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Saskatchewan’s capital gets 1st year-round route to US since 2016

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Saskatchewan, Canada, known for its rolling grasslands, forests and wheat fields, is getting another year-round route to the U.S.

Canadian carrier WestJet is launching year-round, nonstop flights from Regina International Airport (YQR) to Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) as part of its summer 2024 schedule.

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Flights begin April 28, with WestJet’s regional subsidiary offering one daily round-trip flight on a De Havilland Dash 8 Q400 turboprop aircraft.

The Canadian carrier also started flying between Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport (YXE), the largest city in the province, and MSP in June.

WestJet operates several seasonal flights to the U.S. and Mexico from YQR, but this is the first time since 2016 that the small Canadian airport will have a year-round route to the U.S.

James Bogusz, the president and CEO of Regina International Airport, said “the number one thing” he heard in Regina was that travelers wanted a year-round, nonstop route to the U.S.

“We haven’t stopped working with WestJet since then, and we are thrilled that they have delivered on this for the community,” Bogusz said in a statement.

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MSP is also a major hub for Delta Air Lines, which has a codeshare with WestJet, meaning that flyers for both airlines would be able to reap the benefits of the new route.

Jared Mikoch-Gerke, WestJet’s director of alliances and airport affairs, said the new route reinforces WestJet’s commitment to Regina, Saskatchewan’s capital.

“Our newest investment in Regina will further support the economic growth of the region and unlock business and leisure travel opportunities, as we accelerate providing affordable travel to our guests,” he said in a statement.

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