The recent announcement Air Canada is adding another daily flight between Penticton and Vancouver won't nullify the chance of WestJet introducing a regional carrier to the city.
In an email, Westjet's media relations department issued the following statement:
"We continue to evaluate the merits of each community based on a number of criteria - all of which focus on the needs of the community and its people. We know our regional carrier, WestJet Encore, will offer the same high value and low fares that Canadians have been looking for and asking for in their communities and Penticton is no exception."
Shortly before Christmas, Air Canada announced a fourth flight at Penticton Regional Airport.
The additional flight, expected to depart in the early afternoon, will begin in May.
At present, the airline provides three daily flights from Penticton to Vancouver Monday through Saturday with two flights on Sunday.
The City of Penticton has been actively courting the Calgary-based WestJet since the carrier announced in January its plans to add regional service for smaller Canadian communities.
Hundreds of people participated in a flash mob at Penticton Regional Airport in March and in June, city officials met with WestJet executives urging the airline to consider Penticton as a destination.
In May, the airline signed a letter of intent to purchase 20 Q400 aircraft from Bombardier, with an option to purchase a further 25 planes at a later date.
The email said WestJet will choose locations based on the need for service in the area but stopped short of offering specifics on when a decision would be made.
"When we announce the first cities to receive service in 2013 and focus our efforts on the next group of cities as we grow, those we select will reflect the need and the desire for WestJet service in the area."