Atlantic Canada airport thread

[MonctonRad]

A few odds and ends from the GMIA:

1- The GMIA expects passenger load this year to surpass 640,000 which will be another new record. There were 615,000 passengers using the airport last year therefore this would be a (projected) 4.1% increase in passenger volume.

2- Representatives from United Airlines were in the city last week to reaffirm the partnership between the airline and the GMIA. The United representatives expressed a wish to make their airline the "preferred choice" for passengers using the airport. This is the seventh year of operation for the Moncton/Newark route and United Airlines expressed pleasure with how successful the route has been in the past and they are looking towards further success in the future. I don't know if this will translate into more flights than the one (and seasonally two) flights per day to Newark, but it certainly sounds as if the service is on a sound footing.

3- The precise length of the 06/24 runway at the GMIA is apparently 10,001 ft. Ron Robichaud, the chairman of the airport authority stated that the extra foot was intended to show that the GMIA was willing to go the "extra mile" to drum up business for the airport......

[Sunnybrae]

I"m very happy to hear that United is feeling good about the passenger loads. Hopefully Delta and AA will also be looking at what United is doing and investigate. I don't really care what hub they would come from but Moncton really does need another major carrier with a competing alliance.

More vacation charter airlines are good for the airport but that is not what stimulates the local economy. If the passenger numbers are up because of more charters taking vacationers away, does that really help the economy? I'm sure it does to some degree but business travel is what we really need.

I'm confident the GMIA will come through.

[stephan.richard]

What I would like to see out of the GMIA is a full time european flight, a fulltime flight to western Canada, and One to two more flights to US destinations. But that is just a pipedream..

[ghYHZ]

Originally Posted by Sunnybrae

I"m very happy to hear that United is feeling good about the passenger loads. Hopefully Delta and AA will also be looking at what United is doing and investigate. I don't really care what hub they would come from but Moncton really does need another major carrier with a competing alliance.......

I’d be surprised if AA started YQM…….they’ve even pulled out of YHZ.

……..But possibly Delta and it would be nice to see a flight to BOS once again. This was a busy route 20 years ago:

Beginning in the spring of 1992 NorthWest Airlink had the Maritimes pretty well covered with routes between BOS-YQM-YYG and BOS-YQM-YHZ……also BOS-YSJ and BOS-YFC. Business must have been good with up to five flights a day each way just between Boston and Moncton alone and some even up-gauged from Metros to Dash-8s. After their demise, BEX (Business Express (Delta) serviced the BOS-YQM and BOS-YHZ routes.

[MonctonRad]

It is curious that there isn't better connections from the Maritimes to Logan International Airport in Boston.

Boston is the metropolis for northeastern North America and every city in the region should have daily flights to and from Logan. I think they would be popular. I know I would use it. There are many continuing medical education activities at Harvard University that I would consider taking in if there were a direct connection.

I could see myself using such a service pretty much on a yearly basis.

[ghYHZ]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

It is curious that there isn't better connections from the Maritimes to Logan International Airport in Boston.

A few years ago it was BOS that was linked to the Maritimes with service on Air Canada (Air Nova) Air Atlantic, NorthWest Airlink, Business Express (Delta) and for awhile Eastern (Airlines) Express. The only service to New York was on Air Canada and later Air Nova.

Then Continental started EWR-YHZ and AA: JFK-YHZ. Delta also did JFK-YHZ and now LGA-YHZ.

Service to BOS gradually ended with only AC Express (Jazz) left now.

Guess the supposedly strong links between BOS/New England and the Maritimes just aren’t there or with the high air fares and much better roads now……just as easy to drive.

…….or is it the onward connections that were once available in BOS are now much better through New York?

[Trevor3]

Originally Posted by ghYHZ

A few years ago it was BOS that was linked to the Maritimes with service on Air Canada (Air Nova) Air Atlantic, NorthWest Airlink, Business Express (Delta) and for awhile Eastern (Airlines) Express. The only service to New York was on Air Canada and later Air Nova.

Then Continental started EWR-YHZ and AA: JFK-YHZ. Delta also did JFK-YHZ and now LGA-YHZ.

