Canadian Airport Thread II

[Bourkky]

AC just ordered A350-1000. Official announcement soon. 8 firm + 8 options with first delivery in 2030.

[nname]

From the image posted in another forum, looks like AC is planning to use the new frames in:
YYZ-Australia
YYZ-South Africa
YYZ-India
YUL-India
YVR-China
YVR-Indonesia

[ninjakafi_81]

Originally Posted by nname

From the image posted in another forum, looks like AC is planning to use the new frames in:
YYZ-Australia
YYZ-South Africa
YYZ-India
YUL-India
YVR-China
YVR-Indonesia

Can an A35K do YVR-India with the closure of the Russian Airspace ?

[LeftCoaster]

Originally Posted by ninjakafi_81

Can an A35K do YVR-India with the closure of the Russian Airspace ?

That was my first thought. I'd think it could do it pretty easily. I wonder if the russian airspace issue will still be around and kicking in 2030 when these frames are anticipated. I wouldn't be surprised if it was.

Strange they have it mentioned for YUL-DEL since that is already being done, maybe it will replace the 789 which is probably well at the edge of its limit there.

It should also allow for the resumption of YYZ-HKG and a host of other asian destinations. All in all this allows AC to overfly YVR from YYZ and serve a lot of destinations directly. I'd expect AKL, SYD, BKK, and more are now being eyed up non-stop from YYZ.

[YOWflier]

Originally Posted by YOWflier

Heard a rumour that some entity in Canada is sniffing around the A350. Speculate away.

Truth: it was much much stronger than a rumour but I minced my words. However, it took much longer to announce than I expected.

[Dominion301]

Originally Posted by q12

Here's an example from 1987:

A quote from the cover of Air Atlantic's Timetable from 1987:



They had 6 flights a day from Moncton to Halifax back in that day on Air Atlantic alone.

1987 Timetable from Moncton. Notice all the YHZ connections.




An Air Atlantic Commerical promoting the Halifax Hub from 1987 when it was competing with Air Nova/Air Canada.
• Video Link

Thanks for posting all of this. Based on what the man said in the tv ad, it's possible to estimate loads with a few assumptions:
- 52 flights a day on weekdays (assume half as many on weekends)
- Over 100,000 pax carried in 6 months (so let's assume 120,000 total)
- Assume about 1% of flights are cancelled, which would yield 8,000 flights operated in 6 months (probably less as at startup I can't imagine they were at 52 from the get-go)

With this info, Air Atlantic's seat factor on DH7s and DH8s would have been in 38-40% range (load factor would be similar given the short stage lengths). That's probably 1986 for the video as Canadi>n came into existence March 27, 1987, while Air Atlantic launch in 1986.

[casper]

Originally Posted by Bourkky

AC just ordered A350-1000. Official announcement soon. 8 firm + 8 options with first delivery in 2030.

Promo-video for it.....

• Video Link

[Ozabald]

Originally Posted by Dominion301

Thanks for posting all of this. Based on what the man said in the tv ad, it's possible to estimate loads with a few assumptions:
- 52 flights a day on weekdays (assume half as many on weekends)
- Over 100,000 pax carried in 6 months (so let's assume 120,000 total)
- Assume about 1% of flights are cancelled, which would yield 8,000 flights operated in 6 months (probably less as at startup I can't imagine they were at 52 from the get-go)

With this info, Air Atlantic's seat factor on DH7s and DH8s would have been in 38-40% range (load factor would be similar given the short stage lengths). That's probably 1986 for the video as Canadi>n came into existence March 27, 1987, while Air Atlantic launch in 1986.

That man in the Air Atlantic video is Canadian actor John Vernon. Best known as Dr. Steve Wojeck on CBC's Wojeck series and as Dean Wormer in Animal House.

