Hamilton International Airport

[ScreamingViking]

Looks like WestJet's move is starting to pay off.

• Video Link

And I can't help but think of this song now every time I hear Swoop... subbing in the "w" for the "h". I don't know why.

• Video Link

Play them both together for a mind-blowing sonic-meld.

[thistleclub]

Flair Airlines is leaving Hamilton for Toronto’s Pearson International Airport
(Toronto Star, August 3 2018)

Flair Airlines says it will leave Hamilton for Toronto’s Pearson International Airport as it plans to unveil its first flights to the United States.

The airline based in Kelowna, B.C., says its service will end in Hamilton on Oct. 27.…

The decision to leave Hamilton after two years comes a couple of months after WestJet Airlines launched Swoop, its ultra low cost subsidiary, that flies from Hamilton to Abbotsford, B.C., Edmonton, and Halifax.

Flair spokesperson Julie Rempel says the privately owned airline determined that the market size of the Hamilton area and increased competition from Swoop made Pearson a better option.


Six months earlier…

Flair Airlines' new CEO targets 1M passengers, but WestJet's Swoop may 'blanket-bomb' rival with ultra-low fares
(National Post, Alicja Siekierska, Jan 16 2018)

Excerpt:

Raymond James analyst Ben Cherniavsky said that WestJet’s ULCC Swoop — which is expected to begin selling tickets in February and begin flying in June — will “make it very difficult for any ULCC to stay in the air or get off the ground.”

When it comes to Flair’s change in management, Cherniavsky said in an email that it “does not increase their chances against Swoop.”

“They lack the costs, aircraft type, and balance sheet to compete,” he said.

Cherniavsky wrote in a detailed analysis sent to clients earlier this week that the launch of Swoop will serve as a defensive move for WestJet.

“By taking advantage of its established position, deep pockets, and strong understanding of the market, the company can quickly move in… blanket-bomb Canada with ultra-low fares and capitalize on the first-mover advantage,” he said.

“Effectively, we believe this will neutralize any new entrant and put a nail in the competitors like Flair.”

[LRTfan]

Originally Posted by King&James

Hope this guy doesn't come across some types of Hamilton radicals...

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busin...802-story.html

Lol...by radicals, you mean head-in-the-sand types correct?

[Altaflyer]

Anyone know how much $$ is in the account for improvements? When will we see improvements? I’ve been flying from this “bus terminal” for years and it’s pretty sad. $25 Per pax collected yet no improvements! Abbotsford eliminated their AIF making them a very competitive ULCC airport and smallish airports like Kelowna and Victoria have new terminals to show off! Hamilton? Nada.

[DDP]

Originally Posted by Altaflyer

Anyone know how much $$ is in the account for improvements? When will we see improvements? I’ve been flying from this “bus terminal” for years and it’s pretty sad. $25 Per pax collected yet no improvements! Abbotsford eliminated their AIF making them a very competitive ULCC airport and smallish airports like Kelowna and Victoria have new terminals to show off! Hamilton? Nada.

You won't see major money put into the terminal until they know airlines will stick around. The capital money has been focused on building up the cargo hub.

[Altaflyer]

Originally Posted by DDP

You won't see major money put into the terminal until they know airlines will stick around. The capital money has been focused on building up the cargo hub.

Can AIF money be used to improve cargo operations? While landing fee $$ might get co-mingled it seems that AIF money should not be spent in such a manner. Also, their 10 yr plan from 9 yrs ago had a 2 story terminal planned with projected passenger traffic in line with what it has been for the last 9 yrs. Where’s the terminal? Who’s accountable? Has the private operator pocketed the money? How do we know where the $$ is?

[NortheastWind]

Originally Posted by Altaflyer

Can AIF money be used to improve cargo operations? While landing fee $$ might get co-mingled it seems that AIF money should not be spent in such a manner. Also, their 10 yr plan from 9 yrs ago had a 2 story terminal planned with projected passenger traffic in line with what it has been for the last 9 yrs. Where’s the terminal? Who’s accountable? Has the private operator pocketed the money? How do we know where the $$ is?

