Your airport in Castlegar is "serviced" by Air Canada, with three daily flights from Vancouver.
In winter most of these flights offered are canceled daily. We tried for three days to get to your airport during Christmas season to spend valuable time with family and two excited grandchildren.
We have asked Air Canada by email why they offer a product they cannot deliver in winter time. No reply so far.
Do you have stats on the number of flights canceled each year and what it is at Castlegar airport that makes flying in and out impossible?
You must have very many unhappy, stranded visitors in your region that will tell all their friends and family not to bother coming to your town by air. Not good for tourism and business, I know.
Please explain to many of us why this is happening.
Regards
Carla Rich,
B.C. Lower Mainland
Ed. note
This is a situation all-too-familiar here in the city with the unfortunate nickname "Cancelgar."
To simplify things, it's a basic issue involving terrain, weather and visibility. New software is apparently available which can greatly increase the capability of planes to get in and out of West Kootenay Regional Airport, and the City of Castlegar has made the offer of some $300,000 toward buying it as part of its June 2012 pitch for WestJet service. This would make travel to and from Castlegar more predictable and reliable.
We await word on whether WestJet will choose to service Castlegar and area. It may be forthcoming as early as January, 2013.