Atlantic Canada airport thread - Page 3

nwalbert · #41 Posted **Feb 18, 2011, 5:23 PM**

Was on a flight from Heathrow to Toronto this morning and interestingly there was an article in the Toronto Star on Canadians flying out of the US. Last year, 21% of Canadian tourists drive to the US and flew from there. They anticipate as high as 32% of Canadians will do the same thing this year. Bangor, ME was listed as one of the highest volume airport for Canadians. That speaks volumes considering how low our population in the region is.

With the US about to add a $5.50 charge for any Canadian flying into the US, but not driving, I can see this continuing.

MonctonRad · #42 Posted **Feb 18, 2011, 5:33 PM**

T&T reported today that Porter will increase service frequency to Toronto and Ottawa from the GMIA to daily (from four times weekly) in April and then to twice daily beginning in June.

There was no mention of Porter beginning service to either Saint John or Fredericton in this article.

nwalbert · #43 Posted **Feb 18, 2011, 5:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

T&T reported today that Porter will increase service frequency to Toronto and Ottawa from the GMIA to daily (from four times weekly) in April and then to twice daily beginning in June.

There was no mention of Porter beginning service to either Saint John or Fredericton in this article.

Would have been nice to see a new destination offered, this doesn't help those of us who travel for a living much.

C_Boy · #44 Posted **Feb 21, 2011, 10:47 PM**

Airport runway to get major funding boost

Cathy LeBreton - News Staff Feb 21, 2011 10:48:36 AM

MONCTON, NB - National Revenue Minister Keith Ashfield is in New Brunswick today where he's set to announce funding for three major infrastructure projects.

The announcements include 4 million dollars to extend a runway at the Greater Moncton International Airport.

The money, which will be matched by the provincial government will help extend the airport's main runway from 6,150 to 10,500 feet to accommodate larger wide-bodied and heavy aircraft.

Ashfield is also announcing a 4.5 million dollar investment in SaintJohn's cruise gateway project and 5.2 million dollars to upgrade the airport in Fredericton.

q12 · #45 Posted **Feb 21, 2011, 11:14 PM**

Atlantic Canada's Major Airport, Halifax Stanfield International Airport Improvement List (to be completed in the next couple years in approximately 2013):

New Runway Extension from 8,800 ft to 10,500 ft
Re-doing departures domestic & international (except USA) south end area of terminal building to make terminal uniform from end to end
New one-way terminal Roadway (Bell Boulevard) to loop back to Highway 102
New on-site Hotel at terminal (175 rooms)
New Loading Bridges
Metro Transit Bus Service
Other additional improvements

MonctonRad · #46 Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 12:37 AM**

I'm glad to see the airport improvements at both the GMIA and Halifax Stanfield.

billy1 · #47 Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 12:46 PM**

Charlottetown Airport receiving improvements;

"In addition, the Charlottetown Airport terminal will be expanded to allow for more traffic. The project will cost $3.6 million, shared three ways between the Charlottetown Airport Authority, the province and the federal government."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince...4.html?ref=rss

nwalbert · #48 Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 2:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by q12

Atlantic Canada's Major Airport, Halifax Stanfield International Airport Improvement List (to be completed in the next couple years in approximately 2013):

New Runway Extension from 8,800 ft to 10,500 ft
Re-doing departures domestic & international (except USA) south end area of terminal building to make terminal uniform from end to end
New one-way terminal Roadway (Bell Boulevard) to loop back to Highway 102
New on-site Hotel at terminal (175 rooms)
New Loading Bridges
Metro Transit Bus Service
Other additional improvements

Halifax already has some pretty good USA flights but it would be great to see some longer haul routes develop out of this. A Direct to SFO or DFW would really open things up. Might even make the flight from Saint John worthwhile. I would rather connect in HFX than Toronto or Montreal.

Architype · #49 Posted **Feb 23, 2011, 4:36 AM**

Airport feels left out of spending spree

Quote:

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - Officials at the airport in the Newfoundland capital say they're frustrated by a lack of government financial support for a project to improve accessibility.

