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

[Dominion301]

Originally Posted by Coho

I would love for Porter to start YOW-YYJ as part of their E195 expansion out of Ottawa. Taking F8 on the route in June but just status matched to Porter from WestJet and would love to try out their Embraer

I think YOW-YYJ on PD will come in due time at least on a summer seasonal basis once the trunk routes are built up and there are more connections available over YOW. That’s likely summer 2025 at the earliest. Hopefully F8’s Saturday service lasts beyond this summer and goes back up to twice weekly. Tuesday was the wrong day of the week for the second weekly in summer 2021. Thursday would be way better…the problem is, that’s true of all routes.

Originally Posted by RomanR27

I wonder if summer seasonal YLW would be viable as well, either for F8 or PD.

Just like YYJ, with a critical YOW mass with connections, suddenly YOW-YLW becomes feasible. Also much easier to fill PD’s 132 seats vs F8’s 189.

Originally Posted by fanofYOW

Used F8’s route to YHZ a couple weeks ago. The MAX was totally full both ways. Like not one seat unoccupied. That’s not including the jam packed waiting areas for other airline’s YHZ route and back to YOW. Incredible how much demand there is between the two cities.

That’s great to hear. YOW-YHZ must be the busiest non-hub to non-hub city pair in Canada…maybe in a couple of years it’ll no longer fit into that category.

[Dominion301]

WestJet strike averted at the 11th hour.

https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.6848875

[Dominion301]

Today's departure count: 68

Today's cancellation count (so far): 6 - 5/6 are WS and this represents 5/6 of WS' scheduled flights for today.

[originalmuffins]

Originally Posted by Coho

Could that have anything to do with the fact there's no sterile transit at YOW so minimum connecting times are much longer? If you arrive from YVR you have to exit the secure area, re-clear security and then go through US CBP Pre-Clearance. Not sure what the connection times are but maybe that's one reason?

I would hope that if YOW goes into expanding the terminal more, that they create an area where you can connect from Canadian arrivals to US/international destinations (hoping we can get more than just Paris) destinations through a connection corridor. Would probably be ways down the road as Porter, AF, and other future intl airlines start to look more into YOW and solidfy those flight paths... but would be good as the Ottawa-Gatineau approaches a bigger city status around 2040.

[rocketphish]

Note to self: Don't forget to disable multi-frame HDR before attempting to photograph a moving object. It did result in a pretty interesting shot though!


B77L (AC342)

Photo by me
May 18, 2023

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by Coho

Could that have anything to do with the fact there's no sterile transit at YOW so minimum connecting times are much longer? If you arrive from YVR you have to exit the secure area, re-clear security and then go through US CBP Pre-Clearance. Not sure what the connection times are but maybe that's one reason?

When flying to the US through YYZ, you need to go through security again. I think that is because the TSA has different standards than the CBSA, and insist that foreign travelers use their protocols (removing shoes for instance).

[Dominion301]

I see that F8 have returned YOW-YEG to year-round. Now loaded as 3x weekly for the winter.

[fanofYOW]

Porter is looking for a hub manager. Exciting times.

https://careers-flyporter.icims.com/jobs/3766/hub-manager%2c-ottawa/job

On a side note, I would love to see Icelandair start in YOW. They are already partners with PD.

[Dominion301]

Originally Posted by fanofYOW

Porter is looking for a hub manager. Exciting times.

https://careers-flyporter.icims.com/jobs/3766/hub-manager%2c-ottawa/job

On a side note, I would love to see Icelandair start in YOW. They are already partners with PD.

That's a big leap from Station Manager to Hub Manager. Encouraging sign of the things to come!

[Dominion301]

YOW's April pax stats are out:

Sector / Apr-22 / Apr-23 / % Change
Dom: 187,290 / 232,650 / +24.2%
TB: 12,288 / 52,247 / +325.2%
Int'l: 8,395 / 28,488 / +239.3%
TTL: 207,973 / 313,385 / +50.7%

Sector / YTD 2022 / YTD 2023 / % Change
Dom: 549,738 / 874,275 / +59.0%
TB: 33,031 / 199,702 / +504.6%
Int'l: 42,722 / 190,729 / +346.4%
TTL: 625,491 / 1,264,706 / +102.2% - Now on pace for 3.79 million pax

Month-Over-Month Change
Sector / Mar-23 / Apr-23 / % Change
Dom: 236,313 / 232,650 / -1.6%
TB: 55,960 / 52,247 / -6.6%
Int'l: 55,861 / 28,488 / -49.0%
TTL: 348,134 / 313,385 / -10.0%
Avg/Day: 11,230 / 10,446 / -7.0%
% of month's avg daily pax vs 2019 (13,990 avg pax/day) = 74.7%
YTD TTL vs YTD 2019 = 74.7% = -0.1% chg vs March 2023

