Once again, Regina’s airport welcomes you aboard

Things are taking off at Regina’s airport after a year of people being urged to avoid all unnecessary travel.

“We have seen a surprising and really incredible rebound in the past couple of weeks,” said James Bogusz, the president and CEO of the Regina Airport Authority.

“We’ve been trending here at the airport for most of the pandemic (at) around nine to 10 per cent (of pre-COVID passenger traffic for) an average. The last couple of weeks, we’ve been trending closer to 35 plus per cent. It’s been a huge difference. It actually feels like a busier airport now.”

Bogusz explained that seeing other provinces like Alberta and British Columbia loosening restrictions has made a big difference for people booking their travel plans, and he hopes the airport will be even more busy in the later months.

“We’re already beating the forecast that we thought we would have in July,” Bogusz said. “I would say if I look at the United States, which is our closest comparator, they’re trending on a daily average of over 75 per cent of pre-pandemic travel. That’s massive. Here in Canada, literally two weeks (were) into 35 per cent.

“So it’s hard to peg a date. But I would say that things if they continue this way — and we can follow suit of what we’re seeing in the United States — I hope in six or eight months, we won’t be pre-pandemic but will at least be hopefully over 50 per cent that will be a huge boon compared to where we’ve been in the past.”

After a long time apart, families are finally being reunited. That includes parents Tony and Blaine Chadwick, who hadn’t seen their daughter Donna Sharlow in over a year.

“(Donna) had bought plane tickets two years ago,” Tony Chadwick said. “Then COVID came up and she couldn’t get out here at all. So it’s been quite a while.”

The family relied on communicating through technology to keep in touch. But now, they were able to turn their virtual hugs into a real one.

“It’s very exciting,” Chadwick said. “She actually told us to wait in the truck and not to come into the terminal, but we came in anyway to see her when she comes down the stairs.”

After Sharlow walked down the arrival staircase, she was greeted by her parents with smiles, and a group hug.

“Thankfully I got to talk to them all the time,” Sharlow said. “But it’s very nice to finally be home after a year. Lots of friends to see and family to spend time with. It’s great, finally!”

“We missed her very much,” Blaine Chadwick said.

For Bogusz, this is one of many moments he looks forward to witnessing.

“(It’s) one of the things that’s really heartwarming. If you come to the airport, whether you’re picking up friends and family or you’re departing for a flight, I encourage you to spend a couple minutes at our arrivals area,” Bogusz said.

“You are literally seeing people who have clearly not been together probably since the beginning of the pandemic reuniting. There’s tears, there’s smiles, there’s hugs, there’s a lot of love. It’s really welcome. Having that reminds you of why we’re all doing this. And it’s been incredible.”

With restrictions lifting and relaxing in Canada, Bogusz reminds people to become familiar with the rules of other countries.

“If you’re travelling outside of the country make sure you understand what the rules are of the country you are entering,” Bogusz said. “You might need a COVID test, you might not. But either way, we’ve got you covered at YQR.”