Atlantic Canada airport thread

[nwalbert]

Originally Posted by bingun

I've seen a few posts about this, including one from the mayor. These are the kind of prices that would interest a lot more people, but we will see if it is effective.

I am literally mid-trip on the $199 Halifax/YSJ route. For someone that is accustomed to driving, this is so much more convenient.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by nwalbert

I am literally mid-trip on the $199 Halifax/YSJ route. For someone that is accustomed to driving, this is so much more convenient.

How do you find not having a car in Halifax? My wife usually wants something from somewhere at Dartmouth Crossing/Bayers Lake or Halifax Shopping Centre so that would be an issue. Also, I like to move on my own schedule not the airlines.

I can see how a cheap flight might be attractive in the winter but 7-8 months of the year I still think I'd prefer driving.

[RR Drummer]

Originally Posted by nwalbert

I am literally mid-trip on the $199 Halifax/YSJ route. For someone that is accustomed to driving, this is so much more convenient.

These prices are now making it interesting, especially Saint John to Montreal. Hope it does well.

[dhottawa729]

Saint John might not have the best all-around air service, but at least they have Flair! WOW look at this. They’re literally charging $9.30 per direction to get to Toronto and back in the middle of summer! The rest is tax and airport fees. $130 return, final price is unreal!

https://imgur.com/a/Q0lKL0P

[bingun]

Charlottetown Airport looks ahead to strong summer despite Canada-U.S. tensions

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-chtown-airport-strong-summer-1.7527784

[nwalbert]

Originally Posted by sailor734

How do you find not having a car in Halifax? My wife usually wants something from somewhere at Dartmouth Crossing/Bayers Lake or Halifax Shopping Centre so that would be an issue. Also, I like to move on my own schedule not the airlines.

I can see how a cheap flight might be attractive in the winter but 7-8 months of the year I still think I'd prefer driving.

I guess it depends on your purpose and frequency for visiting Halifax. I visit at least monthly and spend my time downtown conducting business. To save ~ 7 hours of time each trip is gold.

If your going for a weekend getaway its also gold. Halifax has Uber.

[nwalbert]

Originally Posted by RR Drummer

These prices are now making it interesting, especially Saint John to Montreal. Hope it does well.

My flight was Halifax - SJ where I departed, but not everyone did.

Then some folks got on, and the plane was off to Montreal 20 minutes later.

[MonctonRad]

Since the Chinese seafood tariffs came into effect, the lobster flights out of Moncton dried up.

It appears that Europe has decided to step into the breech instead.


On the YQM tarmac the other day. Lobster soon to be off to Belgium.

[MonctonRad]

Moncton airport hopes for another busy year: CEO
Airport had 661,629 passengers in 2024 and hopes wave will continue despite uncertain relationship with the U.S.
Author of the article:Alan Cochrane
Published May 07, 2025 • Last updated 20 hours ago • 2 minute read
https://tj.news/moncton-miramichi/moncton-airport-hopes-for-another-busy-year-ceo (paywall)

“While 2024 marked a year of exceptional growth for YQM, we are building on this progress to continue striving to be the airport of choice in Atlantic Canada,” Burns said. “With the passenger experience at the forefront of our operations, we are preparing to replace our boarding bridges in the coming months and are working with vendors to expand food and beverage options inside the terminal. We are also excited to launch a new route to Toronto Pearson with Porter Airlines starting June 25, and we anticipate a strong summer season with many travellers choosing to fly through YQM.”

In response to a question, Burns said the airport is also working with Codiac Transpo to have bus service extended to the airport.

The extension of Codiac Transpo bus service to the airport is long overdue, although this probably won't have too much impact on early morning departures. It should be noted that Maritime Bus has serviced the airport for a number of years now as well.

[bingun]

I didn't see a news article posted yet, but YSJ's annual report was posted today.

https://ysjsaintjohn.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/YSJ-2024-Annual-Report.pdf

Exciting opportunities are already in motion. Plans are underway to develop a mix of commercial and aviation-related facilities, including a potential hotel, restaurant and commercial hangar. These initiatives will not only enhance services for passengers but also create jobs, boost the local economy and strengthen YSJ’s role as a key driver of regional development.

Passenger numbers are up on last year but still far below pre-COVID levels at just 180,600. That future projection is probably optimistic.



Significant capital investment is planned in 2027, apparently.

[dhottawa729]

Amazing news for Moncton. Such strong performance.

Originally Posted by bingun

Significant capital investment is planned in 2027, apparently.

I’d hesitate to use the world significant. I sincerely hope that YSJ gets some external funding as $8-million won’t buy much, especially if a jet bridge cost $500k alone for example. Would love to see them move the passenger hold room/gates to the second floor and reallocate ground floor to security, check-in and retail amenities, but an elevator plus another pair of escalators could be another million, so the budget goes fast!

[bingun]

Originally Posted by dhottawa729

Amazing news for Moncton. Such strong performance.



