing airport operations at YQL.”

“Adding the Flair flight does mean some additional changes need to be made within some very tight timelines. We have staff and contractors working quickly to modify capacity and security requirements to accommodate the number of passengers anticipated.”

One of the important requirements being worked out is securing Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) approval. Having border services set up at YQL will be required for travel to the United States. Lethbridge is just one of many cities in Canada awaiting CBSA approval as they move forward with new Flair Airlines routes.

Elliott said, “There are several steps required at the airport to prepare us for the Flair flights in December and the CBSA approval is one of those milestones.”

“We are seeing progress in that process and are optimistic that we can have this confirmed in the next few weeks.”

Additional required enhancements at the terminal include:

• Increased seating capacity in the pre-boarding holding room;
• International security accommodations;
• Checked baggage drop off and screening area enhancements.

Recently, the Lethbridge Airport underwent a significant modernization program, which was made possible through federal and provincial grant funding.

READ MORE: Lethbridge Airport celebrates grand reopening following extensive renos

Elliott stated, “We know the timing isn’t ideal, having just completed a major renovation at the terminal but these changes really are the next step in the evolution of the Lethbridge Airport.”

Citizens who have booked or are booking a flight from Lethbridge to Tucson during the 16-week trial can expect some temporary modifications at the facility to accommodate the new route as both the City of Lethbridge and Flair Airlines explore the viability of a low cost carrier in Lethbridge.

Beginning September 1, 2022, travelers can expect to see the resumption of paid parking at the airport. Paid parking was temporarily paused in 2021 to accommodate terminal construction and to install new parking technology. The new system will offer discounted pricing for extended parking stays. All of the work aligns with the City of Lethbridge’s plan to move the airport forward by boosting passenger traffic and revenue diversification through land development. More information is available in the 2021-2024 YQL Business Plan.

The Lethbridge Airport will host the Lethbridge International Airshow this weekend. The event is on Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31, 2022.

READ MORE: Things to know before you go: Lethbridge International Airshow

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