The St. John's International Airport Authority said in a news release today it's also confused, given that Ottawa and the Maritime provinces announced millions of dollars for airport improvement projects on Monday.

St. John's airport authority official Fraser Edison says his group has yet to receive a response from Ottawa or Newfoundland on its proposal.

The St. John's airport wants to bring in an improved landing system and associated infrastructure improvements that would allow more flights to come and go in foggy weather.

Right now, the airport says 1,000 flights and 100,000 passengers a year are affected by low visibility conditions.

With the new technology, the airport says 700 of those flights representing 70,000 passengers would be able to arrive and depart on time.

Article source:
http://www.metronews.ca/toronto/cana...spending-spree

nwalbert · #50 Posted **Feb 23, 2011, 1:16 PM**

Does anyone know what project the money for the Fredericton airport is earmarked for?

Jstaleness · #51 Posted **Feb 23, 2011, 3:34 PM**

A busy secondary runway at the Fredericton International Airport is getting a much needed upgrade.

THE DAILY GLEANER/MICHAEL STAPLE

A busy secondary runway at the Fredericton International Airport is getting a $10.4-million upgrade. The announcement was made Monday by Fredericton MP Keith Ashfield and Premier David Alward. From left, Mayor Brad Woodside, Alward, Ashfield and David Innes, president and CEO of the Fredericton International Airport Authority Inc., are shown.

Improvements totalling $10.4 million were announced Monday by Fredericton MP Keith Ashfield and Premier David Alward.

Under the plan, which will see the federal government contribute $5.2 million with the remainder of the funding to be provided equally by the province and the airport authority, paving and lighting upgrades will be undertaken.

The improvements are designed to facilitate increased trade and traffic through the airport.

David Innes, president and CEO of the Fredericton International Airport Authority Inc., said the runway is key to aviation traffic at the airport.

"It's during specific wind conditions when we really need to use it," Innes said. "The flight schools and the other general aviation aircraft use that runway a lot, simply because there are (times that) wind conditions (are such) that they really have to use it.

"It's a very important runway to our viability."

Aircraft movement at the Fredericton International Airport has increased from between 25,000 and 35,000 in 2001 to 98,000 last year.

Innes said preliminary work on the upgrades has already started and everything should be completed by fall.

"We were just waiting for this announcement," Innes said. "Now that we've got the announcement, we'll be going at full steam ahead."

Alward said the upgrade will give the airport authority more flexibility and allow people to move better.

"This is the provincial capital, the centre of academic excellence and, especially, the IT and engineering sectors," Alward said. "That important connection with the rest or the world is vital to the future of Fredericton."

Oromocto MLA Jody Carr said the Fredericton improvements will increase access to markets and add economic opportunities by being more competitive as an airport.

Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside said it's good news when runways and lighting can be improved and safety increased.

"It bodes well to the increase in traffic that the Fredericton International Airport is seeing and we expect that will just continue to increase."

Doug Motty, president and CEO of Enterprise Fredericton, said continued growth at the airport is always a positive thing.

"We are seeing the federal and provincial governments co-operating and investing in the future of transportation in our communities," Motty said. "Certainly the safety factor is a big issue and it just gives you that flexibility, depending on weather conditions, maybe that flight doesn't need to get diverted to one of the other airports."

The Fredericton Chamber of Commerce also welcomed the news.

"The resurfacing of Runway 15/33 has been one of our key advocacy positions for some time" said Susan Holt, CEO of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce. "Our members ranked air service as one of their most important issues in our last member survey, so we're thrilled that this funding has been secured."

The Fredericton news, meanwhile, was just one of three transportation-related announcements made Monday by the two levels of government.

The Moncton International Airport is getting a runway extension valued at $24 million.

The federal government is committing up to $4 million to the project, with the province investing an equal amount. The remainder is being provided by the airport authority.

