Our soaring valentine

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/02/2012 (5327 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A milestone of sorts was passed yesterday as more than 5,000 people had signed their support to regular airline service in Brandon.

And that doesn’t include the names collected on a paper version of the petition at the Economic Development Brandon office.

Also, while in town yesterday to officially open the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba’s new Brandon office, Premier Greg Selinger gave his endorsement to the city’s quest for the return of commercial air service.

The city also sent WestJet an electronic Valentine’s Day card yesterday that stated:

Dear WestJet,

In our hearts, you soar above the rest.

Yours truly,

Brandon.

That card was widely passed around on Facebook and Twitter.

Air service to Brandon is a crucial component in the future success of this entire region.

And to be clear: we’re not talking about a jump to Winnipeg. We’re hoping to be included on a cross-Canada route that could see smaller planes that depart from here ending up in Calgary or Toronto.

It would not just provide convenience for local vacationers, but a much-needed connection to the outside world for the business community.

As such, the Brandon Sun is also planning to help draw attention to the online petition with ads in this week’s print edition. We’ve also created a quick link — bdnsun.ca/westjet — you’ll see used on our website at brandonsun.com.

So far, about half of the signatures are from residents of Brandon, with others from Westman, across Canada and the world.

The timing of this petition drive is key.

A lot of work has already gone on behind the scenes, with officials preparing the pitch to WestJet.

As for folks who wonder about the costs of renovations to the Brandon airport — also known as McGill Field — there have already been several upgrades made in recent years.

All that would be needed would be some improvements to the terminal and perhaps some facilities to park aircraft overnight.

However, let’s get WestJet interested in Brandon first before we work too hard in finding reasons to kill the initiative.

We’re already on their radar. WestJet has mentioned Brandon as a possible destination — along with 17 other small cities in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec — as they begin planning the launch of a new short-haul carrier.

The airline announced those plans last month, but said it would first seek support for the plan from its employees. No worries there: after a vote, it appears employees strongly believe that a new carrier, to serve smaller Canadian destinations, has the potential to really take off.

According to Postmedia News, some 91 per cent of WestJet employees voted in favour of the plan. WestJet says it expects to use about 40 turboprop aircraft, and they’ll fly to smaller destinations than its current fleet can economically service.

The City of Brandon launched its petition the same day those vote results were reported.

The petition suggests that those people who “regularly fly for business, board and committee work, event attendance or leisure travel” add their name to the online document.

We at the Sun have long been in favour of a return of commercial air travel to McGill Field. We heartily endorse this online petition.

And we invite all western Manitoba residents to sign on as soon as possible.