Service to BOS gradually ended with only AC Express (Jazz) left now.

Guess the supposedly strong links between BOS/New England and the Maritimes just aren’t there or with the high air fares and much better roads now……just as easy to drive.

…….or is it the onward connections that were once available in BOS are now much better through New York?

Probably a bit of both. I have relatives in Moncton that will drive to Boston and fly from there to their final destination. It's just that much cheaper than driving to Halifax and flying to Boston.

St. John's (not maritimes, but still atlantic) has a non-stop flight to Newark which makes all the connections from Newark, and also JFK and Laguardia, readily accessible. A connection to Boston could never compete with that.

[Sunnybrae]

Originally Posted by ghYHZ

I’d be surprised if AA started YQM…….they’ve even pulled out of YHZ.

……..But possibly Delta and it would be nice to see a flight to BOS once again. This was a busy route 20 years ago:

Beginning in the spring of 1992 NorthWest Airlink had the Maritimes pretty well covered with routes between BOS-YQM-YYG and BOS-YQM-YHZ……also BOS-YSJ and BOS-YFC. Business must have been good with up to five flights a day each way just between Boston and Moncton alone and some even up-gauged from Metros to Dash-8s. After their demise, BEX (Business Express (Delta) serviced the BOS-YQM and BOS-YHZ routes.

Well you might have AA back at YHZ from PHL if the merger with US goes through. I would also think that an AA flight would originate from PHL to YQM if AA ever did want to come to Moncton.

I do believe the better bet would be Delta. They are having record breaking profits as of late. They would probably come from the hub at JFK.

[Sunnybrae]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

It is curious that there isn't better connections from the Maritimes to Logan International Airport in Boston.

Boston is the metropolis for northeastern North America and every city in the region should have daily flights to and from Logan. I think they would be popular. I know I would use it. There are many continuing medical education activities at Harvard University that I would consider taking in if there were a direct connection.

I could see myself using such a service pretty much on a yearly basis.

Well, AC wants us to use YHZ. BOS is not a hub for any major so...... Not sure why an LCC or regional won't other than more profitable routes out there or aircraft availability. I know BOS is a focus city for B6 but, come to think of it, does any american LCC fly to Canada?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Sunnybrae

Well, AC wants us to use YHZ. BOS is not a hub for any major so...... Not sure why an LCC or regional won't other than more profitable routes out there or aircraft availability. I know BOS is a focus city for B6 but, come to think of it, does any american LCC fly to Canada?

Had to look up a couple of those acronyms and abbreviations....

LCC = low cost carrier.
B6 = Jet Blue Airways

[Sunnybrae]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Had to look up a couple of those acronyms and abbreviations....

LCC = low cost carrier.
B6 = Jet Blue Airways

Yah... sorry about that!

[stephan.richard]

But for Moncton to have another US carrier in the province would mean having the business community in YFC, YSJ, YCH and ZBF to work with the GMIA to attract a new US air carrier and use Maritime bus to ensure the connections to those mentioned cities. But only time will tell.

I wish we could return to some of the direct Canadian flights we had with Canada 3000 with a direct and affordable link to the west.... And hope that PASCAN lowers their prices to make their flights more affordable.

[ghYHZ]

Originally Posted by Sunnybrae

Well you might have AA back at YHZ from PHL if the merger with US goes through.

Yes it would be nice to see AA back.

When they were last here the service was operated by American Eagle on ERJ’s to JFK.

(the former President of American Eagle Airlines is a graduate of St FX University in Antigonish and for several years it was interesting to see ads for the AA service to JFK on the boards around the ice surface in the St FX Rink)

I do believe the better bet would be Delta. They are having record breaking profits as of late. They would probably come from the hub at JFK.

That's the route Delta operates to YYG in the summer.

Delta's YHZ route uses LGA in New York as US Pre-clearance is available in Halifax prior to departure. (There are no Customs facilities at LaGuardia Airport)

[homebody]

Originally Posted by stephan.richard

But for Moncton to have another US carrier in the province would mean having the business community in YFC, YSJ, YCH and ZBF to work with the GMIA to attract a new US air carrier and use Maritime bus to ensure the connections to those mentioned cities. But only time will tell.