It was also announced that the port of Saint John Cruise Gateway Project will expand the berthing capacity of the port.

The $14-million project will see the federal government commit $4.5 million with the remainder to be provided equally by the port and the province.

Ashfield said the money for upgrades in Fredericton, Moncton and Saint John is good for the region, for the province and should stimulate and increase the province's economic capacity.

"These are great projects for New Brunswick and ones that are needed to continue our economic growth in this region," Ashfield said.

Alward said the three announcements are a reinforcement of the importance of the province's key public infrastructure.

"These projects will provide New Brunswick with an opportunity to enhance our transportation and sow the seeds of significant economic growth in the province."

MonctonRad · #52 Posted **Feb 23, 2011, 4:48 PM**

(Moncton) Flight college changes hands
Published Wednesday February 23rd, 2011

CANLink Aviation pulls Moncton Flight College from receivership, promises to keep it flying
by alan cochrane
Times & transcript staff

Flight training operations at the Moncton Flight College resumed yesterday after a deal was reached between the receivers and CANLink Aviation to take over the school and keep it flying into the future.

"Flight activity has resumed, we're holding staff meetings and student meetings to explain what's happening," CANLink CEO Mike Tilley said yesterday. "Our intention is full speed ahead and we're back on track."

The deal with CANLink Aviation came late Monday and was announced yesterday morning, eight days after the flight college was placed into receivership. The deal should be closed in about six weeks, at which time CANLink Aviation will take over the assets and operations of the flight college. Tilley will take over as CEO of the college and the board of directors will be disbanded.

Tilley said there are no plans to shut it down, make major changes to the operation or move it somewhere else. The plan is to continue operations, build the business and draw more students.

The Moncton Flight College has played a key role in Moncton's aviation history. The school traces its roots to 1929 and the formation of the Moncton Flying Club by a small group of aviation pioneers who helped build the airport, airmail and passenger services. Today, the school employs about 110 people, has a fleet of 53 aircraft, four flight simulators, dormitories, classrooms and a restaurant that serves authentic Chinese food. There are currently about 135 flight students (at the Moncton and Fredericton campuses) here from China, who have jobs as airline pilots waiting for them when they get home.

Tilley would not divulge financial details of the deal to take over the college, nor would he comment on the events or difficulties that led to it being placed in receivership.

CANLink is a New Brunswick-based company that specializes in providing services to the Chinese market. CANLink had helped make the deal to bring Chinese students to Moncton and then set up the Fredericton campus of the Moncton Flight College as a franchise business. The Fredericton campus was set up as a private franchise to take the overflow of students when the Moncton operation became full, but it operated under Moncton's Transport Canada operating certificate.

"We're a private company and before it was a not-for-profit, and it is very difficult for a not-for-profit to be able to raise capital and deal with the fluctuations in business and seize opportunities as they come along. In our private ownership setup, we are able to raise capital and seize those opportunities," Tilley said.

In the past, the college was run by a board of directors along with a principal and CEO, and staff members. That all changed on Feb. 14 when it went into receivership but Tilley said there is still much work to be done.

"Our intent is to tap into the talent that was around that board with previous members. We're certainly not shutting our doors to the community. We want to be considered a possession of the community and part of the landscape in Moncton," he said. "Part of what we want to do is that the community knows we're here for them and we're not closed. We're open."

Tilley said he is aware of the long legacy of the flight college and its links to the community, and he wants to see that continue.

"It would have been sad to see that go away and we see this as a nice business opportunity," he said. "We've had some success with the Fredericton operation, the Moncton Flight College has a wonderful reputation domestically and around the world, and has a strong, knowledgeable staff so there's lots to work with here and hopefully Moncton will continue to be a success."

PoscStudent · #53 Posted **Feb 23, 2011, 6:22 PM**

Quote:

St. John's airport could land federal funding shortly

The federal government confirmed Wednesday that funding to help planes land in fog could be coming shortly to St. John's International Airport.

