With change there is often controversy, and the roles that have
been given to each of the airports in Edmonton have caused
arguments.
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.
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