Quote:
Originally Posted by zahav
For example, on an average Friday in the summer (I chose July 19), from YYZ, AC has 37 intra-Ontario flights to 7 destinations, most on DH4 or similar capacity. The exception being 12/37 are mainline flights to Ottawa, so outside of this the numbers are quite low.
From YVR, they have 45 intra-BC flights to 13 destinations. And it's not dominated by a single major route (ie. YYZ-YOW), there lots of 5+ daily routes like Victoria, Terrace, Kelowna, and many 3-4 daily.
For YUL, they only have 9 intra-Quebec flights, and 5 destinations. Quebec City 5x daily Rouge, and then the other four destinations each one daily. By far the least extensive, basically a YUL-YQB connection, and then the bare minimum 1x daily DH4 on the other four.
Again, this isn't a matter of accomplishment or fault, simply a snapshot of the unique circumstances of AC's 3 main hubs. Geography, history, economics all play a part in regional air connectivity. Arguably YUL has prospered more because there is such a lack of regional travel, it boosts international numbers. They are vastly over-achieving in AC's international network, but not regional. So it's not a trophy prize to have the most regional links, just an interesting delve into what it says about the province's development.
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Pretty good analysis. When AC go rid of their Dash 8-100s and 300s, that spelled the end for a lot of regional routes and/or frequencies out in the east.
I will say however, that AC has more regional partners out east. They interline with PAL, Air Creebec and Pascan, all of which have extensive regional networks in Quebec, the maritimes and/or NL. Granted, Pascan no longer flies out of YUL, so the interline is of limited use, but it still serves the Montreal market through YHU.
Out west, AC only has Central Mountain Air as an interline partner.
One other thing to remember, is that out east, especially Quebec, you have several Inuit/Cree based airlines that provide regional connectivity. Air Inuit is a pretty big outfit in Quebec, and connects Nunavik (northern Quebec) not only internally, but also with YUL and YQB. Canadian North partly accomplishes that role as well, with its YUL-YVP runs. I've already mentioned Air Creebec, another big regional player in Quebec.
So when you factor in all of these regional players, I think things balance out a bit more. BC does have Pacific Coastal, but that's about it. Canadian North, or another Inuit or Cree based airline doesn't fly to BC at all. Like you said, geography helps explain a lot of it, as BC doesn't have Inuit or Cree land or peoples.