No announcement has been made yet, but Senator Fabian Manning said it was just a matter of time before the money is made public.

"From my understanding, we've been talking back and forth to the entities involved and you know pretty well the funding is in place," he said during a stop in Labrador. "We're working with the province trying to work out the details of that and hopefully in the not-too-distant future we'll get that done."

The funding will reportedly be rolled into a $100 million package for the federal government to consider.

Airport officials complained this week after funding was announced for improvements at airports in three other Atlantic Provinces, but nothing had been promised for St. John's.

In Nova Scotia, the federal and provincial governments are putting up half of the $28 million needed to expand the runway at the airport in Halifax while New Brunswick is getting $9.2 million to upgrade the airports in Fredericton and Moncton. Prince Edward Island is splitting a $3.6 million bill with the federal government on the airport in Charlottetown.

The St. John's Airport Authority has been asking for funding for a number of years to help upgrade equipment. Airport officials estimate that 1,000 flights are cancelled or delayed because of fog each year, stranding thousands of passengers.

Airport chairman Fraser Edison said the upgraded equipment would help it shake its reputation of being a fog-bound airport.

"We need it. It's an absolute must to take away even the stigma. St. John's. Newfoundland. Foggy … I've spent many nights in Halifax or in Gander or wherever because we could not land in St. John's because of fog," he said.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfou...t-funding.html

nwalbert · #54 Posted **Feb 24, 2011, 12:58 PM**

Moncton Flight College losing 21 people

The Moncton Flight College was placed in receivership on Feb. 14 by Ernst & Young as a result of financial difficulties. After a week of negotiations, a deal was reached for CANLink Aviation to purchase the assets of the college and take over its operation. In the process, the college will make the transformation from a not-for-profit organization into a for-profit business. CANLink was already a partner with the college and ran the Fredericton campus of the college as a franchise business. CANLink CEO Mike Tilley says 21 positions were lost, but at the same time 65 positions were saved at the college.

I was quite suspect when I saw this acquisition. Being quite familiar with these types of arrangements I would guess this is the first step towards closing the Moncton school and centralizing in Fredericton. I am guessing that CANLink acquired the company for its assets and made agreements to keep a certain number of jobs for a predetermined timeframe. From a business perspective it makes little sense to run two distinct operations.

Not sure if this is significant however.

MonctonRad · #55 Posted **Feb 24, 2011, 8:11 PM**

Article from today's T&T

MFC merger means 21 layoffs
Published Thursday February 24th, 2011

New owner says 65 staff members were retained in deal to keep flight college operating
by alan cochrane
Times & transcript staff

Lindsay Savage had four years of service as a flight instructor and administrative manager with the Moncton Flight College but she and 20 other people lost their jobs without notice when the college went into receivership on Valentine's Day.

"I was pretty angry at first but I guess these things happen and you have to move on," says Savage, a native of Moncton who ran the Asia Pacific Department at the college. "I'll probably look for another job in a different industry because I'm three months pregnant and wouldn't be able to fly for a while anyway."

The Moncton Flight College was placed into receivership on Feb. 14 by Ernst & Young as a result of financial difficulties. After a week of negotiations, a deal was reached for CANLink Aviation to purchase the assets of the college and take over its operation. In the process, the college will make the transformation from a not-for-profit organization into a for-profit business. CANLink was already a partner with the college and ran the Fredericton campus of the college as a franchise business. CANLink CEO Mike Tilley says 21 positions were lost, but at the same time 65 positions were saved at the college.

The 21 positions lost include, administrative personnel, maintenance technicians and flight instructors. Tilley said CANLink felt there were too many employees at the school and the number was trimmed from 86 to 65 to bring the organization to the right size based on the amount of business now being done and expectations for the near future. Tilley said he will take over as CEO when the deal is closed. Al Pendergast took over the job as Principal and CEO last August from Mike Doiron, who had held the post for 12 years.

