Hamilton International Airport

[LikeHamilton]

This is schedule for tomorrow and Wednesday. There is only one flight in with passengers as the other aircraft will be there for the official kick off at 2 pm in Hamilton.

Arrives in YHM

1-May Doncaster/Sheffield to Hamilton GSM 183 16:20
1-May Manchester to Hamilton GSM 103 16:20

Departs YHM

1-May Hamilton to Glasgow GSM 132 22:55
1-May Hamilton to Gatwick GSM 152 22:55
1-May Hamilton to Stansted GSM 166 20:25
1-May Hamilton to Exeter GSM 182 20:25

Arrives in YHM

2-May Exeter to Hamilton GSM 181 16:20
2-May Glasglow to Hamilton GSM 131 20:40
2-May Gatwick to Hamilton GSM 151 21:40
2-May Stansted to Hamilton GSM 165 16:20

Departs YHM

2-May Hamilton to Birmingham GSM 172 20:35
2-May Hamilton to Manchester GSM 104 20:35
2-May Hamilton to Shannon GSM 852 22:00
2-May Hamilton to Dublin GSM 842 22:00

[Hammer Town]

That first arrival is already on ther online FIDS from the airport website, it looks kinda cool.

[SteelTown]

It's a tea party on the tarmac with first U.K. flight arrival

By John Burman
The Hamilton Spectator
(May 1, 2007)

The British are coming on the first transatlantic scheduled flight to land in Hamilton in almost 20 years.

flyglobespan.com, Britain's fastest growing airline, begins service connecting Hamilton to 13 British destinations today.

The first load of passengers -- from Doncaster/Sheffield airport -- lands in Hamilton at 4:20 p.m. Two flights to Britain will depart this evening.

Stephen Elmy, Canadian manager for the Edinburgh-based carrier, says all three inaugural flights are full.

flyglobespan flies from Britain to various locations in Europe.

Hamilton airport plans a "fire truck welcome," spraying water jets over the top of the first plane.

[SteelTown]

Local air service to U.K. takes off

By John Burman
The Hamilton Spectator
(May 1, 2007)

John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport takes a huge step across the Atlantic today.

flyglobespan.com, the internet-based discount airline voted Airline of the Year by the Scottish BAA in 2005, will inaugurate its three times a day service to 13 British destinations today.

The thrice daily service -- which offers economy flights as low as $99 one way not including taxes -- will be offered from May to October using Boeing 757s and similar planes.

Stephen Elmy, flyglobespan's Canadian manager, says the airline "will have a winter schedule, certainly to the major cities" but it is liable to be only one or two flights a day.

It's been nearly 20 years since the airport handled jets bound for Britain, a service lost when Nationair closed down operations here in August 1989.

Richard Koroscil, president of TradePort International which operates the airport, says Hamilton worked quietly over 18 months to land the new carrier.

Koroscil and Elmy say Hamilton's major advantage is cost.

Landing fees at Pearson International in Toronto can be $10,000 depending on the plane. Hamilton's are about $4,000.

"It costs one third to land a big plane in Hamilton, what it costs in Toronto," says Elmy.

Then there's the taxes. Add them up and taxes in Hamilton work out to about $130 less per seat.

And every dime counts. Elmy and analysts say there is something of a fare war going on over the Atlantic this summer as Airtransat, Zoom Airlines and flyglobespan duke it out.

"I've seen some fares one way out of Toronto for $74," says Elmy.

flyglobespan offers a cheap, economy seat with less luggage allowance for $99. The airline offers more expensive premium and business class seats.

Hamilton airport plans a welcome tea party for flyglobespan featuring plenty of food, the pipes and drums of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders of Canada, lots of sun and dignitaries on the tarmac from 2 to 4 p.m.

[SteelTown]

So I guess Flyglobespan will indeed stay with YHM all year around now that it plans a winter schedule.

[SteelTown]

This is so cool....

[Hammer Town]

Steeltown
I saw that last night and get pretty excited.

They have today departures up on the Departure screen.

Pretty good stuff.

[LikeHamilton]

First flight is on it's way!


Airline Flyglobespan
Flight Number 103
Departure City (Airport) Manchester, England, Great Britain (EGCC)
Departure Time 05/01/2007 02:23 PM
Arrival City (Airport) Hamilton, ON, Canada (YHM)
Arrival Time 05/01/2007 03:54 PM
Remaining Flight Time 04:36
Aircraft Type Boeing 757-200
Current Altitude 0 feet
Current Groundspeed 556 mph
Flight Status In Flight

[SteelTown]

Oh cool it's in air! Near Iceland.

Make sure you take plenty of pictures!! I hope all of this will lead to an airport terminal expansion in the near future.