The AIF goes to improving the airport, not just the terminal, hence why it's call an "Airport Improvement Fee. Improvements to the terminal building in the last several months include: washrooms renovated, expansion of the check-in area, kiosks added for self serve check-in, charging stations added for phones, tablets, etc., and a new walkway built onto the apron for international flights to keep the sun seekers out of the cold elements. They just did a parking lot rehabilitation and upgrade, a massive rehabilitation of one of the aprons, paving of runway 06/24 and paving of some airport roads. They also purchased new snow clearing equipment and installed a new back-up generator in case there's a power outage, to keep you getting to your destination.

As for the last terminal expansion plan, it was nixed when WestJet moved their hub to Toronto. It'll take a critical mass and long term commitment by the airlines for a new terminal to be built.

[JakeLRS]

Flair Air Winter Schedule Teaser

Flair Airines to fly to Florida from Hamilton this winter. Exact routes and days is currently unknown and should become clear in coming days. St-Petersburg/Clearwater expected to be part of it.

[drpgq]

Wait so Flair hasn't totally given up on Hamilton then?

Originally Posted by JakeLRS

Flair Air Winter Schedule Teaser

Flair Airines to fly to Florida from Hamilton this winter. Exact routes and days is currently unknown and should become clear in coming days. St-Petersburg/Clearwater expected to be part of it.

[Altaflyer]

Originally Posted by drpgq

Wait so Flair hasn't totally given up on Hamilton then?

No YHM flights for winter in Flair’s announcement today.

[JakeLRS]

Originally Posted by Altaflyer

No YHM flights for winter in Flair’s announcement today.

Guess that PIE-YHM was an accident on their system. Toronto landed Miami. Very unfortunate news, hoping they come back domestically next summer

[SteelTown]

Flair so far announced just Toronto to Miami. Seems like they are focusing more on Edmonton and Winnipeg.

[LikeHamilton]

Starting 14 March 2019, Westjet service from Hamilton will be with their new B737 MAX 8 aircraft. This is a slightly larger aircraft than the B737-800 they are operating on the route now.

[JakeLRS]

Swoop Carribien Routes?

Swoop has just been approved to fly to Mexico and Jamaica. I was on one of their flights last week and they said to stay tuned for these flights. I'm assuming they will be out of Hamiton and Edmonton. Expecting some more good news in the coming weeks!

[LikeHamilton]

Originally Posted by JakeLRS

Swoop Carribien Routes?

Swoop has just been approved to fly to Mexico and Jamaica. I was on one of their flights last week and they said to stay tuned for these flights. I'm assuming they will be out of Hamiton and Edmonton. Expecting some more good news in the coming weeks!

Swoop has applied for scheduled international service between Canada and Jamaica, Mexico, Dominican Republic and Cuba." It intends to commence commercial activities in Canada in late December 2018".

[JakeLRS]

Originally Posted by LikeHamilton

Starting 14 March 2019, Westjet service from Hamilton will be with their new B737 MAX 8 aircraft. This is a slightly larger aircraft than the B737-800 they are operating on the route now.

It might be a once in a while thing, not seeing this re-occurring after March 15.

[DDP]

Originally Posted by Altaflyer

Can AIF money be used to improve cargo operations? While landing fee $$ might get co-mingled it seems that AIF money should not be spent in such a manner. Also, their 10 yr plan from 9 yrs ago had a 2 story terminal planned with projected passenger traffic in line with what it has been for the last 9 yrs. Where’s the terminal? Who’s accountable? Has the private operator pocketed the money? How do we know where the $$ is?

AIF can be used anywhere, for the Airport its general revenue. in 2017 the Airport had 24 Million in revenue. The majority actually came from the Cargo side (about 60 %).

The airpot was cash flow positive by 8 million in 2017, all of that money was put back into the airport as capital improvements. That 8 million comes from everything, Landing fees, parking, AIF, cargo, terminal charges etc.

Remember for about 6 years the airport was doing traffic of about 350,000 people a year, you do not want to put a lot of capital if there was no clear signs for growth. It is only post 2017 we see solid growth in travelling numbers. 2017 was about 600,000, this year it is expected to be 750,000. The airport technically has a capacity of 3 million.

Just for reference Billy Bishop in Toronto does 3 Million people.

