Atlantic Canada airport thread

[J81]

Originally Posted by michael_d40

Ironically last time I flew to Seattle was out of YHZ as well but that’s because I prefer flying United and the price was excellent. (1400 return business class) So I went YHZ-EWR-SEA instead of using a New Brunswick airport.

I also used YHZ to EWR to get to SJU back in April because the times and prices out of YQM were abysmal.

[miniborder]

https://www.heartaerospace.com/newsroom/...certificate-for-x1-demonstrator-aircraft

It looks like a test certificate has been issued by the FAA for an experimental prototype for the eventual ES-30 aircraft targeted for type certification in the early 2030s. A clean-sheet hybrid electric design with ~800km range that interestingly, Air Canada has already placed a 30-unit order for.

The big idea and potential here is that the reduced unit costs of hybrid electric propulsion might be able to bring regional operations back from the dead. I still have major doubts that this product ever makes it to market, but this isn't nothing and it's fun to dream I guess.

[bingun]

Joint Statement from Saint John Airport and Neqotkuk First Nation

https://ysjsaintjohn.ca/joint-statement-from-saint-john-airport-and-neqotkuk-first-nation/

Joint Statement from Saint John Airport and Neqotkuk First Nation

August 6, 2026

Saint John Airport and Neqotkuk First Nation are pleased to provide an update regarding the commercial development project on lands surrounding the Saint John Airport following recent public discussion.

The two organizations have been working together to advance the first phase of the project, which includes a gas station with two restaurant spaces. As preparations continue, members of the public may begin to see activity related to this development in the coming weeks.

While both organizations continue to evaluate future opportunities for the site, no additional developments are being announced at this time.
Businesses and organizations interested in leasing opportunities associated with the development are encouraged to contact Christine Stanley, Colliers Real Estate New Brunswick, at [email protected].

Saint John Airport and Neqotkuk First Nation remain committed to responsible planning, collaboration, and ensuring the community receives accurate information as the project progresses.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the community and media will be announced at a later date. We appreciate the public's interest and look forward to sharing additional updates through our official communication channels as project milestones are reached.

[BlackYear]

In case you haven't flown Flair Airlines from Moncton to Toronto yet, I did an outbound on Monday this week with a return on Wed, and the Boeing 737 MAX was 100% full capacity both ways. Tight squeeze in the two rows of three seats tube configuration. Glad the flight time wasn't any longer. 1hr55min to YYZ and 1hr45min to YQM. No in seat monitors. Only a USB plug.

[dhottawa729]

Originally Posted by BlackYear

In case you haven't flown Flair Airlines from Moncton to Toronto yet, I did an outbound on Monday this week with a return on Wed, and the Boeing 737 MAX was 100% full capacity both ways. Tight squeeze in the two rows of three seats tube configuration. Glad the flight time wasn't any longer. 1hr55min to YYZ and 1hr45min to YQM. No in seat monitors. Only a USB plug.

That’s encouraging. Flair has been great for proving the demand is there (at the right price). I honestly don’t know how they make money though as the service is just as good as Air Canada (in my few experiences), though perhaps Air Canada is and has always operated like a low-cost carrier at high cost but we’ve just not had enough to compare to unless you’ve seen how much more premium air travel is like everywhere else in the world (e.g. my recent $36 to fly from Malaysia to Vietnam).

[MonctonRad]

From the main Canada section [Airport] thread:

Originally Posted by Dominion301

Heart Aerospace’s X1 hybrid electric demonstrator and precursor to the production ES-30 took to the skies for the first time a couple of days ago just a bit south of Montreal out of PLB / Plattsburgh: https://www.heartaerospace.com/newsroom/...ght-of-world-s-largest-electric-aircraft

The all-electric 27 minute flight’s fuel cost was only USD $5.

Apparently AirCanada is interested in purchasing electrics such as this for short commuter routes. Could we see aircraft like this on short routes like from Moncton, Charlottetown and Saint John to YHZ???

