#myYQL

Lethbridge and area residents can get ready to fly Flair starting December 1, 2022. Flair Airlines, Canada's only independent, ultra-low-cost carrier will begin offering a direct, weekly flight from Lethbridge to Tucson, Arizona, enhancing the service available out of the YQL Airport.

"The City of Lethbridge has been proactively preparing the Airport for an opportunity just like this and we are thrilled to welcome Flair Airlines to southern Alberta," says Mayor Blaine Hyggen. "Several of the initiatives within our Council Action Plan are focused on moving the airport forward and this work aligns strongly with our strategic priorities of economic prosperity and supporting the region."

The City of Lethbridge recently invested $2.6 million in the airport to leverage an additional $23 million in Provincial and Federal grant funding for a variety of important enhancements. In addition, Council approved a new Airport Incentive Framework in early 2022 to help negotiate agreements for new routes.

"The Airport Incentive Framework was pivotal in securing the agreement with Flair," says City Councilor John Middleton Hope, who brought forward the resolution to Council. "By making that investment, we've been able to attract this successful, growing airline and we are proud that they have chosen Lethbridge as their next destination."

Flair has been providing ultra-low fare travel in Canada since 2017 and have brought affordable travel to 31 Canadian and North American destinations. A one-way flight, direct from Lethbridge to Tucson, is anticipated to cost approximately $125.

"We are happy to bring an affordable sun destination to Lethbridge Airport and we know it will be a welcome escape from the cold Alberta winter. Flair is pleased to have the opportunity to connect Lethbridge with Tucson and we look forward to welcoming passengers on board this winter," says Garth Lund, Chief Commercial Officer, Flair Airlines. "This long-term partnership means that we will be able to offer this service for years to come."

Despite the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lethbridge Airport has seen an increase in passenger movement in the last several months. On February 24, the City also announced the addition of Transit service to the Lethbridge Airport starting on May 4 making it even more accessible to residents and visitors.

"Council's leadership in prioritizing the airport as an economic hub has been vital in bringing this opportunity together, along with garnering key input from the Lethbridge community and region through our MyYQL survey," says Lisa Trent, Director of Commercial, Corporate and Customer Services. "What we've heard is that people are looking for a sun destination and Arizona ranks at the top of that list. I'm hopeful all of southern Alberta will embrace this new route and show Flair that this is a welcomed and desired service in our community."

The ease of using a small airport like YQL instead of accessing a major centre such as Calgary is attractive to many travelers and recent renovations at the YQL Airport have enhanced the passenger experience even more. Updates include a new baggage carousel, upgrades to the parking lot technology, upgrades to washroom facilities and new seating with technology charging capabilities.

What may be less visible to passengers but important to the safety and operations aspect of the airport will be the airfield and pavement rehabilitation updates. The planned upgrades include incorporating LED lighting to the airfield lighting system which saves on energy consumption and ongoing maintenance costs. All aspects are needed to attracted more airlines and larger aircraft to the region.

Join the conversation by taking the MyYQL survey and share your ideas on enhancements at the Lethbridge Airport.

About Tucson, Arizona

• Second largest city in Arizona with a population of 542,629

• Home to the University of Arizona

• Tucson was the first American city to be designated a "City of Gastronomy" by UNESCO. This means they are internationally recognized for their food and culture, with a particular focus on gourmet cuisine.

• Located in southern Arizona, Tucson is just 1hr and 44mins southeast of the State's largest city, Phoenix and one hour from the Mexican border.

• According to Visit Tucson, the city enjoys 350+ days of sunshine a year, making Tucson is one of the sunniest cities in the United States!

• The annual average temperature in Tucson is approximately 30 degrees Celsius.

• Tucson boasts some great outdoor activities including hiking, biking, horseback riding, bird watching, cave exploring and rock climbing.

Media Contact:

City of Lethbridge
media@lethbridge.ca

Flair Airlines
Jamina Kotak
780.887.9209
Jamina.kotak@flyflair.com

Encouraging continued growth of passenger traffic, improving the net operating margin and negotiating agreements for establishing new routes to and from the Lethbridge Airport are the primary goals of the new Airport Incentive Framework.