Hamilton is still quite small. No one really knows what the future of Flair is, how big Swoop will be, how many ULCC will come from Europe. No one wants to sink money into the airport if airlines pull back in a few years. Airlines seem to like trying routes out of Hamilton, but Pearson gives them a great offer and discounts and they flip to Toronto. Same could happen for something like Norwegian.

The last Liberal government of Ontario brought in 3 new taxes on flying domestically, adding in about 10-12 % to the price of our airline tickets. This hurts smaller airports more, and helps larger airports grow there hubs.

[LRTfan]

today's GIC agenda at city hall had an in-camera item pertaining to 'expansion or development possibilities' at the airport.

The item on the agenda said it was being kept private due to either a sale or disposition of lands.

[JakeLRS]

Swoop to fly to Montego Bay from YHM

Starting December 16, Swoop will begin flying to Montego Bay from YHM, this flight will be offered 2x weekly

Flights depart on Sunday’s and Wednesday’s.

[LikeHamilton]

Hamilton International Doubling Winter Flights For Coming Season

AIRLINES & AIRPORTS JIM BYERS SEPTEMBER 13, 2018

Ontario’s Hamilton International Airport has a full slate of winter flights on the way and twice the winter capacity as last year.

John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport is happy to announce that its winter seat capacity is twice the size of last year, thanks to the return of several popular destinations, as well as the launch of some new routes this winter. Whether passengers want to fly to destinations in Canada, Florida, Las Vegas, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe, Hamilton International wants customers to know ‘we fly there’.

Year-round service continues from Hamilton to Abbotsford, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal and Halifax with partners Air Canada, Swoop or WestJet. In October, Swoop will also introduce service to the popular U.S. destinations of Las Vegas, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Tampa Bay. Returning sun destinations in Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Mexico will be served by Air Transat, Sunwing or Swoop.

At the end of March, Norwegian Airlines will commence non-stop, daily service from Hamilton to Dublin, Ireland. This new route will be the Airport’s first and much-anticipated transatlantic service from Hamilton in 10 years.

Here are some additional details providing more information about the exciting 2018/2019 winter program for each airline flying from Hamilton International Airport:

– Air Canada will introduce a third daily flight from Hamilton to Montreal on October 29. This mid-day flight will offer fantastic options to passengers looking to travel from Hamilton to additional connecting destinations in Canada such as Ottawa, Quebec City and St. John’s through Air Canada’s Montreal hub. In addition, ideal connections are also available to the U.S. destinations of New York, Chicago, Boston; the Europe destinations of London, Paris and Frankfurt; and the destinations of Tokyo and Shanghai in Asia.

– Air Transat will bring back weekly flights to Cuba (Varadero – Saturday and Cayo Coco – Sunday), Dominican Republic (Punta Cana – Sunday and Puerto Plata – Monday) along with twice weekly to Mexico (Cancun – Tuesday, Saturday).

– Norwegian launches daily direct service from Hamilton to Dublin, Ireland beginning March 31, 2019. This new exciting transatlantic service will offer customers more connections throughout Europe via Dublin to destinations such as Oslo, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Helsinki.

– Sunwing will also offer weekly flights to Cuba (Varadero – Wednesday) and Dominican Republic (Punta Cana – Friday) along with air service to Jamaica (Montego Bay – Thursday).

– Swoop will offer a robust winter schedule for passengers looking to travel across Canada with daily frequencies to Abbotsford, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Halifax as well as popular U.S. destinations in Florida such as twice weekly flights to Fort Lauderdale (Friday, Saturday) as well as three times weekly service to Orlando (Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday) and Tampa Bay (Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday). Swoop will also operate four weekly flights to Las Vegas (Monday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday) from Hamilton. In addition to this list of destinations, today Swoop announced that this December it will begin service to Montego Bay, Jamaica twice weekly (Wednesday, Sunday).

– WestJet will continue to offer daily direct flights from Hamilton to Calgary which will offer travelers great connections to destinations in California, Hawaii and beyond.

Hamilton International remains your low-cost airport option for the busy winter and holiday travel season. Not only does Hamilton International host low-cost airlines, it offers low-cost parking options for as low as $15 a day. Easy access to Hamilton with minimal traffic congestion, and a short walk to the terminal and your gate make this an exciting time to fly from your low-cost airport.

https://ca.travelpulse.com/news/airl...ng-season.html