The ES-30 is a conventional fixed-wing, 30-seat hybrid-electric regional airliner being developed for FAA Part 25 certification. It has attracted customer commitments from major air carriers including United Airlines, Air Canada, and JSX.

With entry into service targeted for 2031, Heart expects the ES-30 to reduce aircraft operating costs by more than 40% compared with legacy regional aircraft. This reduction is driven by lower energy costs, reduced maintenance requirements from simplified electric propulsion and electrified flight systems, and greater aircraft uptime and reliability enabled by an integrated electronics and software architecture.

- seating capacity - 30 passengers.
- luggage capacity per PAX - 55 lbs.
- range (all electric) - 200 km.
- range (hybrid) - 800 km
- charge time - 30 minutes.

Distance (as the crow flies)

- YQM/YHZ - 165 km
- YYG/YHZ - 160 km
- YSJ/YHZ - 194 km
- YFC/YHZ - 394 km

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

That would be great, and even within range for flights to Montreal!

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Also posted in the main SJ thread. A YSJ event coming up very soon:




Could probably find out and learn a lot more if you attend. Could even make a good opportunity for a local SSP meetup. See you there, J81, lol

[MonctonRad]

This is an interesting graphic from the YQM website. This is new:



Interesting they separated Toronto-Pearson from Toronto-Billy Bishop, but they didn't do the same thing for Montreal-Trudeau and Montreal-MET.

Also, the graphic doesn't capture the fact that the Porter flight to Ottawa actually continues on to Toronto-Billy Bishop, effectively giving us 5x daily service to Toronto (and 3x weekly on Flair).

They don't currently have the winter destination schedule posted. I'm sure things are currently complicated by the Cuba situation. I expect 4-5 destinations in Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican. I wonder if they will consider anyplace new (like the Bahamas) to replace Cuba?

[J81]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

This is an interesting graphic from the YQM website. This is new:



Interesting they separated Toronto-Pearson from Toronto-Billy Bishop, but they didn't do the same thing for Montreal-Trudeau and Montreal-MET.

Also, the graphic doesn't capture the fact that the Porter flight to Ottawa actually continues on to Toronto-Billy Bishop, effectively giving us 5x daily service to Toronto (and 3x weekly on Flair).

They don't currently have the winter destination schedule posted. I'm sure things are currently complicated by the Cuba situation. I expect 4-5 destinations in Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican. I wonder if they will consider anyplace new (like the Bahamas) to replace Cuba?

Porter changed their flights up a bit so the early morning departure is nonstop to YTZ. The Ottawa flight is now at 11:55 and does not continue to YTZ. You can connect from that flight to either YTZ or YYZ but it is no longer same olane service.

[MonctonRad]

Atlas Air B-777 has just landed at YQM. This is the first lobster flight in some time. Hopefully they will carry on for the rest of the fall.

[MonctonRad]

Apparently they are expecting 2x weekly lobster flights (B-777 & B-747) for the next two months.

Moncton airport remembers 9/11 with ceremony Friday
Moncton airport accepted 13 international flights on Sept. 11, 2001, and Coliseum was converted into an emergency shelter for stranded passengers
Author of the article:Alan Cochrane
Published Sep 08, 2026 • Last updated 0 minutes ago • 3 minute read
https://tj.news/moncton-miramichi/moncton-airport-remembers-9-11-with-ceremony-friday (paywall)

The Greater Moncton Romeo LeBlanc International Airport will hold a ceremony Friday to mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and remember how the people of Moncton helped stranded travellers.

The airport said Friday’s ceremony will begin at 2:30 p.m., with a moment of silence in remembrance for the victims of the attacks in the United States. Speakers will include Courtney Burns, CEO of the Moncton airport; Viki Limaye, U.S. Consul General in Halifax; Kelly Cain, deputy minister of Transportation and Infrastructure; and Bill Lawlor, vice-president, Atlantic Canada, Canadian Red Cross.

The Moncton airport accepted 13 international flights, which accounted for approximately 2,100 stranded travellers for three days.