[SteelTown]

Is the International terminal complete? Did they manage to finish building the new section of the terminal before flyglobespan arrival?

[Hammer Town]

ok guys I have to telly ou about today however i odn't have the time right now. I will post asap.

[LikeHamilton]

flyglobespan aircraft at Hamilton International Airport (YHM)




Fire Trucks ready for the welcoming.



The new Hi Shuttle at the airport.



flyglobespan checkin counters.





The new Ground Transportation Services desk. It opened today.

[SteelTown]

Flyglobespan lands at YHM

[Hammer Town]

Ok so Iw as at the press confrence nothing terribly exciting happened there jus tyour typical media event where Governtmet officials and ceo give speeches

However i get to have a terminal tour. this was probably the best part. For anyone tha thas flown international through YHM they have probably to been overly impresses with the International Arrivals area. well. they are really moving forward with the construction of this area. They havn't been able to get it finich yet bt its coming.

Right now you have to go through customes etc they kinda of go outside and then go into the main terminal to do anything else ie Rent a car grab a coffee etc. Basically tou have to go around the Customs office. Well when essicially is happening it the customs office is moving down towards the end of the new building they have constructed and that area where the customs office is now will be opened up and passengers will come out of baggage claim through thee right into the main concourse. additionally they will be doing quite a bit of cosmetic work inside the arrival area for international flights. They also plan to install shifting baggage belts so one of he domestic belts can swing from either area domestic of international.

Now incase anyone is wondering what is happening with any mojor terminal expansions they dont intend to do one major project all at once. Its all going to be completed in stages as is needed. The reason for this is that there is always so much uncertanty in the aviation world that they don't want to start a major project then have another airline all of a sudden have a major reduction in service like a certian unmentionable airline.

Anyway thats about the best stuff I hear that hasn't really been herd of before.

[Hammer Town]

Some of My Pictures from Yesterday


Passenger Airline Tails of YHM


Two FlyGlobespan Aircraft on the Ramp


One FlyGlobespan Aircraft on the Ramp and a second one being moved over to prepare for flight to Glasgow Scotland

[SteelTown]

I saw the Robert Q Airbus today! They must be doing really well since I saw it twice along Queen St.

[SteelTown]

Hamilton International Airport welcomes flyglobespan

On Tuesday 1 May, 2007 John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport hosted a gathering of dignitaries, guests and representatives of the media to celebrate the arrival of the first flyglobespan flight into the airport this season. The event took place at the Airport and the adjoining Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, in keeping with the theme of the event.

Attendees included the Hon. Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, the Hon. Jim Bradley, Ontario Minister of Tourism, Michael Upton, Deputy Consul-General, British Consulate-General Toronto, Fred Eisenberger, Mayor of Hamilton and Alex Heron, VP Canada flyglobespan. The flyglobespan plane was greeted by the Hamilton Airport Fire Department and the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (LP). Guests enjoyed a traditional British High Tea and tea tasting – all to the accompaniment of Highland Dancing.

Flyglobespan has become one of the largest and most popular airlines in the UK. Its first flights herald the arrival in Canada of one of the most successful examples of the low cost airline model that has opened up the skies over Europe in recent years.

The Hon. Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities announced in November of last year, a new International air policy, the Blue Sky policy. “Our Blue Sky policy aims to give Canadians more choice and more opportunities to fly to the places they want to go,” said Minister Cannon. “It will allow more airlines like flyglobespan to establish new services, it will create more opportunities for Canadian carriers to expand internationally and it will enable airports, such as the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport, to market themselves around the globe with greater freedom”.

Hamilton International Airport (hi) has been carefully chosen over Toronto Pearson as flyglobespan’s Canadian base in Ontario. “We are very proud to be chosen by flyglobespan, as this validates the ease of use and time savings advantage that hi offers compared to Toronto Pearson,” said Richard Koroscil, President and CEO, John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport. “We’re offering more destinations and services than ever before and we’re extremely pleased to have flyglobespan as our newest partner.”

The benefits of small convenient regional airports, as opposed to congested big city alternatives, were also highlighted by Stephen Elmy, Regional Manager - North America for flyglobespan. “Regional airports help keep costs down and it’s quick and easy for travelers to arrive closer to their actual destination.” He added, “Flyglobespan may be new to Canada, but we’re well-known in the UK. We fly from there to over 20 European destinations and have now added destinations in the US and South Africa to our network. Once Canadians arrive in the UK they have the potential to explore not just the UK, but Europe as well. In fact London Stansted is the home of the $10 ticket to Europe.”

