Medicine Hat moves to restore scheduled air service

The City of Medicine Hat continues proactive efforts to restore scheduled commercial air service at the Medicine Hat Regional Airport (YXH), where WestJet ends its scheduled passenger service on June 24. Since the announcement, the City has focused efforts on securing a new carrier, and it is encouraged that the Government of Alberta is taking an active role in helping bring regional air service back.

The region generates about 705,000 air trips per year within 150 kilometres of Medicine Hat, and about 379,000 within 60 kilometres. In a recent survey, 94 per cent of more than 700 residents said local air service is important to them. In 2019, YXH served about 75,000 passengers a year with roughly 50 flights per week. The City is actively working to restore that passenger activity.

The stakes for the regional economy are significant. Local air service supported an estimated $16.7 million in annual regional GDP over a five-year period. Frequent and reliable connectivity is a deciding factor for businesses choosing where to invest and grow. The City has also invested more than $25 million in airport infrastructure upgrades since 2013 to support its diverse operations. The facility is well positioned and ready for service to return.

The province is supporting the process. The Government of Alberta has issued a Request for Expressions of Interest seeking carriers interested in providing scheduled regional air service, with submissions due July 6, 2026. Medicine Hat is exactly the kind of community the process is designed to serve, and the City is pursuing it actively as a ready, well-prepared partner.

The City is actively pursuing a carrier. The delivery of market materials to dozens of air carriers,  active conversations and meetings are underway, as is engagement of regional partners and other levels of governments. These efforts align with the recently adopted Airport Strategic Plan, which identifies air connectivity as a key priority for supporting economic vitality, regional competitiveness, and quality of life in Southeast Alberta. The City intends to make the most of the opportunity now in front of it.

“Medicine Hat is open for business, and air service is part of how we stay that way,” said Councillor Yusuf Mohammed, Chair of the Development and Infrastructure Committee. “The demand is here, our community has voiced their support, and we are ready get a new agreement in place. We are encouraged that the Province is throwing their support behind regional air service, and we are doing everything we can to make sure we are at the table and part of the solution.”

The City will continue to work with carriers and other levels of government to secure a sustainable air service for Medicine Hat and southeast Alberta, and is confident that scheduled service will be restored.

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