Atlantic Canada airport thread

[Fischbob]

Originally Posted by OliverD

Downtown Montreal?

Montreal Metropolitan Airport and YUL are pretty much equidistant to downtown.

Not only is YHU not downtown, it's on the other side of the St. Lawrence River! Very odd messaging here.

I'm assuming this is more or less confirmation that we shouldn't expect Porter to return to YSJ anytime soon.

Flights to Montreal are already loaded in Pascan's online booking system - one-way airfares currently starting at $335 for the dates I checked in Jan-Feb. Steep, yes, but only about $20 higher than Air Canada's non-seat-sale prices at the moment...

As for the (reduced) service to Halifax, one-way airfares in Jan-Feb are sitting at around $225.

[J81]

Pascan has tried to make scheduled services in the maritimes work before and failed miserably and this time will be no different.

[dhottawa729]

Originally Posted by J81

Pascan has tried to make scheduled services in the maritimes work before and failed miserably and this time will be no different.

We should be more optimistic. I think offering a unique service is what could help them stand out- either routes that the big airlines don’t serve, or as more of a “sky bus” service taking advantage of their small planes which are super quick to board and alight, meaning minimal time on the ground. If there aren’t enough passengers to fill legs between small cities, make them part of a route that starts and ends at bigger cities where people can hop-on/hop-off or go the full length hassle-free. Example: Halifax>SJ>Bathurst>Quebec City>Montreal YHU.

Just run that route back and forth all day long, then maybe add another plane with an offset schedule.

This is the next best thing to a Direct flight for business travellers because you can stay in your seat and continue working the entire time. It also saves us all hundreds of kilometres of driving.

Build or expand on this idea and offer suggestions to address your concerns; don’t just shoot it down. 150 word max.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by dhottawa729

We should be more optimistic. I think offering a unique service is what could help them stand out- either routes that the big airlines don’t serve, or as more of a “sky bus” service taking advantage of their small planes which are super quick to board and alight, meaning minimal time on the ground. If there aren’t enough passengers to fill legs between small cities, make them part of a route that starts and ends at bigger cities where people can hop-on/hop-off or go the full length hassle-free. Example: Halifax>SJ>Bathurst>Quebec City>Montreal YHU.

Just run that route back and forth all day long, then maybe add another plane with an offset schedule.

This is the next best thing to a Direct flight for business travellers because you can stay in your seat and continue working the entire time. It also saves us all hundreds of kilometres of driving.

Build or expand on this idea and offer suggestions to address your concerns; don’t just shoot it down. 150 word max.

Firstly, unless Montreal is your final destination flying into YHU makes no sense on any airline other than Porter. (unless Pascan establishes a interline or codeshare agreement with Porter once the new terminal is open)

Secondly, I'd drive to Moncton and get a direct flight before I'd take a milk run like you describe.

It would be interesting to know how much of the current YSJ-YUL traffic has Montreal as their final destination and how much is connecting onwards to the ROC, the US or overseas. I would think people making onward connections would be the majority. AFAIK there are no plans to put a US Customs preclearance at YHU (I don't believe there is any space or provision for such a facility in the new terminal design or provision for CBSA services) so that precludes Porter serving any their US destinations from there.

[dhottawa729]

Originally Posted by sailor734

Firstly, unless Montreal is your final destination flying into YHU makes no sense on any airline other than Porter. (unless Pascan establishes a interline or codeshare agreement with Porter once the new terminal is open)

Secondly, I'd drive to Moncton and get a direct flight before I'd take a milk run like you describe.

It would be interesting to know how much of the current YSJ-YUL traffic has Montreal as their final destination and how much is connecting onwards to the ROC. I would think people making onward connections would be the majority. AFAIK there are no plans to put a US Customs preclearance at YHU (I don't believe there is any space or provision for such a facility in the new terminal design or provision for CBSA services) so that precludes Porter serving any their US destinations from there.

