The Tucson-bound flight service from Flair Airlines out of the Lethbridge Airport has been delayed as improvement work continues at the facility. (File photo: LNN)

By Christian Oldale

Tucson-bound flights out of Lethbridge delayed as work continues at airport

Sep 1, 2023 | 4:18 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The proposed Lethbridge to Tucson, Arizona flight will not be happening in 2023.

In early 2022, it was announced that Flair Airlines would be offering the service out of the Lethbridge Airport, beginning in December 2022. Later in the year, an update was provided, notifying prospective travellers that the launch of the route was being delayed to 2023.

READ MORE: Flair Airlines delays launch of Tucson-bound flights out of Lethbridge until 2023

However, on September 1, 2023, the City of Lethbridge provided another update on the partnership with Flair, and said the route to Tucson will not be happening this year after all.

Jason Elliott, Director of Corporate Services for the City of Lethbridge said, “The City, like the community and the region, is disappointed to hear that Flair is not doing the Tucson operations this winter, but we remain optimistic and committed to having those discussions with Flair for future route expansion.”

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Elliott added, “We are in constant communications with Flair around the route development options, so this is something we mutually had a conversation about.”

The City of Lethbridge said work will continue at the Lethbridge terminal to get the airport ready for trans-border flights in the future. That work includes:

• expanding the processing area for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
• a new baggage drop-off and screening area
• the procurement of a boarding ramp
• the procurement of a tow tractor

Elliott further explained that the Lethbridge Airport is undersized to accomodate Boeing 737 planes, and one of the City’s priorities is the expansion of the terminal and runways in order to allow room for the 737s.

He said talks are underway with City Council regarding the expansion. The boarding ramp that caused delays in 2022 has been obtained, and is on the way to the airport for the fall.

Elliott elaborated further, “We’ve got plenty of space for the runway expansion and the terminal expansion for that matter, in addition to other commercial opportunity expansion.”

Of the money invested in the airport so far, 93 per cent has been from grant dollars and the remaining seven per cent was previously budgeted in the City’s Capital Improvement Program.

The airport has played host to events like the Le Barons Car Club drag races, Royal Canadian Air Force training and the Lethbridge International Airshow, among others. Elliott said upgrades to the airport and the flights the facility will bring in will help further bolster tourism in the area.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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