Province ends subsidy for direct flights to L.A., Atlanta

Winnipeg Free Press

24-04-2025

Manitoba has no plans to continue subsidizing direct flights connecting Winnipeg to Hollywood and Atlanta.
The previous PC government created a unique fund in 2022 that incentivized the launch of local routes to and from Los Angeles and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the busiest air terminal in the world.
Finance Minister Adrien Sala told reporters Thursday the province had paid out $4.8 million and there won't be any top-ups.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS
Manitoba Finance Minister says the provincial government is focused on investing in home-grown tourism.
'We trust that the Winnipeg Airports Authority will continue to do their good work of managing their businesses and moving us forward,' Sala said at the legislature.
The provincial government is focused on investing in home-grown tourism, the minister said.
The commitment to improve non-stop connectivity to major international markets was widely endorsed by the local business community. Film-industry leaders had long advocated for direct trips to L.A., a key factor in attracting productions to Winnipeg.
WestJet began regular service between Winnipeg Richardson International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport in late 2022.
Atlanta — a global hub for WestJet partner Delta Air Lines — was added to the carrier's schedule the following year.
The airports authority was in charge of administering the fund when passenger counts did not meet certain thresholds to these destinations.
The chief executive officer of Manitoba Film and Music said it remains unclear whether there will be an impact, if any, on future flight schedules.
'We can only say at this point that we are grateful to the province for their support in bringing the direct flight from L.A. to Winnipeg, as it has had a positive impact on our ability to promote the film and television industry,' CEO and film commissioner Lynne Skromeda said in an email.
The route has brought more production to Manitoba since it launched, Skromeda said.
Wayne Ewasko, interim leader of the Progressive Conservatives, called the development both disappointing and confusing if the province wants to attract international visitors to spend money locally.
'We've got an international airport and we're trying to provide as much service as we possibly can to Manitobans,' Ewasko added.
Airlines have been revisiting their flight schedules between Canada and the U.S. in recent weeks as Canadians cancel trips south of the border due to rising political tensions and tariffs.
WestJet spokeswoman Jen Booth said the Calgary-based company is currently making adjustments to its trans-border routes ahead of the summer season.
The airline recently announced a new Winnipeg-to-St. John's route and increased the frequency of its flights between Winnipeg and Halifax.
Kerilee Falloon, acting director of communications at the Winnipeg Airports Authority, said there has not been a 'significant impact' on overall travel activity.
'That said, the situation is evolving, and we are prepared for potential route changes in the coming weeks and months ahead,' Falloon said, adding her employer is monitoring 'the ever-changing economic conditions related to tariffs.'
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Sala noted the overall reduction in air travel between Canada and the U.S. on Thursday.
'As it relates to travel, I will say this last budget did invest $4.5 million more in tourism because we want to encourage as many people as possible to visit our incredibly beautiful province,' he said.
Former premier Heather Stefanson, who brokered the funding agreement with the airports authority in 2022, currently sits on the WestJet Group's board of directors.
Her appointment was announced shortly after her party lost the last provincial election and she resigned from her seat in Tuxedo.
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