If Pascan can get the price right and it opens up opportunities for maritimers to move around regionally, to a different set of airports (opening up new connection options at each stop) and relatively hassle-free, then this provides something ‘different’. Innovation is essential when faced with established competition. Let the big airlines get us to Europe! Pascan seems like they are more interested in connecting Canadians with Canadians- which we should be so grateful they have entered our market to give us this opportunity. We’re so geographically dispersed with low population density and so a small airline like Pascan is EXACTLY what we need, just like Bearskin does in Northern Ontario. Let’s be positive and focus on solutions (even if they are somewhat dreamy) and hopefully Pascan execs will read this discussion in a thought-provoking way.

https://static1.simpleflyingimages.com/w...routes-operated-by-bearskin-airlines.jpg

[bridgeoftea]

Originally Posted by dhottawa729

We should be more optimistic. I think offering a unique service is what could help them stand out- either routes that the big airlines don’t serve, or as more of a “sky bus” service taking advantage of their small planes which are super quick to board and alight, meaning minimal time on the ground. If there aren’t enough passengers to fill legs between small cities, make them part of a route that starts and ends at bigger cities where people can hop-on/hop-off or go the full length hassle-free. Example: Halifax>SJ>Bathurst>Quebec City>Montreal YHU.

Just run that route back and forth all day long, then maybe add another plane with an offset schedule.

This is the next best thing to a Direct flight for business travellers because you can stay in your seat and continue working the entire time. It also saves us all hundreds of kilometres of driving.

Build or expand on this idea and offer suggestions to address your concerns; don’t just shoot it down. 150 word max.

I think the all day hopper would be an excellent idea. In a hyper unrealistic example, paying $150 to go from SJ to Quebec City for a weekend trip, even though you're stopping in Charlottetown, Bathurst, Quebec City would be worth it.
Saves doing a 6-7 hour drive and parking.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by bridgeoftea

I think the all day hopper would be an excellent idea. In a hyper unrealistic example, paying $150 to go from SJ to Quebec City for a weekend trip, even though you're stopping in Charlottetown, Bathurst, Quebec City would be worth it.
Saves doing a 6-7 hour drive and parking.

Definitely an idea worth looking at. I’d especially be interested in something like Charlottetown->Moncton->Saint John-> New York or Boston.

The supposed price on this Pascan Saint John -> Montreal South Island Suburbs flight is ludicrous!

This is a 45 minute flight, to an airport almost no one wants to go to instead of YUL.

I know some people on here love to bash FLAIR for some reason, but they are one of the bright spots of YSJ in the past 5 years. They can fly us to Toronto (almost twice the distance of Montreal) for as cheap as like $70 each way. I know they’re a budget airline that nickels and dimes us for carry on, luggage, and don’t have the same code sharing agreements as a Porter or even a Pascan… but for the purposes of getting us to Toronto, they do a great job, and have never let me down, yet! (Gone with them around 8 times now)

This Pascan flight is a joke until they lower the price. Unless I have an urgent need to get to Montreal quickly, I’ll sooner fly to Toronto with Flair and take a bus or train to Montreal from there. I’d almost rather take the train from Moncton, but really not a fan of that train ride for the price.

[CharlotteCountyLogan]

I do wish their were more options to fly out of SJ to central canada and beyond. However, I am a fan of the new Pascan flight. It's a second option against Air Canada and I dont have to go to Freddy or Moncton. When I fly I want to get to my destination as fast as possible. Flying to Toronto and backtracking seems like a waste of time. Now some more flights to the US from any of the NB airports would be amazing

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by CharlotteCountyLogan

I do wish their were more options to fly out of SJ to central canada and beyond. However, I am a fan of the new Pascan flight. It's a second option against Air Canada and I dont have to go to Freddy or Moncton. When I fly I want to get to my destination as fast as possible. Flying to Toronto and backtracking seems like a waste of time. Now some more flights to the US from any of the NB airports would be amazing

It’s a good thing if it’s actually seen as competition for Air Canada’s YSJ<->YUL route. Maybe it could result in AC lowering their prices, but I’m not holding my breath:

It’s undeniably not well priced…

Airline pricing is seriously messed up. Air Canada’s flights to Toronto from Saint John are also usually cheaper than their flights to Montreal (around half the distance) and it just doesn’t make sense.