Lethbridge City Council on Tuesday voted 7-2 to endorse this framework and to approve the City Manager or designate to discuss potential agreements with airlines regarding future options for passengers flying in and out of Lethbridge.

As part of the resolution, Council also approved the creation of an initial fund, not to exceed $1 million, to facilitate negotiations with any interested parties. The work is to be funded through the Municipal Revenue Stabilization Reserve (MRSR).

"The approval of this framework touches on several key items outlined in Council's Action Plan for 2022, says Mayor Blaine Hyggen. "This includes the airport performance and governance evolution which will help us achieve the strategic goal of economic prosperity, so Council is thrilled to support of this incentive framework."

In August 2021, the previous City Council voted to keep managing the Lethbridge Airport as a City department with current management and contract services until the key triggers, as outlined in the business plan of the two consecutive years, of $500,000 net operating margin and 150,000 annual passengers are achieved. This governance structure will be reviewed every two years at the Economic Standing Policy Committee.

"Having City Council's leadership and support is essential as we have further conversations with airlines about the importance of future travel options at the Lethbridge Airport and positioning it as a regional hub," says Lisa Trent, Director of Corporate and Customer Services. "Since acquiring the airport in 2018, the City's goal has been to enhance and expand operations. Despite ongoing challenges with the pandemic, we are making great strides towards our goals."

This new Airport Incentive Framework is geared toward building on the City's $2.6 million investment, which was used to leverage an additional $23 million in Provincial and Federal grant funding, for a variety of critical infrastructure projects. Those projects are focused on increasing passenger traffic, revenue diversification through land development and fire safety – all to position the airport for pandemic recovery and future growth.

Further airfield and pavement rehabilitation upgrades include incorporating LED lighting to the airfield lighting system which will save on energy consumption and ongoing maintenance costs. All aspects are needed to attracted more airlines and larger aircraft to the region.

"When Council toured the airport renovations late last year, we were all encouraged by the progress that has already been achieved," says Councillor John Middleton-Hope, who introduced the motion to Council. "Tuesday's endorsement for the incentive framework is focused on continuing to bring further value to the airport moving forward."

Despite the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lethbridge Airport saw a 228 per cent increase in passenger movements in Q3 of 2021 when compared to the same period in 2020.

Further information on the new Airport Incentive Framework process will now be developed and shared with prospective partners going forward.

As flight traffic continues to rise at the Lethbridge Airport, the City of Lethbridge is excited to see renovations almost completed ahead of the grand opening set for the New Year.

After investing $2.6 million into the airport, the City has leveraged an additional $23 million in Provincial and Federal grant funding for a variety of critical infrastructure projects. Those projects are focused on increasing passenger traffic, revenue diversification through land development, fire safety, and more – all to position the airport for pandemic recovery and future growth.

"The airport is key in the continued growth of our economy," says Mayor, Blaine Hyggen. "The investment we've put into our airport also positions our city and region in a competitive place for business attraction and retention for years to come."

Most noticeably, the passenger experience has been elevated as the terminal building has undergone a significant renovation. The expansion of the holdroom will allow for increased passenger numbers with additional airlines and/or larger aircraft being accommodated. Other updates include a new baggage carousel, upgrades to the parking lot technology, upgrades to washroom facilities and new seating with technology charging capabilities.

What may be less visible to passengers but important to the safety and operations aspect of the airport will be the airfield and pavement rehabilitation updates. The planned upgrades include incorporating LED lighting to the airfield lighting system which saves on energy consumption and ongoing maintenance costs. All aspects are needed to attracted more airlines and larger aircraft to the region.

"Our plan is to focus on increasing passenger traffic and revenue diversification through land development," says Director of Corporate and Customer Services, Lisa Trent. "The City manages several leases at the airport that net approximately $580,000 in annual revenue. With an additional 900 acres of land primed for development, we could leverage that to provide upwards of $10 million annually in lease revenue and an additional $10 million in tax revenue."

The Lethbridge Airport has seen a 228 per cent increase in passenger movements in Q3 when compared to the same period in 2020. The grand opening of the newly renovated Lethbridge Airport is slated for late January in 2022.