[Dominion301]

A PD E95 from YYZ slightly overshot YHZ’s runway 14/32 (don’t know which direction they were coming in from) and rolled into the snow. Aircraft looks fine and pax were deplaned via air stairs and bussed to the terminal. Wonder why they didn’t use 05/23? Crosswinds? Unfortunately I currently don’t have time to look up the METAR or the landing time.

https://airlive.net/incident/2026/02...ort-in-canada/

[RomanR27]

Originally Posted by Dominion301

A PD E95 from YYZ slightly overshot YHZ’s runway 14/32 (don’t know which direction they were coming in from) and rolled into the snow. Aircraft looks fine and pax were deplaned via air stairs and bussed to the terminal. Wonder why they didn’t use 05/23? Crosswinds? Unfortunately I currently don’t have time to look up the METAR or the landing time.

https://airlive.net/incident/2026/02...ort-in-canada/

Landed runway 14: https://www.flightaware.com/live/fli...210Z/CYYZ/CYHZ

METAR seems to really support a runway 05 landing, though, at least based on the winds: https://metar-taf.com/history/CYHZ?station_id=0

METAR CYHZ 120000Z 05011G16KT 3/4SM R14/P6000FT/U R23/P6000FT/D -SN OVC006 M01/M01 A2936 RMK ST8 /S03/ SLP951

METAR CYHZ 120037Z 04010G17KT 2SM -SN OVC008 M01/M02 A2934 RMK ST8 SLP945

Maybe 05/23 had snow clearing ops ongoing?

[J81]

Originally Posted by JonToms

It is not a US pre clearance facility, it is an International Connections Facility where passengers on a connecting flight from an international destination (Europe) pass through customs while still staying in the secured area of the terminal. Basically they go through customs in this facility and don’t have to go out of the secure area to recheck their bags and go through security again. It speeds up connecting time.

https://halifaxstanfield.ca/news-rel...X0JMHgpnd--ozA

I was not aware of this change. This definitely makes the passenger experience better when connecting. Passengers have always been able to connect from domestic to international flights prior to that facility opening. I did YQM-YHZ-LHR and return a few times and IIRC the same process existed in every airport. I specifically remember having to retrieve my luggage in YYZ and YUL connecting from TATL flights to domestic ones which wasnt ideal with a tight connection.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by q12

Yeah this statement is incorrect. Halifax for many decades has been a hub for Atlantic Canadian flights.

I've always been puzzled by the argument that Halifax is just a local airport. If this is true, why does it have approximately 6x the passenger numbers that Moncton does? I think Moncton is the second-busiest airport. Furthermore why are YHZ's passenger numbers in the same ballpark as Winnipeg or Ottawa?

[q12]

Originally Posted by Dominion301

Thanks for posting all of this. Based on what the man said in the tv ad, it's possible to estimate loads with a few assumptions:
- 52 flights a day on weekdays (assume half as many on weekends)
- Over 100,000 pax carried in 6 months (so let's assume 120,000 total)
- Assume about 1% of flights are cancelled, which would yield 8,000 flights operated in 6 months (probably less as at startup I can't imagine they were at 52 from the get-go)

With this info, Air Atlantic's seat factor on DH7s and DH8s would have been in 38-40% range (load factor would be similar given the short stage lengths). That's probably 1986 for the video as Canadi>n came into existence March 27, 1987, while Air Atlantic launch in 1986.

Great Analysis!

Here was Air Nova in 1988 for comparison:

Air Nova 1988 Timetable highlights:



Air Nova Route Map 1988


And Air Nova Commercial from 1988:
• Video Link

[Ozabald]

Originally Posted by q12

Great Analysis!

Here was Air Nova in 1988 for comparison:

Air Nova 1988 Timetable highlights:



Air Nova Route Map 1988


And Air Nova Commercial from 1988:
• Video Link

Thanks for the nostalgia trip back in time! Remember Air Nova and the BAe 146 fondly. It was a spiffy little jet and it was the shortest jet flight I've taken; going YFC-YSJ-YHZ.

