In March 2012, a flash mob at Penticton Regional Airport called on WestJet to fly from Penticton. The wish is near reality. (File photo)
The president of the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce (SOCC) board of directors says air travel for residents of Osoyoos – and thousands across the South Okanagan – is about to become a whole lot easier.
That’s because daily flights from Penticton to Calgary on WestJet will begin in late October and residents, as of last week, are now able to book reservations for this new service.
“It’s pretty exciting news,” said Myers Bennett, who was named the new SOCC board president last fall. “My neighbours are originally from Calgary and they own a home in Calgary as well as the place they own in Osoyoos.
“Instead of having to drive to Kelowna to catch a flight to Calgary or go from Penticton to Vancouver and then on to Calgary, they will be able to book a doctor’s appointment and fly home, go to that appointment and be back in Osoyoos on the same day.”
Because Calgary’s international airport has connections to many national and international airports and easy access to Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, this new Penticton to Calgary service is going to make air travel much more convenient for residents across the South Okanagan, said Bennett.
“There are a lot of people who live in this area who are originally from Alberta and Saskatchewan,” he said. “They can now jump on a quick flight from Penticton to Calgary and move on from there instead of having to drive to Kelowna and park their vehicle there and pay some pretty stiff parking fees.
“Just the drive to Kelowna and parking fees can get quite expensive. Now if you live in Osoyoos or Oliver or Okanagan Falls, you can drive to the Penticton Airport and pay minimal parking fees and be in Calgary very quickly. It’s going to be very helpful to a lot of people in the area.”
Calgary’s airport is adding more direct flights to international destinations with each passing year, which will again offer increased convenience and choice for air travellers in the South Okanagan, said Bennett.
With the recent announcement of the daily Let’s Go Transportation shuttle service between Osoyoos and Kelowna International Airport several weeks ago, the transportation services for residents across the South Okanagan have improved dramatically, which is good news for residents and business owners, said Bennett.
“It’s all about offering options and convenience to people who live in this area and the thousands of tourists who want to come and visit our region,” he said. “Being able to bring people here and then transport them around once they get here is something that has been badly needed for a long time.”
WestJet will be using its Encore Bombardier Q400 NextGen aircrafts to transport passengers on the Penticton to Calgary service.
Flights will leave daily at 2:05 pm. from Calgary and will land in Penticton 76 minutes later. Daily flights will fly from Penticton at and 2:55 p.m. Pacific time and land in Calgary at 5 p.m. Mountain time.
The basic one-way fare will be only $79. Extra fees and service charges will raise that total to $135 from Calgary to Penticton and $103 from Penticton to Calgary.
Penticton’s community support and business case fits with WestJet’s commitment to serving the Okanagan Valley, said Ferio Pugliese, President, WestJet Encore.
“We are excited to bring our low fares, great guest experience and convenient schedule to a community in need of air service options. Guests will now have access to 18 same-day connections to WestJet destinations out of Calgary.”
This is wonderful news for the City of Penticton and the entire South Okanagan region, said Penticton Mayor Garry Litke. “There has been an overwhelming demand locally for increased air service to Alberta.” he said. “The city has been working hard to secure this eastern route and respond to the region’s needs, opening the door for increased business and tourism opportunities. We can’t wait to board the first non-stop flight to Calgary.”
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