We need government to step in and better regulate airline pricing, but also provide subsidies for smaller centres like Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton, Charlottetown, etc.

[MonctonRad]

I wonder how popular YHU will be for Maritime travellers?

I suspect that Porter will choose to offer service from all their current Maritime destinations (Halifax, Moncton, Fredericton, Charlottetown) to YHU when their service comes fully on line since they have designated YHU as their Montreal hub.

Will Maritimers adopt this airport, or will they remain stuck in their ways and fly Air Canada to YUL.

I suspect that if I am flying to Montreal, or looking to make a transfer to a Canadian destination (via Porter), I would use YHU. If I am making an international connection, I will choose Air Canada and YUL instead.

This would mirror my travel habits now (choosing between Billy Bishop and Toronto Pearson).

Thoughts anyone???

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Definitely an idea worth looking at. I’d especially be interested in something like Charlottetown->Moncton->Saint John-> New York or Boston.

The supposed price on this Pascan Saint John -> Montreal South Island Suburbs flight is ludicrous!

This is a 45 minute flight, to an airport almost no one wants to go to instead of YUL.

I know some people on here love to bash FLAIR for some reason, but they are one of the bright spots of YSJ in the past 5 years. They can fly us to Toronto (almost twice the distance of Montreal) for as cheap as like $70 each way. I know they’re a budget airline that nickels and dimes us for carry on, luggage, and don’t have the same code sharing agreements as a Porter or even a Pascan… but for the purposes of getting us to Toronto, they do a great job, and have never let me down, yet! (Gone with them around 8 times now)

This Pascan flight is a joke until they lower the price. Unless I have an urgent need to get to Montreal quickly, I’ll sooner fly to Toronto with Flair and take a bus or train to Montreal from there. I’d almost rather take the train from Moncton, but really not a fan of that train ride for the price.

For my purposes neither Flair nor Pascan have any real utility. I have no foreseeable need to fly JUST to Toronto or Montreal. My destinations when flying out of Saint John in recent years have all been onward connections through either YYZ, YUL or YHZ.

As I said above, it would be interesting to know what percentage of passengers on the current AC flights to YUL and YYZ are connecting onwards. I have to think it's a reasonably significant percentage.

I would have thought Porter might have cut a codeshare agreement with Pascon to capture some of the YSJ business but perhaps they have calculated they can get enough SJ business through YQM to make it a moot point.

[q12]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I wonder how popular YHU will be for Maritime travellers?


Will Maritimers adopt this airport, or will they remain stuck in their ways and fly Air Canada to YUL.?

Porter is making Halifax a Hub, Maritimers are flying south on Porter's new Daily service to Orlando, and Service to Tampa starting this week.

Porter Airlines is inaugurating two new, nonstop routes between Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) and Florida this week, marking the first time the carrier has operated U.S. flights from the Nova Scotia capital.

Three-times weekly service to Tampa International Airport (TPA) takes off Thursday (Dec. 5), while daily service to Orlando International Airport (MCO) starts tomorrow, Dec. 6. The carrier will have more service to Florida from Halifax than any airline over the winter season.

Sep 30 - Dec 8 2024 - Nassau Bahamas

Both flights are operated by the Embraer E195-E2, which Porter brought to Halifax for the first time in 2023. The 132-seat aircraft is configured two-by-two, which means no middle seats for any passenger.

Passengers who fly with Porter also enjoy free premium snacks, complimentary beer and wine served in glassware, and free Wi-Fi.

PorterReserve fares provide an all-inclusive economy experience, with fresh, healthy meals, premium cocktails, dedicated airport check-in, ticketing flexibility, early boarding, and more legroom.



Porter flies to six destinations in the Sunshine State, with options available across its Eastern Canada network to travel to destinations including Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Miami, Orlando Tampa, and West Palm Beach.

