WestJet to fly direct from Saskatoon to Minneapolis starting in June

Direct flights to Minneapolis will return to Saskatoon in just a few months.

In 2020, Delta Airlines officially suspended its Saskatoon to Minneapolis flights in an attempt to reduce its services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The airline’s original plan was to try and get that direct route back by 2023.

According to the Saskatoon Airport Authority, around 400 people were travelling to and from the U.S. from Saskatoon each day in 2019, and about 128 of them were heading to Minneapolis. Nearly 20 per cent of those travellers were staying in Minneapolis, and about 80 per cent would catch connecting flights to other destinations.

After the three-year absence, WestJet is now getting ready to fill that passenger demand.

According to the airline’s flight booking site, direct flights from Saskatoon to Minneapolis will be available three times a week beginning June 19.

The company will use its Boeing 737-800 planes on the route, which have a 174 seat capacity.

Economy flights begin at $192, with return flights starting at $146.

CJ Dushinski, vice-president of business development for the Saskatoon airport, said more details on the direct flights will be released on Friday.

According to Jason Aebig, CEO of the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce, the news will be well-received by the business community.

“I think there’s great relief and excitement,” Aebig said.

“There’s tremendous optimism that comes with this kind of announcement, especially after a string of announcements and news around air service that hasn’t been particularly positive.”

Aebig said the flights will open up more opportunities for Saskatoon businesses and tourism, and will also create a pathway for U.S. travellers to directly access Saskatchewan for both business and leisure.

He said the decision was likely years in the making.

“It’s certainly a credit to our airport authority, and our civic and provincial leaders, for negotiating it back,” he added.

–Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include comments from Jason Aebig.