The City of Cranbrook has entered into a five-year deal with WestJet to operate at the Canadian Rockies International Airport.
Under the agreement, WestJet will continue to pay $9 per enplane/deplane passenger.
They will also pay an unspecified landing or general terminal charge.
The airport’s new fall flight schedule change took place on Oct. 27.
Travellers can expect higher passenger volumes due to three outbound flights between Air Canada and WestJet scheduled between 3:00 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.
While the flight schedule is being reduced, airport manager Tristen Chernove says they will actually see more travellers.
While the flight schedule reduction is there, the actual seat capacity is up 23 per cent. While the frequency is down, the actual capacity per day of customers is more,” he said.
He says it will eventually go back to a more normal schedule.
“We’re going to see an improvement in our schedule as early in the new year as late January,” he said.
“The pain we are feeling right now with this very condensed schedule is somewhat temporary.”
Cranbrook city council has also approved some changes to the airport parking and business control bylaw.
“All air terminal building lease rates, except office space, will increase by 10 per cent, office space will increase by 20 per cent and all bare land lease rates will increase by 10 per cent.
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