12 Months Rolling / % Change vs Year End 2021
Dom: 3,033,536 / +165.2%
TB: 357,006 / +3,075.6%
Int'l: 241,007 / +1,445.2%
TTL: 3,631,549 / +210.2%

[Dominion301]

Today's departure count: 62

Today's cancellation count (so far): 1 - and it's not WS

[Dominion301]

Today's departure count: 69

Today's cancellation count (so far): 0

[Dominion301]

Today's departure count: 74

Today's cancellation count (so far): 0

[rocketphish]

Federal government rejigs trusted-traveller program in bid to avoid last summer's airport chaos

Christopher Reynolds, The Canadian Press
Published May 23, 2023 • 2 minute read

MONTREAL — The federal government has rolled out a revamp of its trusted-traveller program to clear clogged airports as the summer travel season kicks off.

A tweaked “verified-traveller program” will launch dedicated security screening lines at six of the country’s biggest airports between June 7 and June 21, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said Tuesday.

“As membership grows over time, the new verified-traveler program will help improve the screening experience for more and more passengers while supporting the highest standards of safety and security,” Alghabra said during a news conference at Toronto’s Pearson airport.

Eligible passengers include Nexus members, military personnel, aviation workers and RCMP officers, who will be able to pass through security more quickly — and keep their shoes and belt on throughout.

Program changes include allowing trusted travellers to keep laptops and liquids stowed in their luggage instead of placing them separately onto the X-ray conveyor belt. Children under 18 and adults 75 or older can also now accompany program members through the expedited queues.

Those eligible — including the roughly 1.7 million Nexus members — can access the lines without applying beforehand.

The announcement comes after months of travel chaos last summer, when a surge in post-pandemic demand gummed up terminals and overwhelmed airlines.

In March, the Liberal budget laid out $1.8 billion over five years for the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) to improve passenger screening and strengthen security measures at airports.

With traveller complaints to the regulator now topping 47,000, the government also tabled an overhaul to its passenger rights charter last month that ratchets up penalties on airlines and targets compensation loopholes around luggage and flight disruption.

“The next few months are going to be very busy as the summer season is about to begin. And I’m confident, with the preparation that has been taking place by airports, airlines, CATSA and other organizations, that we are ready for the summer season,” Alghabra said.

The airports where trusted travellers can enjoy the fruits of that status are: Toronto’s Pearson, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg and Edmonton. Security at several other airports will provide the select passengers with front-of-the-line service, Alghabra said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 23, 2023.

https://ottawacitizen.com/pmn/travel-pmn...-bid-to-avoid-last-summers-airport-chaos

[Dominion301]

Today's departure count: 67

Today's cancellation count (so far): 3

[ars]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

Federal government rejigs trusted-traveller program in bid to avoid last summer's airport chaos

Christopher Reynolds, The Canadian Press
Published May 23, 2023 • 2 minute read

MONTREAL — The federal government has rolled out a revamp of its trusted-traveller program to clear clogged airports as the summer travel season kicks off.

A tweaked “verified-traveller program” will launch dedicated security screening lines at six of the country’s biggest airports between June 7 and June 21, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said Tuesday.

“As membership grows over time, the new verified-traveler program will help improve the screening experience for more and more passengers while supporting the highest standards of safety and security,” Alghabra said during a news conference at Toronto’s Pearson airport.

Eligible passengers include Nexus members, military personnel, aviation workers and RCMP officers, who will be able to pass through security more quickly — and keep their shoes and belt on throughout.

Program changes include allowing trusted travellers to keep laptops and liquids stowed in their luggage instead of placing them separately onto the X-ray conveyor belt. Children under 18 and adults 75 or older can also now accompany program members through the expedited queues.

Those eligible — including the roughly 1.7 million Nexus members — can access the lines without applying beforehand.

The announcement comes after months of travel chaos last summer, when a surge in post-pandemic demand gummed up terminals and overwhelmed airlines.

In March, the Liberal budget laid out $1.8 billion over five years for the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) to improve passenger screening and strengthen security measures at airports.

With traveller complaints to the regulator now topping 47,000, the government also tabled an overhaul to its passenger rights charter last month that ratchets up penalties on airlines and targets compensation loopholes around luggage and flight disruption.

“The next few months are going to be very busy as the summer season is about to begin. And I’m confident, with the preparation that has been taking place by airports, airlines, CATSA and other organizations, that we are ready for the summer season,” Alghabra said.

The airports where trusted travellers can enjoy the fruits of that status are: Toronto’s Pearson, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg and Edmonton. Security at several other airports will provide the select passengers with front-of-the-line service, Alghabra said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 23, 2023.

https://ottawacitizen.com/pmn/travel-pmn...-bid-to-avoid-last-summers-airport-chaos

I can't understand at all why YOW was left out of this program, it's baffling

[MountainView]

Originally Posted by ars

I can't understand at all why YOW was left out of this program, it's baffling

I have a NEXUS card and when I travel out of YOW I do show it to use the 'priority line', but unless it's a peak time, the queues don't really make much of a difference.

