Atlantic Canada airport thread

[nwalbert]

Originally Posted by sailor734

No surprise about the Bathurst service. I think a daily return service to Montreal is about the only thing that could be supported there.

As to SJ-HFX, Only time will tell if it can support a 37 seat aircraft on a route that used to be served by a 19 passenger Beech.

Yes it was previously served by a Beechcraft, but pre-Covid it was 4x daily so now at 2x daily it seems to be about the same passenger numbers.

I have used it twice now and it has been excellent, I am hopeful that it continues to be successful.

[sailor734]

I've read that the average passenger load on the Bathurst flights was 1.65 passengers per flight. You really have to wonder about competence of Pascan's management that they thought this a good idea. How did they get the market research so very wrong? ............or was it their product?

[nwalbert]

Originally Posted by sailor734

I've read that the average passenger load on the Bathurst flights was 1.65 passengers per flight. You really have to wonder about competence of Pascan's management that they thought this a good idea. How did they get the market research so very wrong? ............or was it their product?

Curious where you saw this?

[sailor734]

From this TJ article....https://tj.news/northern-new-brunswick/s...axed-due-to-little-interest-says-company

Pascan says that with so few people taking advantage of the twice-daily weekday flights – an average of 1.65 people per 30-seat plane – there was little choice but to cancel the route, at least for the short term.

“While we are encouraged by the response and growth on the Saint John-Halifax route, we have seen very little interest from the flying public in the Bathurst route so far,” Pascan President and CEO Julian Robert said in an emailed statement Thursday.

[MonctonRad]

I doubt there would be much natural traffic from Bathurst to SJ. Bathurst would have more affinity to Moncton (on both the anglophone and francophone sides). Even then, I doubt a Bathurst/Moncton air route would be profitable. A better investment would be in a daily regional rail service.

I think the only interest in this Pascan service would have been in onward traffic to Halifax to allow for connections to other destinations. Even then, I think a Bathurst/Montreal route would make more sense.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I doubt there would be much natural traffic from Bathurst to SJ. Bathurst would have more affinity to Moncton (on both the anglophone and francophone sides). Even then, I doubt a Bathurst/Moncton air route would be profitable. A better investment would be in a daily regional rail service.

I think the only interest in this Pascan service would have been in onward traffic to Halifax to allow for connections to other destinations. Even then, I think a Bathurst/Montreal route would make more sense.

I'm still surprised Pascan didn't make some kind of code share or interline agreement with Porter. Flying passengers into Montreal (YHU) and perhaps Halifax from smaller eastern cities would seem to be a no brainer if they could easily connect onwards. YHU is already Pascan's Montreal base and with the new Porter terminal.........

As to regional rail....I just can't see it ever being practical without huge capital investments and significant ongoing subsidies. Even then I just don't see there ever being the passenger load to make it viable.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by sailor734

As to regional rail....I just can't see it ever being practical without huge capital investments and significant ongoing subsidies. Even then I just don't see there ever being the passenger load to make it viable.

I believe I read somewhere that the most heavily travelled segment for local traffic on The Ocean is the section between Moncton and Campbellton. Otherwise passengers on the Halifax/Montreal route mostly reflect through traffic.

I think if nurtured and promoted, a reliable daily service on this route could make sense. Of course, there would need to be heavy infrastructure investment (especially on the Bathurst sub), but, I think this will be coming anyway in our decreased carbon future.

[sailor734]

Well, I suppose it is possible but wouldn't it take huge investment in track upgrades. Who wants to take intercity transportation that moves at 30 MPH?

https://transportactionatlantic.ca/another-setback-for-via-rails-ocean/

A friend of my parents was an engineer on this Montreal run back in the 50's/60's I can remember him telling stories of hitting 90+ through parts of northern NB late at night. (long before the days of transponders and onboard data recorders )

I can't help but think that government support of a quality intercity bus service (including express runs) wouldn't be more financially palatable.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by sailor734

I can't help but think that government support of a quality intercity bus service (including express runs) wouldn't be more financially palatable.

Cheaper absolutely, but, also more dangerous (on non divided highways), especially in the wintertime, and, potentially less reliable due to weather delays (again in the winter).

I am biased however as I am a rail fan. There should be daily return service (in both directions) between Moncton and SJ. The Ocean should be daily, in both directions (rather than 3x weekly). I think a service from Edmundston/Grand Falls to Moncton also should be considered. There used to be a train on that line. I used to take it to visit my sister when she and he husband lived in Centerville. This is also the route I travelled when we wwnt to Expo 67 in Montreal. This is the CNR mainline and needs no upgrades (except for perhaps some additional sidings).

