Hi - Since moving to Winnipeg in 2010, I have found it increasingly difficult to find either direct or reasonably priced flights to Europe and the rest of the world.
Last year, my sons flew back to England via Iceland Express and although they only ran a one stopover service during June July and August, the price of the return ticket was just 600 pounds sterling (about $950) and we found that 'OK'. (Incidentally, when we lived in Calgary we could get direct flights through Canadian Affair for as little as 300 pounds sterling inc tax (just under $500).
Iceland Express are no longer running the Winnipeg route because the company who ran the Iceland to Winnipeg trip went into liquidation.
I have searched the Internet for other flights (all of which stopover at least once in the US or Canada), but they are either way more expensive (some of them over $2000 per ticket ( once taxes are added on), or they entail having to fly back to Calgary or onto Toronto by Westjet and then catch the Canadian Affair flight costing 300 pounds or so. The Westjet flights are almost as much as the flights from Canada to the UK.
I have contacted the Airport Authority and they say they are trying their best to enhance their International flight service, trying to get airlines to offer a direct service where possible, but it really is up to the airlines. They wont offer flights unless they think there is a profitable market for this (of course).
I just wonder if there is anyone out there who is as desperate as I am to have better flight availability to and from Europe (and the rest of the world)??????? Surely there must be someone apart from me???!!!!!!
HELP!! I need people to reply to this so that I can write to the mayor and the Airport authority to prove that even just a summer service, even once a week would be worth pursuing.
Come on Winnipeg - you have a brand new airport. Let's put it to good use! Join the 21st century and offer better services and better prices. Mantiobas tourism would thrive too which can only be good news for us residents.
Thanks for reading