[Dominion301]

Originally Posted by someone123

I've always been puzzled by the argument that Halifax is just a local airport. If this is true, why does it have approximately 6x the passenger numbers that Moncton does? I think Moncton is the second-busiest airport. Furthermore why are YHZ's passenger numbers in the same ballpark as Winnipeg or Ottawa?

It's simple, geography and in the case of Halifax vs Moncton, the former's got 3 times the population with 1/4 of its traffic connecting vs 0% connecting at YQM. Winnipeg and Halifax have minimal rail service and are far away from the next closest major city. It's the same reason why YYC blows away any other airport for a city of its size in North America (keeping in mind in Canada alone, Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa are essentially the exact same size).

Ottawa's got loads of rail (and bus) service (3rd busiest) and being a 2 hour drive from Montreal (loads of leakage to YUL and non-existent O&D by air). If Ottawa were as geographically isolated as the other two like say up in Northern Ontario near Timmins with nearly double and triple the populations respectively of the other two, it'd be easily handling at least as much traffic as YEG and probably over 10 million pax/year.

YOW has pretty much recovered all of its pre-pandemic traffic except for day trippers to/from Toronto that have been replaced by Zoom & Teams calls - 250K pax. YOW more than anywhere else needs to pray that PD are around for the long-term as the airport would literally lose 40% of its traffic overnight.

[Dominion301]

YQQ 2025 pax stats:

The Comox Valley Airport (YQQ) has closed 2025 with the busiest year in terminal history, welcoming 449,849 passengers over the calendar year and setting a new all-time annual record.

Passenger volumes in 2025 increased 11.7% compared to 2024, surpassing the airport's previous record of 420,811 passengers set in 2018 by more than 29,000 travellers.

https://www.comoxairport.com/january-21-2026

[Dominion301]

YHM's first two loading bridges are now operational, along with international arrivals improvements: https://flyhamilton.ca/hamilton-inte...ls-experience/

The addition of two passenger jet bridges brings a new level of comfort and convenience to travellers by providing direct, weather-protected access between the terminal and aircraft. The bridges, which have been in operation since December, are a first for Hamilton International and a much-anticipated enhancement for passengers and airline partners alike.

Complementing the passenger jet bridges is Hamilton International’s modernized international arrivals area, featuring aesthetic enhancements and new technologies that support more efficient border processing. Travellers arriving from international and transborder destinations will benefit from new Primary Inspection Kiosks, enhanced wayfinding and a dedicated lane for NEXUS members, helping reduce wait times and improving the overall entry experience.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by Dominion301

It's simple, geography and in the case of Halifax vs Moncton, the former's got 3 times the population with 1/4 of its traffic connecting vs 0% connecting at YQM. Winnipeg and Halifax have minimal rail service and are far away from the next closest major city. It's the same reason why YYC blows away any other airport for a city of its size in North America (keeping in mind in Canada alone, Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa are essentially the exact same size).

I wasn't wondering why this is the case, I was asking facetiously how the "YHZ is just a local airport" claim can coexist with these facts. YHZ is so obviously an outlier. I think it might have a majority of all passenger totals for the Maritimes.

Connecting flights likely also understates the regional impact; plenty of people will drive in from other towns.

[casper]

Not a source I usually turn to, so I don't know how accurate they are. However it looks like AirTransat is dropping their routes to the US to focus on overseas destinations. Good move, I don't think there are a lot of Canadians looking to vacation in the US these days.

https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-...ghts-to-US?ct=

[Dominion301]

Originally Posted by someone123

I wasn't wondering why this is the case, I was asking facetiously how the "YHZ is just a local airport" claim can coexist with these facts. YHZ is so obviously an outlier. I think it might have a majority of all passenger totals for the Maritimes.

Connecting flights likely also understates the regional impact; plenty of people will drive in from other towns.

Copy that…took it too literally. Yeah YHZ is the mini Atlantic version of YYC.

@Q12, the Air Nova literature is great.