Integra Air has announced a new service at the Canadian Rockies International Airport, with daily flights into Calgary.
With trips beginning on Jan. 4, 2016, the service will include round trips with two flights on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, while Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday will only have one round trip. One way flights begin at a flat rate of $199.
Brent Taylor, the Business Development Manager with Integra Air, says he believes there is a strong connection between Calgary and Cranbrook.
"I think the appeal is both for the Cranbrook and Kootenay-region communities to be able to fly to Calgary and beyond with a nice regular frequent schedule," Taylor said, "whether it's for family, personal for business, medical [reasons] as well as for Calgarians and region—there are lots of folks in the Calgary and Alberta area that have either a condo or a cottage or some sort of connection to this area."
The aircraft will be a Jetstream 3100, which will seat between 8-10 passengers with a single aisle and window seating. If there is enough demand for the service, a larger aircraft that has 16 seats will be introduced.
Integra is planning set up at the north end of the Canadian Rockies International Airport that Taylor believes will have advantages over existing carriers.
"I would say comparatively, with the alternative choices, you've got long lineups, security check-ins, so we'll be at the north end of the Canadian Rockies International Airport," Taylor said.
"You'll load from there. You'll fly in on the main airstrip of the airport, but you'll taxi into our own hanger and passenger lounge. You'll get off the plane and into a cab and away you go."
The service will include perks such as Wine and Cheese Wednesdays and Beer and Pizza Fridays and the aircraft also has a belly pod to accommodate golf clubs or skis.
"We're offering an alternative. I think that's one of the appeals for both communities is that we offer an alternative. We're not going to replace or go head-to-head with the others; we're not large enough and we're not offering that type of service.
"It's more home-town personal," Taylor said.
Flights can be booked by visiting www.integraair.com