I remember that day very well. Perfect fall weather. Hearing the news at work that a plane had hit the World Trade Centre, and not immediately understanding what was going on until the second tower was hit. Going down to the doctors lounge to watch the TV, and getting there in time to see the first collapse. My spontaneous declaration to the other doctors watching the TV that "this is war." Hearing about all the planes landing at the airport. My wife and I deciding that evening to offer to take in some of the refugees, but, by the time we phoned to make the offer, finding out that our services were not necessary as the passengers had all been assigned lodgings. Taking a walk later in the evening and looking up in the sky and not seeing a single contrail. The world seemed deathly still.

The world changed forever that day, and not in a good way. Everything that is happening now can be traced back to 9/11

[J81]

Strong numbers for the summer at YQM. Over 210000 passengers June July and August as well as an 11% increase year over year in August.

[magee_b]

Pascan service is being discontinued at YSJ. Booking on the Pascan site is blocked after October 14. I reached out to the airport and they confirmed it is in fact being discontinued.

External sites (Porter and Expedia) are still showing it open, but probably has not been updated in their systems yet.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by dhottawa729

FALSE- you can still book YSJ-YHU and beyond well into 2027 on flyporter.com as well as Expedia.ca
An unsubstantiated rumour like that will only weaken consumer confidence and become a self fulfilling prophecy.

See the post above thanks for confirming, Magee, as disappointing as this news is

Looks like Pascan is indeed moving on from YSJ. I noticed on the Porter website that there were no flights past mid October, but maybe that’s because I was looking to book onwards to Winnipeg, and not just Montreal.


Will government step up now and get YSJ included in the PAL Atlantic Canada flight program? I sure as hell hope something gets done.

With all of Carney’s talk about attracting foreign investment and concession models for our largest airports to fund better airports in smaller centers, maybe we could actually see the Fredericton—Saint John combined airport idea actually happen, and mostly paid for by foreign investors.

I don’t think DP World would think twice about being a major investment in a new Canadian airport if it meant a green light for further expansion and development at nearby Port Saint John.

As AI manufacturing and other new technologies develop, there will be more synergies developed between cargo shipping and air cargo. Moreover, it’s pretty clear the PM wants to see Canada invest hundreds of billions in the military over the coming decades, and CFB Gagetown is right there between Saint John and Fredericton… now seems a better time than ever.

[CharlotteCountyLogan]

Pascan leaving Saint John — for the city and airport. Outside of Flair flights in the summer YSJ is 100% a Air canada airport. As for YSJ being included in the government funded PAL connector flights I will be suprised if that happens. As for the combined airport you will have to fight CFB Gagetown to get any land from them. Unlikely even as the federal government talks a big game. A combined Fredericton Saint John airport is very far down anyone's list of things to fund and build.

[magee_b]

There’s still no evidence the provincially funded PAL flights to/from Halifax will be happening. Was originally supposed to start by the end of 2025… it’s been crickets since the funding announcement.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by magee_b

There’s still no evidence the provincially funded PAL flights to/from Halifax will be happening. Was originally supposed to start by the end of 2025… it’s been crickets since the funding announcement.

I was just going to make the same point.

Also, the PAL service is not going to be frequent, therefore will not be convenient AND I'm pretty sure the YQM/YFC connection to HHZ is supposed to be a loop, meaning the while the YHZ-YQM segment will be direct, the YQM-YHZ connection will be via YFC. What the hell is up with that!!!!

I think this service needs to go back to the drawing board before takeoff.

[sailor734]

Sounds like the whole PAL thing was more about optics and scoring political points than actually supporting the creation of viable air routes

[Taeolas]

The PAL plan would probably have been better used as an investment in Maritime Bus instead to getbetter service between the key cities. Maybe investment in encouraging PAX rail instead by setting up a SJ to HFX corridor. While air travel is faster, it's not really convienet overall, and the costs (especially now) for the short distances involves don't really make it worth it. I'd prefer a clean and comfortable motor coach or train car over a tiny noisy airplane cabin, especially when the bus/train wouldn't be THAT much longer when you factor in the security lead times, and where the airports are in relation to the cities. Especially with the differences in ticket prices.