Air Travel Info Sought as City Officials Prepare for WestJet Meeting

Brandon, MB – As diligent preparations continue for a meeting later this month with WestJet officials, the City of Brandon is reaching out to southwestern Manitoba business and leisure air travellers to participate in a survey that will help it augment the business case for regional air service.

A Brandon team will fly to Calgary later this month to meet with WestJet officials. WestJet is currently evaluating possible expansion markets for its new regional air service, which it has said will be rolled out in 2013.

Brandon’s Director of Economic Development Sandy Trudel says an important part of their presentation will be showing WestJet that there is a strong, multi-use market in the Brandon area.

“With in excess of 10,000 signatures, response to our online petition for air service was tremendous and left no doubt as to the demand for air service in the southwest Manitoba region,” Trudel said. “Now, we need the same level of enthusiasm to carry forward into providing information on travel destinations and frequency of travel. This information will be vital to preparing a solid business case for air service.”

The survey, which can be found at www.brandon.ca/air-travel-survey, is a quick, four-minute or less undertaking which allows a person to respond to the questions from either a business or individual perspective, or both if it is applicable to them.

For those who do not have access to online services, the survey can also be filled out over the phone by staff in the Economic Development Office by calling 729-2132.

Since its launch in April, approximately 450 survey responses have been collected so far, with the vast majority of them coming from leisure travellers.

As there are reportedly dozens of other delegations making their respective pitch for WestJet Air Service, Brandon will be focusing on presenting factual information that demonstrates a strong business case for regional air service, Trudel said.

“The clock is ticking with just over two weeks until we present to WestJet. We need Westman to do what it does so well, and that is to pull together to provide the information which will set Brandon apart from all the rest.”

The Brandon delegation is scheduled to visit Calgary on June 27th and 28th.