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Staff at the Regina airport said Monday they were ready to welcome a Boeing 787 and 230 people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
The flight departed from Warsaw, Poland and is expected to arrive in the Queen City at 7:30 p.m.
Regina Airport Authority president and CEO James Bogusz said the airport and other partners involved had to move mountains to make this happen.
“This has been a massive operation and undertaking. We’ve got a 787 Boeing aircraft. This is a massive airplane that never frequents cities like Regina or Saskatoon,” Bogusz explained. “It’s coming non-stop from Warsaw, Poland directly to YQR. It is the first time in history we’ve had this type of flight.
“We’ve got partners involved such as ATS, which is a terminal services company to provide ground handling. Air Canada has stepped up and provided specialized airstairs as well as handling staff for the operation. There is a local company called Cargojet who is helping load and unload cargo.”
Bogusz mentioned Canada Border Services agents will also be working well into the night to ensure those on board get into the country safely. They also will be making extra room inside the airport to accommodate all of the bags people will be bringing.
“I’ve heard well over 600 bags,” Bogusz said. “We’re even closing off a section of our terminal just to be able to process the quantity of bags. I’ve even heard there are some animals too. It’s a big day here and also very humbling.”
While a lot of work has gone into getting everyone here, Bogusz says it has been well worth it.
“It’s just such a big community effort,” he said. “What I appreciate is when we knock on someone’s door and ask, ‘Can you help us?’ they respond with, ‘How can we help?’
“That’s been an incredible Saskatchewan response and I really am proud to be part of this, but more proud about the agencies coming together on this file.”
Once all of the paperwork is done, the Ukrainians will be taken to a unspecified location and housed so they can settle into their new home.
