Refugee flights highlight need for large aircraft capacity at YQR
It’s rare to have a large scale aircraft touch down in Saskatchewan. Last month, a Boeing 787 brought 230 displaced Ukrainians from Warsaw to Regina. It took extensive planning to accommodate the plane.
“We had to have specialized air stairs brought in from Calgary airport as well as staff flown from across the country to help handle that flight,” James Bogusz, CEO of the Regina Airport Authority, explained.
“So the obstacle we have here is not one of a facility, meaning we can actually land and have these planes take off. It’s really having the right equipment and staffing available here to manage those planes.”
Last week, when the 787 made a second flight from Warsaw, it landed in Edmonton where passengers transferred to two smaller jets for the final leg of the journey to Regina.
Premier Scott Moe feels it‘s important that Saskatchewan’s two major airports be fully equipped for large planes.
“Absolutely,” he said. “Both of our airports in Saskatchewan should be increasing in the capacity and the types of planes that they are able to accept.”
Saskatchewan has signed a memorandum with aircraft owner Enrique Pineyro for three more humanitarian charters from Warsaw. No decision has been made on where those flights will land.
“Well it depends on them. I’d land happily in Edmonton or here. Here the runway is shorter, requires a bit more concentration once you touch down because you need to brake heavily, apply full reverse,” Pineyro explained.
“Other than that it’s a very good runway.”
It takes a sufficient number of large aircraft arrivals to justify equipment purchase and training and is the responsibility of the airlines and ground handling companies.
The premier has said he will continue to work with the federal government to make capacity improvements at Saskatchewan’s two major airports, for commerce and other initiatives like humanitarian flights.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.