Halifax Stanfield International Airport Developments

[someone123]

I wish there were non-stop flights from the West to Halifax. Part of what makes Vancouver-Halifax annoying is the stopover.

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by someone123

I wish there were non-stop flights from the West to Halifax. Part of what makes Vancouver-Halifax annoying is the stopover.

I did a lot of study on airlines during my geography degree (because I was doing a transportation class) and I have some of the schedules from Air Canada and Canadian during their last days seperate and then the first consolidated schedule after the take over.

What may surprise you was during that year, there was a YHZ-YVR direct flight. It left around 8:30am and arrived around 11:30 in YVR and then the return flight left around 12:30 and arrived around 11pm in YHZ.

The flight was designed to allow direct connections from the east to Asian flights leaving around 1pm from YVR and from what friends in AC scheduling tell me, it did well. The only problem was the return flight arrived too late to connect to the regional flights to NB/PEI/NF. So it ended up being dropped later on. The flight used an A319, but I always thought that if you could find an aircraft that could leave earlier (since most asian flights arrive in YVR from Asia between 05:00 and 08:00), say around 10am - then you could really setup a good connection in YHZ.

Granted, with the growth and development of asian flights from Pearson that may be another reason why the flight was dropped - a preference to shunt people to asian via the YYZ routes since YVR could be supported from western cities.

[someone123]

Yeah, that makes sense. Halifax-Vancouver direct traffic is very small in the scheme of things.

I do think it's unfortunate just how much gets routed through Pearson, because it can be a strained and unpleasant place. It also has a monopoly on all sorts of traffic and so it has expensive landing fees, etc. The US does better in this regard because there are many different hubs for many different airlines, although the whole industry is messed up.

We seem to just accept miserable standards for travel in North America.

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by someone123

Yeah, that makes sense. Halifax-Vancouver direct traffic is very small in the scheme of things.

I do think it's unfortunate just how much gets routed through Pearson, because it can be a strained and unpleasant place. It also has a monopoly on all sorts of traffic and so it has expensive landing fees, etc. The US does better in this regard because there are many different hubs for many different airlines, although the whole industry is messed up.

We seem to just accept miserable standards for travel in North America.

I always felt the route would've done well if the return flight had been scheduled better, so that it could feed into the regional network Jazz has - because it fed the route going out.

I've not done an international flight out of Toronto since Terminal 2 days...so I don't know how bad it is. But I personally thought it would've been smart to keep the route for the 'high season' so you could feed both routes. Something tells me that the route might reappear as the population increases.

[halifaxboyns]

Well in light of the ship building contract - I got thinking about the spin-off effects and it got me thinking about the airport and what future changes we could see in service levels at YHZ. I don't know if anyone else has thought of this, but I have a few suspicions which I hope will come true.

I think the level of flights between Toronto and Halifax will likely remain where they are for Winter/peak seasons. The only difference is you will likely see a few flights using bigger aircraft (perhaps an A321 with AC once a day or maybe an additional 767). WJ may add more frequency, same with Porter.

I suspect the Montreal/Ottawa runs with AC will stay the same - maybe capacity increased, although WJ and Porter will likely boost service.

Where I think the biggest changes will come is European and US service. While I doubt British Airways will come to YHZ (since AC has the LHR route locked up tight), I would like to see AC's LHR service be once a day, year round instead of take a decrease during the winter to 4x a week. The present sized jet seems the right size though. I'd also like to see Lufthansa come from Frankfurt a few times a week (or daily) year round to work in some Star Alliance hub development with AC and their regional routes. KLM would also be good from Amsterdam.

United's merger with Continental is proceeding but I'd like to see UA's routes from New York go back to using 737's. When continental first came to YHZ, all 3 flights a day were a 737 and they did well. Certainly US Airway's route to Philly is doing well, so hopefully it will increase in capacity (A320 perhaps?) and the United route to Chicago should go year round at least 1 daily. I'd also like to see American from Chicago too, for competition. Delta's Atlanta route I'm unsure about but their Boston runs do well. I'm not really sure about much else in the US arena, but I'd certainly expect expansion.

I'm not sure what everyone else thinks but YHZ could be in for some interesting times in the next 20 years...

[ghYHZ]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

Delta's Atlanta route I'm unsure about but their Boston runs do well.......

Delta hasn’t had a flight to BOS for awhile now and will pull out of YHZ completely on October 31 with the last flights to JFK and DTW.

