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Smiles and cheers filled Regina International Airport on Friday as passengers boarded the inaugural flight to Denver.
The flight between the two cities has officially returned after a nearly decade-long hiatus.
At the gate on Friday morning, balloons, cake, and officials with tourism, the city, province, economic development, and United Airlines greeted the first passengers.
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Nearly 50 passengers boarded the United Airlines plane bound for Denver on May 15, 2025. (Abby Zieverink/980 CJME)
Several passengers said they were very excited to have a direct flight to Denver, as it shaves several hours off their travel time. Others said they are happy the flight offers more options to make travel easier to other countries and cities.
Not only were there Saskatchewan passengers on the plane, but also some Americans who work in Regina.
American Jyoti Bhardwag said he is happy to have a direct flight that makes it easier for him to travel to Saskatchewan. (Abby Zieverink/980 CJME)
Jyoti Bhardwag is a business worker from the U.S. He was boarding the flight to Denver and said he was eager to have the direct flight back home.
“It worked out pretty good; this was a long flight when I came here. I was coming from Vancouver to here, so it is about seven hours from Chicago. But this is exciting because of the direct flight to Denver now.”
He said he spent the last couple of days in Regina and enjoyed it.
“It’s a very beautiful place, I like it. It is small, not that congested like Chicago is. It’s very open, very nice.”
American Caleb Ursell said he comes to Regina for work a handful of times every year. (Abby Zieverink/980 CJME)
American Caleb Ursell said the direct flight allows him to save a lot of time on trips between Saskatchewan and Texas.
“It’s saving me seven hours on the way back. I’m headed over to San Antonio, Texas, so come up here about four or five times a year for work and normally it’s about 13 hours to get up here and it kind of just cut it right down.”
Regina Airport CEO James Bogusz said the first flight to Denver was almost full, with only one seat left empty. (Abby Zieverink/980 CJME)
Regina Airport CEO James Bogusz said they have had an exceptional start to the flight.
“The plane is nearly full. In fact, this morning, I tried to see how many seats were left on the website. I could only find one available seat for sale. So we’re talking about a near full flight on its first day. This is beyond any expectation I would have had, given the climate we have right now with the U.S.”
Bogusz said the aircraft going between Denver and Regina is a 50-seat regional jet. He said it’s the right size of the plane for our market but with it being a non-stop daily flight, he said they are not certain it will always be full.
“I have no expectation, like any flight at YQR, that they’ll always be full,” he said.
“Our average loads on flights in Regina are typically 78 to 82 per cent so we’re hoping in time this will average about 4/5 full — which means around 40 people on the flight would be what we hope will be a future average.”
“But seeing it today at a near full state on its inaugural launch. It beats all of my expectations.”
United Airlines’ Manny Prieto was in Regina for the very first time on Friday, and said he has fallen in love with the City, and the people. (Abby Zieverink/980 CJME)
United Airlines Managing Director for the Americas Free Airport Operations, Manny Prieto said Friday was a successful turnout for the flight launch.
“It’s nearly full inbound and outbound, so that’s excellent. A lot of new markets don’t open that way. So that’s a very positive indication of how well this market is going to do.”
Prieto said he thinks a lot of Americans will want to come to visit Regina.
“Honestly, I think it’s a wonderful city. This is my first opportunity to be here, and I really fell in love with your town and your people. Your hospitality is just incredible. I can’t thank you all enough for everything. So I’m sure that once more news gets out, you’ll receive more tourism out this way as well.”
Communications, Service Regina & Tourism manager for City of Regina, Jennifer Johnson, said the flight is very exciting for the city, especially with their bids to host various events.
“This flight means just more people from around North America can get here more easily. So it makes us more successful in those bids and attracting events like that is great for the economy.”
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