I’d hesitate to use the world significant. I sincerely hope that YSJ gets some external funding as $8-million won’t buy much, especially if a jet bridge cost $500k alone for example. Would love to see them move the passenger hold room/gates to the second floor and reallocate ground floor to security, check-in and retail amenities, but an elevator plus another pair of escalators could be another million, so the budget goes fast!

I think investing an equivalent of 80% of your annual revenue in capital improvements is significant, even if its only 8M.

I don't think the improvements are going to be passenger-focused, sadly, see quote below.

Our five-year strategic plan (2025–2030) prioritizes land development as a critical revenue stream, ensuring YSJ remains competitive and financially self-sufficient. By strategically attracting businesses, forging partnerships and diversifying revenue sources, our not-for-profit is laying the groundwork for long term stability while reducing reliance on passenger and airline fees.

[magee_b]

Originally Posted by bingun

I think investing an equivalent of 80% of your annual revenue in capital improvements is significant, even if its only 8M.

I don't think the improvements are going to be passenger-focused, sadly, see quote below.

Page 4 of the annual report suggests “significant terminal enhancements” for 2027 and that they would be undertaking a feasibility study. The terminal is mostly empty, but can’t handle multiple larger aircraft at once during the mid-day “peak”.

[MonctonRad]

The Romeo LeBlanc Greater Moncton International Airport (YQM) annual report for 2024 is now available for review:

Key highlights included:

- Welcoming 661, 629 passengers in 2024 representing a 10% increase over 2023.
- Achieving 98% recovery from pre-pandemic passenger levels, surpassing anticipated targets.
- Continued momentum in cargo operations, facilitating 33 international flights carrying live lobster and handling 1,438 domestic cargo flights.
- Hosting a Cargo and Economic Growth Forum, in collaboration with Deloitte, uniting key stakeholders across the cargo, transportation, and logistics sectors.

Advancing accessibility initiatives, including:

- Recertification by the Rick Hansen Foundation™,
- Launch of the Sunflower Lanyard Hidden Disabilities Program,
- Doubling the number of accessible parking spaces in the underground parking lot,
- Improving wayfinding signage outside of the terminal.

- Achieving Level 2 certification in the Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Carbon Accreditation Program, becoming the first airport in New Brunswick to reach this milestone.
- Expanding air service with WestJet offering year-round flights to Calgary and seasonal service to Edmonton during peak summer months.
- Offering 11 direct weekly flights to sun destinations through Air Transat and Sunwing to the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Cuba, Florida, and Jamaica.

Here is the link to the report:
https://cyqm.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2024-Annual-Report-1.pdf

[Taeolas]

10% growth rate? If that's sustainable, then the airport should have a 1M PAX goal for before 2030 (Very rough back of envelope says they'd reach it in the '29 season). Would be a good mile stone to aim for.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by bingun

I didn't see a news article posted yet, but YSJ's annual report was posted today.

https://ysjsaintjohn.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/YSJ-2024-Annual-Report.pdf



Passenger numbers are up on last year but still far below pre-COVID levels at just 180,600. That future projection is probably optimistic.



Significant capital investment is planned in 2027, apparently.

Unless they have a whole bunch of new flights firmly in the pipeline those projections for YSJ seem far more aspirational than realistic.

Having said that, hope springs eternal.

[DyAm00394]

A new CBC Information Morning interview with YSJ's Marketing and Public Relations Manager, Lori Carle about what's going on at YSJ after their Annual General Meeting this week. https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-2...ohn/clip/16145236-ysj-steady-flight-path

The airport also launched a new monthly newsletter to keep the community up to date on what’s happening now and what’s on the horizon. https://ysjsaintjohn.ca/flight-path/

"Subscribers can expect:
• Airline and destination updates
• Spotlights on local partnerships, passengers, and team members
• Sneak peeks at airport development and community events
• Ways we are improving your passenger experience"

[nwalbert]

Originally Posted by sailor734

Unless they have a whole bunch of new flights firmly in the pipeline those projections for YSJ seem far more aspirational than realistic.

Having said that, hope springs eternal.

I agree they are aspirational but in no way unrealistic if they can get some government support to bring back the flights.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by nwalbert

I agree they are aspirational but in no way unrealistic if they can get some government support to bring back the flights.

Not sure what you mean by "government support"? I know there are subsidies for for airlines to service northern and remote communities but other than that........?

Already having flights to YYZ, YUL, YHU and YHZ I hardly think Saint John would qualify for any kind of financial subsidy for increased service.

[nwalbert]

Originally Posted by sailor734

Not sure what you mean by "government support"? I know there are subsidies for for airlines to service northern and remote communities but other than that........?

Already having flights to YYZ, YUL, YHU and YHZ I hardly think Saint John would qualify for any kind of financial subsidy for increased service.

I believe that the federal government has the ability to play a large role in deciding AC routes/frequency in Atlantic Canada. Not necessarily through subsidies.