[macgregor]

HSIA Update

October 26, 2011

In this issue…

1. Airport Hotel Announcement
2. New Starbucks Now Open – Two Other New Concessions Coming Soon
3. Metro Transit Buses to Feature Airport Promotion

1. Airport Hotel Announcement

The following announcement was issued by Groupe Germain Hospitality today regarding construction of a hotel at Halifax Stanfield International Airport.

Groupe Germain Hospitality and Halifax International Airport Authority to Construct Atlantic Canada's First ALT Hotel

$27 million investment provides air travellers with onsite boutique-style hotel

Early in 2013, travellers flying in and out of Halifax Stanfield International Airport (HSIA) will have the opportunity to stay in a new boutique-style hotel that will offer a type of accommodation not available anywhere else in the Maritimes. ALT Hotels, a banner of Groupe Germain Hospitality, feature a concept that offers chic design and atmosphere at an affordable price. Construction will get underway this fall, and the new Halifax ALT Hotel is scheduled to open early in 2013.

"We've been looking to make inroads into the dynamic Halifax market for some time now, and our agreement with Halifax International Airport Authority allows us to move ahead with this project," said Christiane Germain. "We're enthusiastic about the idea of opening an ALT Hotel in the Maritimes. This type of hotel meets a growing demand among travellers who seek quality accommodation, outstanding design and comfort at an accessible price," she added.

"As Atlantic Canada's gateway to the world, we are pleased to be partnering with Groupe Germain Hospitality, one of Canada's most innovative hoteliers, to add world-class accommodations to the list of service offerings at Halifax Stanfield International Airport," said Tom Ruth, president and CEO of Halifax International Airport Authority. "The addition of ALT Hotel is part of our ongoing investment in superior service to our passengers."

The hotel will be convenient for both business travellers and tourists, thanks to an enclosed pedestrian walkway connecting the airport to the hotel. Comprising 169 rooms and a restaurant, it represents a $27 million investment.

"The type of hotel we're building here in Halifax reflects a major trend in accommodation, especially in Europe and Asia, offering design, atmosphere and décor at the best possible price. It's a bold concept that makes a strong impression and is not hampered by gratuitous detail," explained Christiane Germain from Groupe Germain.

"Our research revealed clearly that this type of accommodation is lacking in Canada's hotel sector," said Christiane Germain. "The room rates are the same throughout the year. Guests will enjoy quick and easy check-in when they arrive, a unique atmosphere, an eclectic lounge that appeals to a hip clientele, and a comfortable room with desk area equipped with all the technologies sought after by today's traveller. They will also have a spa-style bathroom and products adapted to their needs, such as breakfast to go when they check out, along with a restaurant on site. No other hotel in this category offers as much for the same price," she concluded.

In addition to families that take advantage of attractive weekend packages, ALT Hotels, which offer a non-smoking environment, also target business travellers and conventioneers. In order to meet the needs of this clientele, the Hotel has more than 10,000 square feet allocated for business meetings and gatherings.

For more information, visit www.groupegermain.com/en.

2. New Starbucks Now Open – Two Other New Concessions Coming Soon

The new Starbucks – located in the domestic arrivals area – is now open. This is a second location for Starbucks at Halifax Stanfield. Both outlets are operated by HMS Host.

Two other new concessions are in the works and will open soon. Clearwater Seafood is planning to open a kiosk on the departures level later this month. Passengers will be able to order lobster and seafood, post-security, and Clearwater staff will pack and deliver it ready for travel. And, construction continues on The Chickenburger in the main lobby, with an anticipated operational date in early November.

3. Metro Transit Buses to Feature Airport Promotion

As part of its agreement with Pattison Outdoor Advertising, HIAA has a variety of advertising space available for corporate promotion.

Beginning the first part of November and running for 12 weeks, five metro transit buses will feature the airport and flyhalifax.com logos. The logos will appear on both sides of the buses and will circulate throughout metro on various scheduled bus routes.

HIAA Corporate Communications

[Jstaleness]

I see Halifax is one of 4 cities getting a new Alt Hotel. Winnipeg, Toronto(Pearson) and Montreal (second Alt) are also getting one. It's always nice to see Halifax get things that other major cities get. We may be small but it's clear that the world is beginning to see the potential that Halifax has.

http://www.groupegermain.com/en/

[skyscraperfan]

here's a rendering I found for the hotel:
http://www.google.ca/imgres?q=alt+hotels...0&ndsp=29&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0&tx=97&ty=41

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by ghYHZ

Delta hasn’t had a flight to BOS for awhile now and will pull out of YHZ completely on October 31 with the last flights to JFK and DTW.