Michael Upton, Deputy Consul-General, British Consulate-General Toronto was amongst the welcoming party for the new flights. He emphasized the convenience of the regional airport destinations in the UK. "Flyglobespan's network helps passengers to reach their destination directly in the UK. It will greatly benefit tourists seeking to cover several areas of the country, because Globespan's flexibility allows them to fly into one airport and out of another. Moreover, the increased options of regional airport links, and low fares will encourage even more visits by friends, family, and also make new business connections". Upton went on to highlight the target of welcoming one million visitors to the UK from Canada during the next few years.

The Hon. Jim Bradley, Ontario Minister of Tourism, who was also in attendance, had his eyes firmly set on the passengers arriving in the other direction. “Ontario hosts more than 415,000 visitors from the UK each year making this our largest overseas market,” said Minister of Tourism Jim Bradley. “This is a great opportunity for us to expand and develop our regional tourism market in this area.”

[SteelTown]

Pickering can go ahead with its new airport
Kevin Werner, Mountain
(May 4, 2007)

The federal Transportation Minister says growth patterns don't indicate holding back constructing the Pickering airport for the benefit of the Hamilton International Airport.

Lawrence Cannon refused to say this week during the launch of Hamilton International Airport's new airline flyglobespan at the Wartime Heritage Museum, the Conservative government will curtail the development of a new airport in Pickering.

"The studies have not indicated" that future economic and democratic growth is concentrating in the Golden Horseshoe and around the Hamilton area, he told reporters.

"(The Pickering option) is still there down the road," he said. "What we want to be able to do until we get there is to continue to develop and promote our policies and those polices obviously have positive steps and consequences."

He said once the demographic and economic studies "come to full fruition we will make the appropriate decision when the time comes."

For the last three years Hamilton officials and Hamilton International Airport representatives have been urging the federal government to quash the Pickering airport development and put more resources into the Hamilton Airport as the most viable secondary airport location in Southern Ontario.

They have pointed out that transportation, demographic and economic trends reveal a more viable airport in Hamilton.

The Ontario government in its "Places to Grow" document identifies Hamilton as a growth opportunity, city officials point out. It means funding will flow to develop the city's transportation options such as the airport.

Richard Koroscil, president and chief operating officer of TradePort International reiterated the airport's position that the federal government has to be made aware by the municipality that Hamilton International Airport is the most economically viable location compared to Pearson International Airport or to Pickering.

[SteelTown]

flyglobespan takes off with flights to the United Kingdom
Kevin Werner, Ancaster News
(May 4, 2007)

Even before one of their 757s had even touched down at Hamilton International Airport, flyglobespan airlines officials were hailing their UK flights from the city a commercial boon.

"It's already a success," said Stephen Elmy, regional manager for flyglobespan earlier this week during the airline's launch party at the Hamilton Warplane Heritage Museum complete with bagpipes and highland dancers.

"It's been astounding," he added. "It's been beyond our wildest imagination. We're very, very pleased with the response."

Mr. Elmy said, as Hamilton Airport officials and guests enjoyed tea and crumpets during an afternoon news conference this week, airline officials are preparing to announced in a few weeks extending its service throughout the winter.

"And then we will come back full bore, probably in a bigger way come next April, May (2008)," he said.

The low-cost, web-based airline, which was established in 2002 in Europe, is providing three flights per day from the Hamilton Airport between May and October. The first two flights on its 757 planes, which carry about 189 passengers, May 1 were already filled, and Mr. Elmy said he expects all flights to be booked by the summer. Flyglobespan is flying to 13 destinations including London, Manchester, Glasgow, Dublin, Ireland, Edinburgh, Scotland, Birmingham and Liverpool. The lowest cost for a flight is $99, one way economy, with seats also selling for $129 and $399 business class, also one-way.

Mr. Elmy dismissed any possibility flyglobespan will end up like other airlines which have a successful launch in Hamilton, then a few years later leave the city.

Westjet, and Jetsgo, either ended their flights after high expectations, or in the case of Westjet moved to Pearson International in Toronto. Flyglobespan, based out of Edinburgh, left Pearson and established Hamilton as its eastern hub because of the low cost, easier transportation access and convenience for customers.

"I expect to be standing here two to three years from now talking to you about our continued success," said Mr. Elmy.

Flyglobespan is not a new company, officials say. It has been in the flight business for 20 years and recently has been associated with Air Transat. The company also flies to 20 destinations from the UK.

Richard Koroscil, president and chief executive officer of Hamilton International Airport, said other airlines are keeping a close eye on flyglobespan's operations in Hamilton.

"There has been a reluctance (among other airlines) to come this way," he said. "Now that flyglobespan is here there are a lot of people kind of wondering, looking at the cost advantage flyglobespan will have over them."

[SteelTown]

So when can we expect Hamilton Airport to face a major airport terminal expansion?