The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[Southpaw78]

Originally Posted by dhottawa729

Porter Airlines is rapidly expanding; perhaps that is the partner. Just two years ago they were only between Montreal and Toronto Island and since then they've added Ottawa, Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Saint John's, Halifax, Moncton and a few destinations in the States. They provide the lowest fares we've seen in Canada for a long time.

Their service isn't too bad either. I've flown with them a few times...You get free booze

[Freddypop]

Originally Posted by homebody

I heard a pretty interesting rumour today. Part of the Saint John Airports future expansion plan is to partner with an existing airline to make the airport a hub. Now quick deduction leaves Westjet as the only possible candidate. Considering Air Canada's hub is already in Halifax. Negotiations are supposed to be ongoing. it would kinda make sense i guess. The airport probably has the lowest costs involved in doing this type of thing I guess.

Check out Porter expansion plans from Toronto Star. Mention of next NB city to be added...

http://www.thestar.com/business/article/816104--porter-sets-5-50-a-share-price-for-ipo

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Freddypop

Check out Porter expansion plans from Toronto Star. Mention of next NB city to be added...

http://www.thestar.com/business/article/816104--porter-sets-5-50-a-share-price-for-ipo

The major burr under the Saint John Airport's saddle is not the GMIA, it's the Fredericton International Airport. Being close to Bangor also doesn't help.

I think a lot of airlines view Saint John and Freddy as a single market serving western and southern NB. Moncton on the other hand is probably percieved as a different market (eastern & northern NB as well as northwestern NS and to a lesser extent PEI).

I'm not surprised that Porter would look at serving Fredericton next. Perhaps you guys should look at a single regional airport located halfway up route 7.

[cl812]

Yeah, I think Fredericton actually has slightly higher passenger volumes than Saint John so its not a big surprise it would be considered next. Its likely becuase of the government and large engineering/IT base in Fredericton. Having CFB Gagetown a few minutes away probably helps with the numbers as well.

[nwalbert]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

The major burr under the Saint John Airport's saddle is not the GMIA, it's the Fredericton International Airport. Being close to Bangor also doesn't help.

I think a lot of airlines view Saint John and Freddy as a single market serving western and southern NB. Moncton on the other hand is probably percieved as a different market (eastern & northern NB as well as northwestern NS and to a lesser extent PEI).

I'm not surprised that Porter would look at serving Fredericton next. Perhaps you guys should look at a single regional airport located halfway up route 7.

It would be great to see Porter add Fredericton and see WestJet expand their operations at YSJ. I just landed at YSJ about 30 minutes ago and the AC flight attendant was telling me there are plans to expand their service at YSJ as well due to flight load. I can say from first hand experience it is very difficult to get last minutes seats in/out of the airport.

I know for some reason you view the Moncton airport differently than Saint John or Fredericton but other than Newark, it serves the exact same locations with the same airlines and the passenger numbers are low enough that all combined are less than a third of Halifax. To the rest of the world, they are small airports in cities they have never heard of (Except SJ cause they think its NFLD)

Good news all around.

[Freddypop]

Saint John also has the "weather factor" to contend with. Last time I heard pilots and passengers were complaining about the number of flights that have to be diverted to Fredericton or Moncton due to fog.

Not sure if it makes a good business case to set-up shop with that being the case but could be solved with installation of new ILS...but cost big $$$$

[kwajo]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

The major burr under the Saint John Airport's saddle is not the GMIA, it's the Fredericton International Airport. Being close to Bangor also doesn't help.

I think a lot of airlines view Saint John and Freddy as a single market serving western and southern NB. Moncton on the other hand is probably percieved as a different market (eastern & northern NB as well as northwestern NS and to a lesser extent PEI).

I'm not surprised that Porter would look at serving Fredericton next. Perhaps you guys should look at a single regional airport located halfway up route 7.

Where exactly would an airport fit halfway up Route 7? Last time I checked there was a massive Canadian Forces Base in the way, and everything else is very hilly or dotted with lakes. Plus IMO it would be a waste to invest in building a regional NB airport and not include Moncton. All three airports need to be replaced by a single Southern NB facility, somewhere around Sussex or Belleisle for example.

[nwalbert]

Originally Posted by Freddypop

Saint John also has the "weather factor" to contend with. Last time I heard pilots and passengers were complaining about the number of flights that have to be diverted to Fredericton or Moncton due to fog.

Not sure if it makes a good business case to set-up shop with that being the case but could be solved with installation of new ILS...but cost big $$$$

I have been warned probably five times leaving Toronto that we may not land in Saint John, including last night. However last night our alternate airport was Quebec City, and most times its Halifax. This happens very infrequently. The new lights are already planned, and the neither Moncton or Fredericton are equipped to handle the extra planes from staffing point of view.

So yes there is fog but it doesn't cause planes to be diverted very often and not to other NB airports and should soon be rectified when the new lights are installed.