I wish we could return to some of the direct Canadian flights we had with Canada 3000 with a direct and affordable link to the west.... And hope that PASCAN lowers their prices to make their flights more affordable.

Really??? Its the craziest thing I have ever read in these posts! I really dont think you will have the buisiness community of Saint John or any other of the cities mentioned work with YQM to attract another airline. Especially since they are trying to attract carriers of their own. As a matter of fact. YSJ is very close to landing its own US carrier into New York or Phlilly with U.S. Airways. Pascan. I give it 6 months. Too expensive. Can fly with Air Canada for about the same price. If booked in advance

[MonctonRad]

Have to agree with homebody (as surprising as this seems).

It is a dog eat dog competitive world out there as far as the province's airports are concerned. The airports live and die based on how successful they are and how much they make in landing fees and airport improvement fees. All cities in NB view their own airports as important economic generators for their respective communities (which they are).

As such, I can't see Freddy or SJ teaming up to provide a bus service to the GMIA.

It ain't gonna fly (pun intended).

[stephan.richard]

I Hope that Allegiant comes to the Maritimes IE YHZ. YQM, YYT. I was looking at some of their prices and that are goo like a package to Las Vegas leaving from Plattsburgh New yor for two Round trip and hotel at the Riviera for 7 day and the price for two is 684.00 for the whole trip...Here in Canada you could not do it for that.

And I wish Moncton could be used as a central airport for the Maritimes but that will never happen but what I proposed with the BUS link would be to tie in the airport with maritime bus.

I hope we get to see more AFFORDABLE flight options out of YQM only time will tell..

[MonctonRad]

Maritime Bus already stops at the GMIA. It also serves the airports in Fredericton and Halifax as well.......

[Good2go]

From C103's web site...

New air carrier
PASCAN is launching a Fall campaign to promote their new Moncton to St. John's, Newfoundland direct route, which goes into effect on Monday, November fourth. The company has announced an introductory price of $550 for a round-trip all inclusive direct flight. The introductory price will remain in effect until January 24th of next year. The new Monday-to-Friday service will see the direct flight leave Moncton at 7:00 in the morning and arrive in St. John's at 9:30 local time. The return flight leaves St.John's at 10:00 in the morning (local time) and arrives in Moncton at 11:30.

[BlackYear]

Originally Posted by Good2go

From C103's web site...

New air carrier
PASCAN is launching a Fall campaign to promote their new Moncton to St. John's, Newfoundland direct route, which goes into effect on Monday, November fourth. The company has announced an introductory price of $550 for a round-trip all inclusive direct flight. The introductory price will remain in effect until January 24th of next year. The new Monday-to-Friday service will see the direct flight leave Moncton at 7:00 in the morning and arrive in St. John's at 9:30 local time. The return flight leaves St.John's at 10:00 in the morning (local time) and arrives in Moncton at 11:30.

That should be regular pricing as far as I'm concern. Plus I'm not even sure if this enough. I can easily jump into my car, drive 2 hours south to Halifax and pay $280 tax in return flying Porter. For a married couple, that's 2 for 1 savings. The 2 hour drive one way plus car fuel isn't really an inconvenience.

I realize that PASCAN has a smaller aircraft, and they may have no choice to charge the higher price, but for the consumer, we are always looking for the best deal.

[jeddy1989]

Originally Posted by Good2go

From C103's web site...

New air carrier
PASCAN is launching a Fall campaign to promote their new Moncton to St. John's, Newfoundland direct route, which goes into effect on Monday, November fourth. The company has announced an introductory price of $550 for a round-trip all inclusive direct flight. The introductory price will remain in effect until January 24th of next year. The new Monday-to-Friday service will see the direct flight leave Moncton at 7:00 in the morning and arrive in St. John's at 9:30 local time. The return flight leaves St.John's at 10:00 in the morning (local time) and arrives in Moncton at 11:30.

That's still about the same price (from the St. John's side) as a round trip to Toronto or NYC, I guess if you're doing this for business and you need it to be quick and direct... and a couple hundred more for convenience ... I guess