While U.S. travel saw some slumps during the ongoing trade war, Edmontonians’ desire for flying south doesn’t appear to be dampened. At the Edmonton International Airport, Porter Airlines recently announced two new U.S. destinations – Phoenix, Ariz. and Las Vegas, Nev. – to begin this month. Last month, Air Canada said it would be connecting Edmonton with New York City with a new direct to Newark flight starting in summer. Travel agent Hidar Elmeis of Travel Gurus said he saw a definite increase in U.S. travellers over the summer. “What we call ‘friendly’ U.S. destinations are definitely bigger growth for us, like California and New York State,” Elmeis said. “People, I think, miss the U.S. a little bit and still want to get over there.” However, the travel agent added that Edmontonians who “love to chase the sun,” are also flocking to tropical destinations like Mexico and Jamaica. “I think Jamaica is going to be the hottest thing this year,” Elmeis said. “It’s one of the most amazing Caribbean islands out there, and we have the privilege to have two direct flights out of Edmonton for it.” James Jackson, vice president of air service and business development at Edmonton International Airport (YEG), said airlines follow appetites for travel and Edmontonians are hungry. “Demand for some destinations, including the U.S., but primarily south of the U.S., have increased,” Jackson said. “That’s indicative of the routes now that we have flying into Mexico and across the Caribbean.” Porter Airlines launched its new direct route to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, on Tuesday with a packed plane. “They’ve responded well to the routes that we have offered up until this point, and our first flight is almost full,” said Eghtedar Nanouchehri, Porter Airlines’ airport operations vice president. “That’s validating.” Jackson said YEG has added 11 new routes this year, including Discovery Airline’s luxury lay-down direct flights to Frankfurt, Germany. “I think that’s indicative of the demand that Edmontonians and Albertans have to travel,” he added. With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Curtis Goodrum
