The Edmonton Airport Authority decided that regular passenger service to the Edmonton City Centre Airport would end on 31 July 2005. All passenger services are to go through the International Airport. This decision has caused an outcry as many small feeder airlines to Edmonton feel that the extra travel required by their business passengers would be a threat to their business. Many business travellers found that arriving near downtown Edmonton was convenient and allowed quicker turnaround times.

Protests were made by interested groups like QuickAir and Integra Air, which fly from southern Alberta centres like Lethbridge and Calgary. Other small airlines and communities from northern Alberta complained about these changes. The open discussions about the closing of passenger services at the Edmonton City Centre Airport led to a change when it was announced in July 2004 that passenger traffic from north of the province would continue, but not from southern locations.

This decision made some suggest that a court challenge would follow from those interested in continuing to have passenger service at the Edmonton City Centre Airport.

The ongoing controversy at Edmonton airports is one more indication of the overall changes that occurred during deregulation. It appears that the airline industry will grow and adapt as new solutions are found that will bring effective and affordable air travel to more passengers each year.