Conversely, I also travel out of YYC a lot, and having a NEXUS card in the morning peak time can save me 25-45 mins of waiting in queue.

The difference I have noticed between YOW and YYC is that YYC NEXUS/Trusted Traveler lines remain together and all go through a certain security checkpoint. At YOW, after the initial queues, NEXUS and non-NEXUS members are placed together to go through the checkpoints.

I don't think YOW is quite busy enough to justify having a dedicated line open at all times for just Trust Travelers. It honestly won't save much time. If you fly regularly, you already know to have your laptop ready to be taken out and liquids in a clear bag. That's what I do. The new security system at YOW is great to have the trays automatically come to you as well. This is how it is at YVR (but not YYC yet).

The whole shoes, belt, liquids thing just needs to go in general. When flying in the USA, the NEXUS membership gives me TSA pre-check, so I can also go in an expedited line and not remove shoes or liquids there either.

So, I just don't think YOW is busy enough for this program right now, but it makes sense to have it at YUL, YYZ, YYC, and YVR for peak travel times. The YEG and YWG ones are weird to me, you'd think with those being included, so would YOW and YHZ. Probably a place where Liberals need some votes...

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by MountainView

I have a NEXUS card and when I travel out of YOW I do show it to use the 'priority line', but unless it's a peak time, the queues don't really make much of a difference.

Conversely, I also travel out of YYC a lot, and having a NEXUS card in the morning peak time can save me 25-45 mins of waiting in queue.

The difference I have noticed between YOW and YYC is that YYC NEXUS/Trusted Traveler lines remain together and all go through a certain security checkpoint. At YOW, after the initial queues, NEXUS and non-NEXUS members are placed together to go through the checkpoints.

I don't think YOW is quite busy enough to justify having a dedicated line open at all times for just Trust Travelers. It honestly won't save much time. If you fly regularly, you already know to have your laptop ready to be taken out and liquids in a clear bag. That's what I do. The new security system at YOW is great to have the trays automatically come to you as well. This is how it is at YVR (but not YYC yet).

The whole shoes, belt, liquids thing just needs to go in general. When flying in the USA, the NEXUS membership gives me TSA pre-check, so I can also go in an expedited line and not remove shoes or liquids there either.

So, I just don't think YOW is busy enough for this program right now, but it makes sense to have it at YUL, YYZ, YYC, and YVR for peak travel times. The YEG and YWG ones are weird to me, you'd think with those being included, so would YOW and YHZ. Probably a place where Liberals need some votes...

Agreed. Since COVID, I haven't seen more than a handful of people in the regular line. There might not be enough trusted travelers to justify staffing a dedicated lane for them (and having them accept passengers with different rules in the same lane might be problematic).

Another issue might be that the layout of YOW's new security screening area isn't conducive to segregating trusted travelers from everyone else. You currently walk along a roped off shortcut and merge in at the doorway. They would likely need a separate door for trusted travelers to their dedicated lane.

[Dominion301]

Originally Posted by MountainView

I have a NEXUS card and when I travel out of YOW I do show it to use the 'priority line', but unless it's a peak time, the queues don't really make much of a difference.

Conversely, I also travel out of YYC a lot, and having a NEXUS card in the morning peak time can save me 25-45 mins of waiting in queue.

The difference I have noticed between YOW and YYC is that YYC NEXUS/Trusted Traveler lines remain together and all go through a certain security checkpoint. At YOW, after the initial queues, NEXUS and non-NEXUS members are placed together to go through the checkpoints.

I don't think YOW is quite busy enough to justify having a dedicated line open at all times for just Trust Travelers. It honestly won't save much time. If you fly regularly, you already know to have your laptop ready to be taken out and liquids in a clear bag. That's what I do. The new security system at YOW is great to have the trays automatically come to you as well. This is how it is at YVR (but not YYC yet).

The whole shoes, belt, liquids thing just needs to go in general. When flying in the USA, the NEXUS membership gives me TSA pre-check, so I can also go in an expedited line and not remove shoes or liquids there either.

So, I just don't think YOW is busy enough for this program right now, but it makes sense to have it at YUL, YYZ, YYC, and YVR for peak travel times. The YEG and YWG ones are weird to me, you'd think with those being included, so would YOW and YHZ. Probably a place where Liberals need some votes...

It looks like the top 6 airports for 2022 pax traffic were selected. Pre-2020 #6 was YOW's traditional placement, but we were #8 last year, with YHZ #7. I expect YOW to move up 1, if not 2 positions in 2023.

Today's departure count: 71

Today's cancellation count (so far): 1

[hehehe]

prices for YOW-DCA seem quite high on AC which indicates that the flight is selling very well. I wonder why they don't add a second daily and go back to pre pandemic levels