“We’re starting our service from Halifax to Florida in a big way, with more flights than any other airline. The ability to enjoy our distinct service on these routes for the first time will be welcomed by Nova Scotians. Halifax continues to grow for Porter overall, with up to 15 daily departures flying to as many as eight nonstop destinations," said Edmond Eldebs, senior vice-president and chief commercial officer at Porter, in a statement.

Tampa International Airport ✈️
@FlyTPA
WE’RE READY FOR HALIFAX! Today,
@porterairlines
launched nonstop flights from TPA to Halifax, Nova Scotia! Porter now offers flights 3 days each week to this destination and each flight features complimentary Wi-Fi and premium snacks.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by q12

Porter is making Halifax a Hub, Maritimers are flying south on Porter's new Daily service to Orlando, and Service to Tampa starting this week.

Yes, I'm aware.

I could see flying Porter out of YHZ to Florida, but, even despite my age, I am not really a snowbird. I did fly out of YHZ to Orlando last year (via Air Canada), but, that was probably my first time in Florida in at least a decade.

[q12]

Saint John is still on this 2024 updated map. It's either a mistake or they are coming back to YSJ.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by q12

Saint John is still on this 2024 updated map. It's either a mistake or they are coming back to YSJ.

That would be nice.

[sailor734]

I suspect if Porter was coming back and they were showing the route on their website the SJ airport authority would be crowing about it.

My guess is typo.....although, once YHU's new Porter terminal is open late next year who knows?


Although, a Porter flight to YHU would still only be good for connections to Canadian destinations and not the US so still not the preferred route.

If I could magically cause one Porter flight to start operating out of YSJ I would say YYZ, followed by YOW

[sailor734]

In other YSJ related news, Flair continues to struggle to raise new operating capital. This article suggests current lenders may only get back between 0 and 11 cents on the dollar. Flair is apparently seeking to secure another 150 million in longterm debt.

https://www.ft.com/content/d1b2c472-9687-4506-9998-ece1dc68c5d7

[magee_b]

Originally Posted by sailor734

I suspect if Porter was coming back and they were showing the route on their website the SJ airport authority would be crowing about it.

My guess is typo.....although, once YHU's new Porter terminal is open late next year who knows?


Although, a Porter flight to YHU would still only be good for connections to Canadian destinations and not the US so still not the preferred route.

If I could magically cause one Porter flight to start operating out of YSJ I would say YYZ, followed by YOW

Porter just leased an additional 3 x DH4’s so possible they could add YSJ back in if they are adding new lift. I’d actually prefer the YOW link first as it would be a different direct destination (and you could same plane to YTZ) and it would tie into their new E95 hub there which is starting to grow with many of the same destinations as YYZ.

Also wouldn’t be surprised if it was just a typo / someone just hasn’t double checked the map.

[Bishop2047]

Originally Posted by magee_b

Porter just leased an additional 3 x DH4’s so possible they could add YSJ back in if they are adding new lift. I’d actually prefer the YOW link first as it would be a different direct destination (and you could same plane to YTZ) and it would tie into their new E95 hub there which is starting to grow with many of the same destinations as YYZ.

Also wouldn’t be surprised if it was just a typo / someone just hasn’t double checked the map.

I would not read too much into the map. I know I did a year ago, when I first noticed SJ on it. An Ottawa with continuing service to Billy Bishop would be great for YSJ, and the most likely initial offering, should the Pascan route to YHU continue.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Bishop2047

I would not read too much into the map. I know I did a year ago, when I first noticed SJ on it. An Ottawa with continuing service to Billy Bishop would be great for YSJ, and the most likely initial offering, should the Pascan route to YHU continue.

I think the map is in error. I have heard nothing about a rekindled interest by Porter in YSJ. This is frankly peculiar since YSJ is so poorly served. It would seem like a missed business opportunity for Porter to me.

I agree, a service to YOW ongoing to Billy Bishop would seem like a no brainer.