Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW/CYOW) 1.0

[fanofYOW]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

I've connected to international and trans-border, taken the train, taken the AirFrance bus, and driven and honestly driving is my preferred option. As others have pointed out the cost of driving and parking is a bit hidden so it depends on the itinerary.

Yes for sure, I'm speaking as a single traveller. I travel often and haven't found the savings of driving to YUL personally, but hey if someone else does, more power to them. For me it's mostly about convenience. I personally want to go through a less busy airport in terms of checking in and security and those hidden costs you mentioned. But also deep down, part of it is because I don't want to give airlines that satisfaction. No options in YOW means they will have to get me to YUL some way or another. Preferably by plane so I would choose AC. At least then the check in and security is done and over with.

[YOWflier]

Originally Posted by roger1818

As I have said before, Flair is fine for those who have a flexible travel schedule and can work around cancelled outbound or return flights. Just make sure to check when Flair's next flight (or two) would be and decide if those flights would be acceptable alternatives. If so, great! If not, you might want to think twice.

Yep, not my first rodeo so I’m well covered all around. A $200 tax in. r/t nonstop during peak season is a gamble worth taking. My situation isn’t all that unique either…tons of snowbirds (I’m not…yet) are in a similar situation.

Originally Posted by YOWetal

Meanwhile Ottawa sitting over here saying. "We are 6-12 months behind the revenge travel thread sitting on that much more cash and afraid to fly to Toronto or Montreal. Give us any direct flight at any price." OK last part a stretch we will totally drive to Syracuse to save $12 on a flight to Boston.

Revenge travel thread?

[OTSkyline]

They were originally booked on a direct flight with Flair, but Flair cancelled and delayed the start of their YOW-FLL flights by several weeks (hence why it wasn't a good option anymore).

Thank you for the feedback though, I do see AC offers direct as of the 30th, so will definitely be recommending that option. Thanks everyone

[YOWflier]

^ those are grounds for a refund (and maybe more) under APPR. Request it, claim it if necessary, and put them on the AC nonstops starting 30th.

https://otc-cta.gc.ca/eng/publication/flight-delays-and-cancellations-a-guide

[OTSkyline]

Yes, they definitely tried to push for a credit but we stood our ground firm on a refund - citing the rules and were successful in getting our money back, thanks.

[caveat.doctor]

From Tuesday morning: queues at security are long as previously mentioned (hope you have Nexus!):





But this is new: no need to take your electronics out of the bag, a trial run:



Luck of the draw on whether you're picked to that line. Seemed that more people than usual were getting their bags picked for manual inspection (in fact the diversion conveyor for manual inspection was backed up, maybe 10 people waiting to be cleared), but if you managed to escape that, it seemed to go faster.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by fanofYOW

Yes for sure, I'm speaking as a single traveller. I travel often and haven't found the savings of driving to YUL personally, but hey if someone else does, more power to them. For me it's mostly about convenience. I personally want to go through a less busy airport in terms of checking in and security and those hidden costs you mentioned. But also deep down, part of it is because I don't want to give airlines that satisfaction. No options in YOW means they will have to get me to YUL some way or another. Preferably by plane so I would choose AC. At least then the check in and security is done and over with.

I certainly will pay extra for a non-stop flight out of YOW, but when travelling with a family, that extra can add up and make alternatives more attractive. I respect those who want to martyr themselves by making a connection out of YOW, but understand why it isn't for everyone.

Regarding an earlier comment about driving to SYR, that was attractive earlier in the year when a COVID test (once again not a trivial cost for a family) was required to fly to the USA but not when driving (silly rule), especially if you could get a non-stop flight out of SYR, but not YOW. Now that that flying and driving are the same, it likely isn't worth the effort.

[fanofYOW]

Originally Posted by roger1818

I certainly will pay extra for a non-stop flight out of YOW, but when travelling with a family, that extra can add up and make alternatives more attractive. I respect those who want to martyr themselves by making a connection out of YOW, but understand why it isn't for everyone.

Regarding an earlier comment about driving to SYR, that was attractive earlier in the year when a COVID test (once again not a trivial cost for a family) was required to fly to the USA but not when driving (silly rule), especially if you could get a non-stop flight out of SYR, but not YOW. Now that that flying and driving are the same, it likely isn't worth the effort.

Agreed. I too would pay extra to fly out of YOW. I hope Porter comes through for us.

About the security pictures - Wow, it looks so busy. I applied for NEXUS the day before NEXUS was all over the news about backlog. Looks like I'll be waiting a good year.