[nwalbert]

Originally Posted by kwajo

Where exactly would an airport fit halfway up Route 7? Last time I checked there was a massive Canadian Forces Base in the way, and everything else is very hilly or dotted with lakes. Plus IMO it would be a waste to invest in building a regional NB airport and not include Moncton. All three airports need to be replaced by a single Southern NB facility, somewhere around Sussex or Belleisle for example.

Agree completely with this statement. If we had one NB airport, similar to NS we could potentially get some decent routes. Having a direct to Chicago would be fantastic.

[kwajo]

I was thinking this morning that we need some photo updates of developments around the city, and since it's a big job for one person to take on, maybe we could distribute the task a little and try to get a series of updates posted sometime in the next week. Here's a list of projects under construction that we're a bit behind on:

- Eastern Wastewater Treatment Facility
- NBCC Expansion
- East Point shoppes
- One Mile Interchange (although there was a recent photo of this one)
- Harbourfront Residences
- Fortress of Vengeance
- Tannery Court
- Abbey St. Andrews
- QPlex
- UNBSJ buildings (is it 3 new ones they're working on? I always forget the exact number)
- Regional Hospital
- Any of the numerous housing developments around the city
- Anything else I may have forgotten

I'll volunteer to do the NBCC and wastewater treatment facility photos, and I'll see if I can get out to the Qplex too. Any volunteers for the rest?

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by kwajo

All three airports need to be replaced by a single Southern NB facility, somewhere around Sussex or Belleisle for example.

This this this this this.

Originally Posted by kwajo

I was thinking this morning that we need some photo updates of developments around the city, and since it's a big job for one person to take on, maybe we could distribute the task a little and try to get a series of updates posted sometime in the next week. Here's a list of projects under construction that we're a bit behind on:

I was responsible for the OMI photo, huh?

I will volunteer for UNBSJ & Regional Hospital. There are a couple of projects going on at UNBSJ right now (Stadium, Commons, New Parking Lot, Dal Med Building, NBCC Allied Health Building.)

When i'm uptown at any point I will also do a sweep of Tannery, St. Andrews and Harbourfront. I just began a job yesterday so my photo-taking time has been cut into a very small percentage of what it used to be.

[Freddypop]

Originally Posted by nwalbert

I have been warned probably five times leaving Toronto that we may not land in Saint John, including last night. However last night our alternate airport was Quebec City, and most times its Halifax. This happens very infrequently. The new lights are already planned, and the neither Moncton or Fredericton are equipped to handle the extra planes from staffing point of view.

So yes there is fog but it doesn't cause planes to be diverted very often and not to other NB airports and should soon be rectified when the new lights are installed.

The installation of new lights is essentially a maintenace issue and won't impact greatly on improving the ability to land flights in poor weather. What I was referring to was a CAT III ILS system. I know St John's, NL is in the process of making a case to the levels of government for one and the price tag is about 25 million!

http://www.thetelegram.com/index.cfm?sid=339651&sc=79

[nwalbert]

Originally Posted by Freddypop

The installation of new lights is essentially a maintenace issue and won't impact greatly on improving the ability to land flights in poor weather. What I was referring to was a CAT III ILS system. I know St John's, NL is in the process of making a case to the levels of government for one and the price tag is about 25 million!

http://www.thetelegram.com/index.cfm?sid=339651&sc=79

Interesting stuff.

Like I said, as someone who has flown over 400 segments with AC over the last three years based out of SJ, I have never been diverted, so I dont suspect this little airport would spend that much $$.

Although most likely I just jinxed myself for the next flight. Thanks!

[Freddypop]

Originally Posted by nwalbert

Interesting stuff.

Like I said, as someone who has flown over 400 segments with AC over the last three years based out of SJ, I have never been diverted, so I dont suspect this little airport would spend that much $$.

Although most likely I just jinxed myself for the next flight. Thanks!

I suspect what the SJ Airport is installing is what is refered to as "low visibility taxi lights". These are great once you are on the ground but not much use for landing in foggy conditions.

BTW, You must be in the air as much as I am Funny thing is that the only time I have been diverted was actually into YSJ as the ILS system in Freddy was struck by lightning a few years back.

[nwalbert]

There is a press conference scheduled at Harbour Station this morning to officially announce the new Saint John professional basketball team. I am personally a big basketball fan and really excited about this.

The fact that Saint John will also be hosting the High School basketball Provincial championships over the next three years should really help the sports popularity in the city. Great news!

[Joe]

Are you sure it's this morning? I thought it was on June 21st.

[nwalbert]

Reading the CBC article, it sounds like you are correct. Thought I heard on the radio last night that it was today, but I must have misheard.

Still very cool though. I will be getting season tickets.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by nwalbert

Still very cool though. I will be getting season tickets.

Do we have any idea how much the tickets will be ranging from?

[nwalbert]

Originally Posted by GregHickman

Do we have any idea how much the tickets will be ranging from?

I have not heard anything official. I seem to recall reading they would be in the $10 range in one of the articles. There are only 10 home games, so at that price point I would expect them to get a pretty decent crowd out.

[Wishblade]

The tickets for the games in Halifax seem to range between $17 and $22 a game. So Im assuming it will be similar in Saint John.