Oh that's sad to hear; I always thought they did well. I know Continental did really well when they first started as all their NYC flights typically were 737's but they've scaled back to the regional jets.

The HSIA facebook page has photos of the new starbucks, just past the arrivals level - looks very nice. The Clearwater beyond security will be great! That place does HUGE business.

I see that Acadian lines has also begun Airport service and Metro Transit will be coming soon...so lots of good things.

The airport also has a short survey on the future on their facebook. I encourage everyone to take it.

[q12]

Originally Posted by macgregor

HSIA Update

October 26, 2011

In this issue…

1. Airport Hotel Announcement
2. New Starbucks Now Open – Two Other New Concessions Coming Soon
3. Metro Transit Buses to Feature Airport Promotion

Thanks for the information.

So an update on what we know to be completed by 2013:

• Re-doing departures domestic & international (except USA) south end area of terminal building to make terminal uniform from end to end
• New Runway Extension from 8,800 ft to 10,500 ft NOW UNDER CONSTUCTION
• New one-way terminal Roadway (Bell Boulevard) to loop back to Highway 102
• New ALT Brand Hotel at terminal (Le Groupe Germain) STARTING CONSTRUCTION THIS FALL
• New Hotel off-site (Marriott Courtyard)
• New Loading Bridges
• Metro Transit Bus Service METRO X BUS SERVICE IN SPRING
• 2nd Starbucks on main level Arrivals, NOW OPEN
• New Chickenburger outlet OPENING IN NOVEMBER
• 2nd Clearwater Outlet on Departures Level.
• Other additional improvements

Bus to airport come spring

http://www.metronews.ca/halifax/local/article/1006865--bus-to-airport-come-spring
JENNIFER TAPLIN
METRO HALIFAX
Published: October 26, 2011 12:09 a.m.
Last modified: October 26, 2011 12:11 a.m

Next spring, MetroX buses will be zipping out to the airport.

Last night, Halifax regional council approved a contract with Nova Bus for nine 12-metre buses at a cost of $3.7 million. Halifax International Airport Authority kicked in $550,000 for the service.

Council can purchase six more buses in the second year of the contract for $2.5 million to expand the service.

I wonder if the Hotel is going ahead thanks to the shipbuilding announcement? I can see a lot a of projects going ahead now thanks to the new confidence in our local and regional economy.

[ScovaNotian]

Does anyone know where the Chickenburger will be located? Does it replace one of the existing food outlets?

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by ScovaNotian

Does anyone know where the Chickenburger will be located? Does it replace one of the existing food outlets?

I think it's in the main hall where the Burger King and the Tim's is located, so I would assume it's replacing an existing store outlet.

[q12]

Originally Posted by ScovaNotian

Does anyone know where the Chickenburger will be located? Does it replace one of the existing food outlets?

Brisket Deli.

[pblaauw]

Here's a shot of the extension work at the northeast end of runway 05/23

[fenwick16]

Thanks for posting the picture. Based on your information, I think it would be in this area - http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=halifax,+ns...unty,+Nova+Scotia&gl=ca&t=h&z=17&vpsrc=6.......... Is this correct? Will most of the extension be at the northeast end?

[q12]

The Chickenburger Now Open at the Airport!

http://thechickenburger.ca/sites/default/files/image/ChickAirportNov14Open(1).jpg

http://thechickenburger.ca/sites/default/files/image/ChickAirportNov14Open2.jpg

More photos here: http://thechickenburger.ca/content/chickenburger-now-open-airport

[jslath]

The Chickenburger Now Open at the Airport![/SIZE]
It's nice seeing a unique and local business in the airport. I'm getting sick of seeing the same international brands everywhere. Hopefully they will be a success.

[ghYHZ]

Originally Posted by ghYHZ

Delta hasn’t had a flight to BOS for awhile now and will pull out of YHZ completely on October 31 with the last flights to JFK and DTW.

Flights are now loaded for Delta’s return to YHZ on Friday March 2, 2012.

One roundtrip a day JFK-YHZ on a Pinnacle Airlines CRJ.

[beyeas]

Originally Posted by ghYHZ

Flights are now loaded for Delta’s return to YHZ on Friday March 2, 2012.

One roundtrip a day JFK-YHZ on a Pinnacle Airlines CRJ.

Hopefully the flight times are similar to what American did (does?) on the same route... it is great to be able to leave early early Saturday morning, be in Manhattan by 8am, and then return Sunday evening. Makes for a great NYC weekend with only needing one hotel night. We've done that every year for the last while in December for some xmas shopping, although this year the flight didn't seem to come up (might have been full though) and we had to take AC.