Tilley stressed that the employees technically lost their jobs the moment the flight college went into receivership and their employer no longer existed. Those who remain are technically employed by the receiver, Ernst & Young, and will have their employment transferred to CANLink Aviation when the deal is closed on April 8.

"When Moncton Flight College went into receivership, any employment with them was over. We see it as 65 jobs saved in Moncton and now the legacy will carry on. We're pulling this thing out of the fire and rebuilding," Tilley said.

The Moncton Flight College traces its roots back to 1929. In recent years the college has grown into an international facility that trains pilots from around the world.

Tilley said it was regrettable that jobs were lost but the new owners are determined to keep the school going and retain its place in the Moncton community. Besides the 65 jobs in Moncton, another 48 will be preserved in Fredericton. The Fredericton campus operates under the same Transport Canada licence as the Moncton Flight College, so it likely would have been shut down had the Moncton operation not been saved.

Tilley said the pilot training industry is very cyclical and layoffs are common.

Savage said some of the staff predicted their job losses and saw trouble brewing at the college. She said getting the termination letter was a "pretty big downer," and isn't sure if she'll get more than a couple of weeks' pay in the end. George Kinsmen, executive-director for Ernst & Young in Halifax, said the receiver is now working with the laid-off employees to help them through the process of applying for benefits under the Federal Wage Earner Protection Plan.

Lrdevlop · #56 Posted **Feb 28, 2011, 4:59 PM**

Maritimers escape to Jamaica
Published Monday February 28th, 2011

Sunwing, Jamaica Tourism and Greater Moncton International Airport celebrate new charter flight to the sun and sand
C2
BY BRENT MAZEROLLE
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT STAFF

The two massive snowblowers shooting giant plumes of snow into the sky above the Greater Moncton International Airport said it all yesterday.

VIKTOR PIVOVAROV/TIMES & TRANSCR
Travellers check in for Sunwing's inaugural flight to Montego Bay, Jamaica at the Greater Moncton International Airport yesterday.
It's time to get out of Dodge and dodge a week or two of incessant winter weather.

While the snowblowers were still clearing taxiways and tarmac some 30 hours after the end of what was just the latest blizzard of 2011, about 180 lucky Maritimers were arriving at the airport to take the inaugural flight of Sunwing, direct from Moncton to Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Ahead lay reggae music, Jamaican patties, jerk chicken, Blue Mountain coffee and lively fruit drinks further livened by Appleton Rum.

And that was before they even boarded their distinctive blue 737 with the orange tail. Sunwing, Jamaica Tourism and the airport threw a great little pre-boarding party in the upstairs departure lounge yesterday to celebrate the launch of the new service.

Yesterday's supper hour departure was just the first for the seasonal sun destination charter.

"There will be nine flights out of Moncton, so you can keep going back again and again," Sandra Scott of Jamaica Tourism suggested to the travellers on the inaugural flight, who cheered heartily.

"We think you'll be smiling even more when you wake up tomorrow," Sunwing vice-president Lawrence Elliott predicted, to which many in the crowd yelled out, "tonight!"

Rob Robichaud, the airport's general manager, told the crowd, "we're constantly striving to convince new airlines to come here and to bring more flights here. We're going to become a key regional hub in Atlantic Canada, so thanks for helping us do that."

The 186 seat aircraft was completely booked.

Among those travelling yesterday were Shediac's Bernie Brun and Yvette Doiron-Brun, their daughter Josée and her boyfriend Miguel Pellerin. Despite the snow and chill yesterday afternoon, they arrived at the airport in shorts, ready to focus on their destination and not their departure point.

While it was their first trip with Sunwing, the Bruns have visited Jamaica several times.

Bernie said they like the people, like the food and like the resorts.

Sunwing will operate weekly departures, for one and two week holidays, through the last departure on April 24.

In Montego Bay, Sunwing offers a total of eight beachfront all-inclusive hotels including popular brands such as Iberostar, Secrets and Superclubs.

Sunwing Airlines is popular for its "more frills" attitude to flying.

