WestJet’s recent announcement that it will discontinue service between Calgary and Medicine Hat on June 24, 2026 has created significant concern for travelers, businesses, and the regional economy. After nearly 8 years of service, WestJet stated that the Calgary-Medicine Hat and Calgary-Lethbridge routes will end due to sustained low demand and challenges with route viability. The decision affects both WestJet Encore routes and triggers formal notice under the Canada Transportation Act.

What We Know About the Decision

In its February public notice, WestJet confirmed:

• The final YXH-YYC flight will operate June 24, 2026.
• Guests booked June 25 or later are being contacted for refunds.
• The airline emphasized that the decision does not reflect the support received from the community or local governments.
• Despite best efforts, WestJet concluded the route could not remain viable.

Despite the notice from WestJet, we know the City of Medicine Hat’s analysis indicates the Medicine Hat market is strong enough to support ongoing air service. Key demand indicators from the City show: 

• 379,000 annual trips generated within the primary 60km catchment area (including leaked demand to other airports).
• 75,000 passengers moved through the airport in 2019 at peak service levels.
• Post-pandemic recovery in 2025 reached roughly 35 percent, mirroring available seat supply at the time.
• Medicine Hat Regional Airport was one of Canada's fastest-growing airports by aircraft movements in 2025.

These numbers demonstrate that the issue is not a lack of demand, but a mismatch between the right airline model and the needs of the region.

Where We Go From Here: A New Opportunity

The City has already begun outreach to multiple carriers. Our Chamber continues its advocacy work with the Province and our provincial partners through the Alberta Chambers of Commerce. With a mandate to grow and strengthen regional airports, strong collaboration among municipalities, economic development partners, including the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce and our provincial network will be key in moving this priority forward.

Attracting a new carrier will take time due to fleet planning, staffing, scheduling, and network integration realities. However, Medicine Hat’s value proposition remains strong: affordability, quality of life, low taxes and utilities, and established strengths in aerospace, defense, agriculture, agrifood, and manufacturing. This is a moment for coordinated advocacy, grounded in data and aligned with long-term economic priorities.

How This Aligns with Our Previous Advocacy Work

In our earlier Advocacy Insights post, Strengthening Regional Air Service, we highlighted the critical importance of reliable air connectivity for:

• Business competitiveness
• Tourism attraction
• Workforce mobility
• Regional investment
• Health services and emergency access
  

We also outlined that addressing gaps in air service requires long-term strategic planning, coordinated regional advocacy, and partnerships with government and industry. The current situation reaffirms exactly why this work matters.

Our Policy Recommendations: A Blueprint for Action

The Chamber’s two active policies on regional air service remain directly relevant and provide clear direction to guide next steps.

In our policy, ‘Improvements to Regional Air Service’, our recommendations call for:

• A provincial strategy that recognizes the economic role of small regional airports.
• Incentives and regulatory flexibility to attract carriers to underserved markets.
• Investment in airport infrastructure that improves operational reliability and cost competitiveness.
• Stronger integration between regional airports and Alberta’s broader transportation and economic corridor strategy.
  

In our policy on Medicine Hat Air Service, we have specific recommendations for the City of Medicine Hat to:

• Establish sustainable, year-round air service between Medicine Hat and a major hub airport.
• Enhancing marketing and awareness of regional air travel options to reduce leakage to larger airports.
• Pursuing partnerships with carriers whose aircraft sizes, route structures, and business models align with Medicine Hat’s demand profile.
• Supporting the City and regional stakeholders in data-driven efforts to demonstrate route viability.
  

These policies were built for moments like this. They position our region to not only recover lost service but pursue improved, more reliable, and more appropriately matched air connectivity.

The Runway Ahead

The loss of WestJet service is a significant and immediate challenge, but it is also a catalyst for long-overdue modernization of regional air service strategy in Southeast Alberta and across the province. Our region is strong. Our demand is real. Our airport is growing.

And with the right carrier, Medicine Hat can secure air service that better reflects the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors. The Chamber will continue to work closely with the City, Province, carriers, and community partners to support this transition and advocate for reliable air connectivity that strengthens Southeast Alberta’s economic future.

If you would like updates or want to be part of our ongoing air service advocacy efforts, contact us anytime.