Regional rail will need a resurgence in our decarbonized future.

[magee_b]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I doubt there would be much natural traffic from Bathurst to SJ. Bathurst would have more affinity to Moncton (on both the anglophone and francophone sides). Even then, I doubt a Bathurst/Moncton air route would be profitable. A better investment would be in a daily regional rail service.

I think the only interest in this Pascan service would have been in onward traffic to Halifax to allow for connections to other destinations. Even then, I think a Bathurst/Montreal route would make more sense.

I believe it was marketed as a service to Halifax - one stop in YSJ on the way. But yes, a one-stop in Moncton may have naturally filled a few more seats on the way.

I believe they were rotating the plane into the maritimes on for the week on Monday morning, and then flying back to base at YHU from Bathurst on Friday evenings - but the plane would base for the week at Bathurst. This strategy seems to have shifted now that they are doing both YSJ and YQY, as the plane is now overnighting in Sydney.

YQY - YHZ: 7:00 - 7:45

YHZ - YSJ: 8:15 - 8:50
YSJ - YHZ: 9:15 - 9:50

YHZ - YQY: 13:30 - 14:15
YQY - YHZ: 15:00 - 15:45

YHZ - YSJ: 18:15 - 18:45
YSJ - YHZ: 19:15 - 19:45

YHZ - YQY: 20:30 - 21:15

Lots of room in the schedule to add another rotation to another destination if needed - though may need extra crew for that

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by magee_b

This strategy seems to have shifted now that they are doing both YSJ and YQY, as the plane is now overnighting in Sydney.

This makes a lot more sense!

[J81]

Originally Posted by sailor734

No surprise about the Bathurst service. I think a daily return service to Montreal is about the only thing that could be supported there.

As to SJ-HFX, Only time will tell if it can support a 37 seat aircraft on a route that used to be served by a 19 passenger Beech.

The 19 seat beech flew 3-4 roundtrips per day though as opposed to double daily.

[new kid in town]

Retail Talk saying Moncton had strongest summer on record.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by new kid in town

Retail Talk saying Moncton had strongest summer on record.

Indeed:

According to its third-quarter update, YQM welcomed 210,663 passengers between June and August. It’s an increase of 50,532 passengers compared to last summer.

That's an increase of 31% over the previous year.

I'm hoping for year end totals nearing 700,000 PAX.

The more people using the airport, the more likely it becomes that we will see additional flights to handle demand, and, hopefully, more destinations.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Indeed:



That's an increase of 31% over the previous year.

I'm hoping for year end totals nearing 700,000 PAX.

The more people using the airport, the more likely it becomes that we will see additional flights to handle demand, and, hopefully, more destinations.

Are there any concrete plans for terminal expansion or just long term proposals?

The nature of the travel out of Moncton makes it tough to "right size" the terminal I would expect. A flurry of flights all departing at virtually the same time followed by periods of zero activity.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by sailor734

Are there any concrete plans for terminal expansion or just long term proposals?

They have schematics for expansion, but, no actual concrete plans. These include adding another gate, and putting arrivals and departures on different level.

Originally Posted by sailor734

The nature of the travel out of Moncton makes it tough to "right size" the terminal I would expect. A flurry of flights all departing at virtually the same time followed by periods of zero activity.

Very true, and this is extremely frustrating. The busiest time at the airport is 0530-0830 hrs. There is a stretch in the afternoon where the terminal is dead. In the morning however, the waiting area is packed.

[sailor734]

Very true. my daughter waited over an hour in the security line there recently. That's longer than I have ever experienced flying from Pearson or major US airports.

[CharlotteCountyLogan]

I've got a flight booked from Fredericton to Ottawa in January and I've never flown in Canada before I'm just wondering what's it like flying in Canada and how are the airports in Fredericton and Ottawa.

[bridgeoftea]

Originally Posted by CharlotteCountyLogan

I've got a flight booked from Fredericton to Ottawa in January and I've never flown in Canada before I'm just wondering what's it like flying in Canada and how are the airports in Fredericton and Ottawa.

Can't speak for Ottawa's airport. But Fredericton's is a small generic Canadian city airport. Usually only 1 security belt going at a time. 4 gates served by a big room waiting area and overpriced snacks and drinks.

[Arrdeeharharharbour]

Originally Posted by CharlotteCountyLogan

I've got a flight booked from Fredericton to Ottawa in January and I've never flown in Canada before I'm just wondering what's it like flying in Canada and how are the airports in Fredericton and Ottawa.

Don't forget to take your passport, don't pack any liquids, and try not to be one of those rude people who line up prior to their boarding number being called.