Even when Sunwing's not celebrating a special event like yesterday's inaugural flight out of Moncton, all passengers receive a bon-voyage glass of champagne, hot towel service, a choice of hot meals at lunch and dinner - served with wine - and complimentary in-flight entertainment including first run movies.

MonctonRad · #57 Posted **Mar 3, 2011, 1:24 AM**

WestJet to resume Moncton to Hamilton service in May
Published Wednesday March 2nd, 2011

WestJet will resume its daily flight service between Moncton and Hamilton in May.

"We're happy to be back at YQM (Greater Moncton International Airport) with a second flight for the summer season," said Robert Palmer, manager of public relations for WestJet. "The daily flight from Moncton to Hamilton returns in May for the full length of our summer schedule, and we encourage New Brunswickers to take advantage of it."

Palmer says the daily service will run from May 2 to Oct. 29. The flight leaves Hamilton at 1:15 p.m. and arrives at the Greater Moncton International Airport at 4:05 p.m., for a flight time of one hour and 50 minutes. The aircraft turns around and leaves YQM at 4:50 p.m. and arrives in YHM at 5:59 p.m. for a flight time of 2 hours, 9 minutes.

Palmer said a one-way fare will be about $200 with all taxes and fees

It's good to see the second daily WestJet flight out of GMIA getting re-established. Add this to the commencement of a second daily Porter flight to Toronto from the GMIA and it begins to appear that things are definitely on the uptick at the airport.

The charter season has also been quite busy at the airport this winter. I imagine the WestJet flight to Orlando will be quite popular.

Lrdevlop · #58 Posted **Mar 3, 2011, 2:27 AM**

This is really good news! One thing I find about GMIA is that they (the airport) don't do enough advertising. Look at halifax International, they have ads in magazines, newspaper, etc... Also, GMIA's website is not always up to date... Like in their media/press release page, the last news was the announcement for the Moncton-Orlando flight... Since then, at least 2 articles about the GMIA has has been published in news paper. I also noticed that Greater Moncton residents don't really know about the winter seasonal destinations from GMIA...

Maybe it will get better! Anyways, the airport is still doing GREAT!

dragonfly4ever · #59 Posted **Mar 3, 2011, 2:36 AM**

I wonder if a non-stop flight from Sydney, NS to St. John's is feasible?

mmmatt · #60 Posted **Mar 4, 2011, 2:05 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by nwalbert

Moncton Flight College losing 21 people

The Moncton Flight College was placed in receivership on Feb. 14 by Ernst & Young as a result of financial difficulties. After a week of negotiations, a deal was reached for CANLink Aviation to purchase the assets of the college and take over its operation. In the process, the college will make the transformation from a not-for-profit organization into a for-profit business. CANLink was already a partner with the college and ran the Fredericton campus of the college as a franchise business. CANLink CEO Mike Tilley says 21 positions were lost, but at the same time 65 positions were saved at the college.

I was quite suspect when I saw this acquisition. Being quite familiar with these types of arrangements I would guess this is the first step towards closing the Moncton school and centralizing in Fredericton. I am guessing that CANLink acquired the company for its assets and made agreements to keep a certain number of jobs for a predetermined timeframe. From a business perspective it makes little sense to run two distinct operations.

Not sure if this is significant however.

Not sure why you would assume a centralization in Fredericton?? The whole reason the Fredericton campus was created is because the Moncton campus could no longer handle the student load...aka if the Moncton campus (much larger) cannot handle the students on its own...how could the Freddy campus hope to?

The air traffic created by either of the campuses is massive and I dont think it would be feasable to combine them into a single airport any longer. Also, if they were to do so why would they chose the smaller campus with the smaller airport and the less experienced staff?

In any regard I personally know someone who works there (I work next door to them) and I know they are just doing some belt tightening as the previous owners were not as concerned with running the school like a proper profit earning business...

He says they have been assured the school isn't going anywhere, and will continue to grow...