Hamilton International Airport

[NortheastWind]

They are moving along quite quickely at the new KF Aerospace hangar.
Here's Reimar Forming's Tweet

[LikeHamilton]

Norwegian reduces Hamilton service in July 2019

Posted By Jim Liu, Routes OnLine 22 April 2019

Norwegian in recent schedule update is reducing Dublin – Hamilton service, for the month of July 2019. From 06JUL19 to 28JUL19, the airline will operate this route 3 times a week, instead of 4. Schedule on/after 01AUG19 remains pending.

This route is operated by Norwegian Air International’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

D81840 DUB1440 – 1725YHM 73H 135
D81841 YHM1945 – 0725+1DUB 73H 5
D81841 YHM1945 – 0800+1DUB 73H 13

https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/air...n-reduces-hamilton-service-in-july-2019/

They have had problems with using the B737-800 aircraft on this route. Most of the flights from Dublin have had to stop in Goose Bay, Labrador for fuel. The out bound to Dublin has not had the problem. They would not have this problem with the B737-Max 8.
Outbound flights to Dublin are showing sold out until May 3rd.

[LikeHamilton]

First steel has been delivered to the site of the new KF Aerospace hangar.

[SteelTown]

Well arriving back this morning the airplane parked next to a Porter plane. Whatcha doing at YHM, Porter?



Days like today I wish YHM had jet bridges as I was soaked. At least have the ramps/stairs covered.

[DDP]

For the above Porter flight it was either too late in the day so could not land at Billy Bishop (they have a curfew), or there was a fog issue. Porter was sending a lot of flights back to Ottawa/Montreal the other day.

Porter uses Hamilton to land planes when it can't land at Billy Bishop and buses the people back to Toronto.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

The stairs aren't even covered? Come on. No thanks.

[LikeHamilton]

The airport has had plans in the past to put in covered walkways and bridges over the years. The airlines have said NO and that they will not use them. They are happy with the way it is.

Airline pay for everything they use at an airport. Stairs are the cheapest, then a ramp and then bridges. Stairs are a problem with people who have mobility issues and the airlines have to figure out how to get people with mobility issues on and off an aircraft. At Hamilton, the airlines will usually use the stairs at one door and a ramp at a second door when using 2 doors. If it is one door, then it is a ramp. Some onetime charters like a sports team will use only stairs.

Hamilton Airport does not own any of the stairs or ramps that the airlines use. They are owned by the ground handling companies contracted by the airlines. The airlines tells the ground handlers what kind of service they are willing to pay for. Baggage handling, fueling, cleaning of the aircraft, towing etc. are specified and they usually take the lowest bid.

At some airports, you see aircraft parked remote to the terminal and people are bused. I have had that with Westjet in Paris and Air Canada Rouge in Venice. Usually it is not due to lack of gate space but is the cost. At London Heathrow, at some gates, at peak time they will charge in 2 minute increments for parking at a gate.

If you want not to walk outside at Hamilton, you have to complain to owners of the airlines. Don’t bother complaining to the airline staff at the airport as they are standing for a longer period of time in the rain, snow, cold etc. with you. Hopefully in the future the airport will build some covered walkways and ramps regardless of the ultra-low cost airline have said they want.

[movingtohamilton]

Thanks, LikeHamilton. This is one of the most informative posts I have ever read on the Hamilton forums.

[ScreamingViking]

Very enlightening. I thought the airport provided those services.

Thanks LikeHamilton.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

I travel far too much. I'm sick of airports and the whole bloody deal. Air travel has become remarkably cheap over the years and we have to accept the consequences.

Endless delays and zero comfort
*Off the top of my head, I'd say roughly half my flights are delayed. In fact, I just assume they will be at this point and plan around it.
*Security checks are interminable and sometimes stressful.
*At some of the larger airports, there aren't enough toilets or places to sit while you wait.
*After waiting, you're shoehorned onto a bus and, with 75 of your closest friends, you commute 10-15 mins to some far-flung area of the tarmac to board your flight.
*Then you squeeze into your seat - you're screwed if you're over 6ft tall.

This is the price we pay for the democratisation of air travel. Fair enough but I pity the fool who can't afford Business Class. Rant over.

[LikeHamilton]

Dr Awesomesauce

As someone who travels a lot....I agree with everything you said.

[king10]

So Drakes new private jet (in partnership with Cargojet) has been hanging around YHM the last little while.

https://simpleflying.com/air-drake/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28b1HezIFI8

[DDP]

Anyone think Onex buying out Westjet means the end of Swoop (which supposedly is losing money)? Could be big hit for airport.

If Air Canada buys out Transat as well, they could be shifting a lot of the leisure flights back to YYZ too.

Both of the acquisitions IMO don't bode well for YHM.

[King&James]

Swwop is defensive and proactive mode. Two ULCC are coming ,and until they do , i dont see Onex pulling plug.

On Transat, if they do pull up stakes, Sunwing will take up demand or Swoop will. Putting more trans-atlantic routes / options in YHM would rapidly expand alure to make the airport the bonafide ulcc hub for Canada.

[DDP]

Originally Posted by King&James

Swwop is defensive and proactive mode. Two ULCC are coming ,and until they do , i dont see Onex pulling plug.

On Transat, if they do pull up stakes, Sunwing will take up demand or Swoop will. Putting more trans-atlantic routes / options in YHM would rapidly expand alure to make the airport the bonafide ulcc hub for Canada.

Flair has a sweetheart deal at Pearson for off time flights so they are no longer a real threat at YHM.

Jetliners, let's see how big they get.

My first is consolidation means less options and smaller airports get hit the hardest, and that is what Hamilton tends to be.

[YYCguys]

Originally Posted by DDP

Anyone think Onex buying out Westjet means the end of Swoop (which supposedly is losing money)? Could be big hit for airport.

If Air Canada buys out Transat as well, they could be shifting a lot of the leisure flights back to YYZ too.

Both of the acquisitions IMO don't bode well for YHM.

Swoop hasn’t been around that long. Doesn’t it usually take an airline 3-5 years to start making money? Give it a chance!

[ScreamingViking]

Everything is going to be a challenge until a threshold level of stable demand is met.

[LikeHamilton]

The first steel is up on the new KF Aerospace hangers at Hamilton. Not bad as ground breaking was only 3 month ago.

Steel has started at KF by R L, on Flickr

20190513_163431 by R L, on Flickr

[LikeHamilton]

Swoop celebrated its 1 millionth passenger yesterday. Flight 102 from Edmonton arrived at Hamilton at 5 pm. They won 2 tickets anywhere Swoop fly's.

Swoop started service June 19th last year so a little less than a year in service. Their 7th plane went into service this week. 3 more coming this year. Westjet getting max planes are holding it up.

[SteelTown]

• Video Link