[YOWflier]

You will wait. Talk about another government service let down, NEXUS enrolment centers in Canada remain closed for some reason (the US ones reopened months ago). So if you’re a new applicant, or your membership lapsed during COVID and are seeking renewal, you’re out of luck since you can’t get your interview. You’ll be stuck in a conditional approval status indefinitely.

[Coho]

Originally Posted by FlyYOW

You will wait. Talk about another government service let down, NEXUS enrolment centers in Canada remain closed for some reason (the US ones reopened months ago). So if you’re a new applicant, or your membership lapsed during COVID and are seeking renewal, you’re out of luck since you can’t get your interview. You’ll be stuck in a conditional approval status indefinitely.

I believe it's due to a dispute where US CBP agents want to be allowed to carry their firearms inside NEXUS enrolment centres, something they are currently not permitted to do.

[Dominion301]

Originally Posted by FlyYOW

You will wait. Talk about another government service let down, NEXUS enrolment centers in Canada remain closed for some reason (the US ones reopened months ago). So if you’re a new applicant, or your membership lapsed during COVID and are seeking renewal, you’re out of luck since you can’t get your interview. You’ll be stuck in a conditional approval status indefinitely.

Canada remains closed because they're working on a compromise for involving giving American Nexus staff guns. Something the Americans want and we don't. It'll no doubt work itself out at some point. Culture clash right there.

[YOWflier]

Thanks for the info!

Is it the same reason why the virtual interview option exists but there are exactly zero appointments available? (refusal to staff the Zoom calls?)

[PHrenetic]

Good Day.

I do not know if you would be able to take advantage of this , but....

In reading (mainline) media articles about this very subject over the last few months,
it was apparent that some Canadians have been able to complete their NEXUS applications, including the interview(s),
by applying to have the remainder of their processing fulfilled at a U.S. facility.
I believe there may have to be some reason for the transfer for completion, but I do not think it was particularly onerous,
judging by the descriptions of those in the articles who have done it.
It does mean you have to get an appointment in a U.S. facility (just where I do not recall), and travel there to do so.
And whether you can juggle the appointment with your scheduled travel is a different question.

It may be worth your researching the topic.

Hope it helps.

[Dominion301]

Today's departure count: 69

Today's cancellation count: 1

[fanofYOW]

Originally Posted by Dominion301

Today's departure count: 69

Today's cancellation count: 1

So close to the 70's. I wonder how much lower the numbers will be in July in comparison to June after all the cancellations and drop in service from airlines. One more week until they release the July numbers.

[Dominion301]

Today's departure count: 71

Today's cancellation count: 1

[Dominion301]

Originally Posted by fanofYOW

So close to the 70's. I wonder how much lower the numbers will be in July in comparison to June after all the cancellations and drop in service from airlines. One more week until they release the July numbers.

They actually got them out before the weekend.

Sector / Jul-21 / Jul-22 / % Change
Dom: 116,171 / 293,192 / +152.4% - this surpasses July 2010, but that's not hard with July 2010 having had 81,828 non-domestic pax.
TB: 0 / 13,328 / #DIV/0!
Int'l: 0 / 0 / #DIV/0!
TTL: 116,171 / 306,520 / +163.9%

Sector / YTD 2021 / YTD 2022 / % Change
Dom: 278,434 / 1,373,110 / +393.2%
TB: 0 / 76,532 / #DIV/0!
Int'l: 0 / 42,722 / #DIV/0!
TTL: 278,434 / 1,492,364 / +436.0%

Month-Over-Month Change
Sector / Jun-21 / Jul-21 / % Change
Dom: 283,120 / 293,192 / +3.6%
TB: 14,639 / 13,328 / -9.0%
Int'l: 0 / 0 / #DIV/0!
TTL: 297,759 / 306,520 / +2.9%
Avg/Day: 9,925 / 9,888 / -0.4% - so the fewer flights in July vs June resulted in a slightly lower average daily pax count, but much higher load factors. I bet June was in the mid 70s, while I bet July was in the high 80s.
2019 daily average: 13,990
Traffic recovered to 70.7% of 2019's daily average or -0.2% vs June's 70.9%

12 Months Rolling / % Change vs Year End 2020
Dom: 2,238,626 / +116.9%
TB: 87,774 / -46.2%
Int'l: 58,319 / -65.4%
TTL: 2,384,719 / +74.9%

[Dominion301]

Today's departure count: 67

Today's cancellation count: 1

[ars]

Have a trip to Europe coming up where we were originally supposed to fly out of YOW and connect in YYZ. The Ottawa to Toronto leg of our trip ended up getting canceled and we had to rebook through YUL(going to drive there). I really miss having a European connection through YOW

[Truenorth00]

Of all flights to get cancelled, what airline would cancel YOW-YTO?