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Tag: Charlottetown YYG

  • WestJet’s first non-stop flight from Calgary to Charlottetown takes off

    YYC-YYG inaugural event ribbon cutting (CNW Group/WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership)
    YYC-YYG inaugural event ribbon cutting (CNW Group/WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership)

    CALGARY, AB, July 29, 2021 /CNW/ – Today, WestJet celebrated the launch of its new route between Calgary and Charlottetown with the departure and arrival of flight 630 and flight 631 between the communities. The new non-stop flights directly link Western Canada to Prince Edward Island for the first time and marks a positive sign for both region’s travel and tourism markets.

    “The introduction of new service between Prince Edward Island and Calgary is an important milestone for WestJet, our guests and these communities,” said John Weatherill, WestJet Chief Commercial Officer. “As vaccination rates across Canada continue to rise and restrictions ease, there’s no better way to demonstrate our commitment to Canada’s economic recovery than by seeing our investments take off as we continue to restore our network and reconnect Canadians from coast-to-coast.”

    Upon flight 630’s arrival in Charlottetown, guests visiting from Calgary were greeted by Charlottetown Mayor Phillip Brown.

    WestJet’s first non-stop flight from YYC to YYG is greeted with inaugural event upon landing in Charlottetown (CNW Group/WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership)
    WestJet’s first non-stop flight from YYC to YYG is greeted with inaugural event upon landing in Charlottetown (CNW Group/WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership)

    “The City of Charlottetown is thrilled about the announcement of the new direct flight from Calgary,” said Mayor Brown. “We are truly excited for this opportunity for more Canadians to experience everything our beautiful city has to offer. Thank you, WestJet, for your continued efforts to connect Canadians from coast to coast.”

    “We are delighted to welcome WestJet’s new non-stop service from Calgary, connecting Western Canada with Prince Edward Island for the first time,” said Doug Newson, CEO, YYG Charlottetown Airport. “As Canadians start exploring our country once again, this service will provide a convenient option for Islanders now calling Alberta home and for new tourists wanting to explore our beautiful Island.”

    WestJet’s new twice-weekly, non-stop service between Charlottetown and Calgary operates on Thursdays and Sunday. The service was previously set to begin in June 2020 but was delayed due to the pandemic.

    Since 2005, WestJet has been a key part of the fabric of Prince Edward Island’s visitor economy and remains committed to investing in the recovery of Atlantic Canada from the COVID-19 crisis. 

    WestJet’s Charlottetown to Calgary service details

    Route Peak FrequencyDepartureArrival
    Calgary – Charlottetown2x weekly (Thursday/Saturday)9:30 a.m.5:05 p.m.
    Charlottetown – Calgary2x weekly (Thursday/Saturday)5:50 p.m.8:08 p.m.
    *All times are local

    Additional quotes

    “We thank our guests, the YYG Charlottetown Airport and other partners who stuck with WestJet throughout the pandemic,” said Angela Avery, WestJet Executive Vice-President, External Affairs and Chief Legal Officer. “We are glad to be flying twice-weekly and look forward to bringing tourists, business and products to and from Charlottetown to help drive economic recovery for the Island.”

    First non-stop flight from Calgary to Charlottetown greeted by WestJetters at YYG (CNW Group/WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership)
    First non-stop flight from Calgary to Charlottetown greeted by WestJetters at YYG (CNW Group/WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership)

    “With this non-stop flight connecting Calgary and Prince Edward Island, WestJet continues to help showcase Calgary and all its experiences to Canadians,” says Cindy Ady, Tourism Calgary CEO. “The return of direct routes post-pandemic will help to support the recovery of the tourism industry and bolster the economic impact of tourism, which directly contributes over $2.5 billion to Calgary’s economy each year. We are very eager to once again welcome guests from P.E.I. to Calgary”

    “Congratulations to WestJet on their restored route from Calgary to Charlottetown. This direct route will connect Canadians from both regions and offer more domestic destination options as many look forward to travelling again,” The Calgary Airport Authority.

    About WestJet 

    In 25 years of serving Canadians, WestJet has cut airfares in half and increased the flying population in Canada to more than 50 per cent. WestJet launched in 1996 with three aircraft, 250 employees and five destinations, growing over the years to more than 180 aircraft, 14,000 employees and more than 100 destinations in 23 countries, pre-pandemic.

    Since the start of the pandemic the WestJet Group of Companies has built a layered framework of safety measures to ensure Canadians can continue to travel safely and responsibly through the airline’s Safety Above All hygiene program. During this time, WestJet has maintained its status as one of the top-10 on-time airlines in North America as named by Cirium.

  • Charlottetown Airport sees airlines adding extra flights, extra seats

    From CBC News – link to source story

    Airlines optimistic about travel to P.E.I., says airport CEO

    Kevin Yarr · CBC News · Jul 15, 2021

    Passengers disembarking, July 14, 2021 (Tony Davis/CBC)

    Charlottetown Airport will have four airlines bringing in planes by early August, and CEO Doug Newson is excited to see the recovery starting after a long pandemic slump.

    “We can see already this coming weekend, on Sunday and Monday, we’ve got passenger loads that are over 100 people on certain flights. So that’s encouraging. You know, we haven’t seen that here in a long time,” said Newson.

    “Even if we don’t see 2021 as busy as 2019, it’ll certainly be better than 2020.”

    Pandemic travel restrictions for people coming into P.E.I. put a virtual halt to traffic at Charlottetown Airport. At one point it was down to two flights a day, arriving from and departing to Montreal.

    P.E.I. reopening

    On Sunday P.E.I. will open to all fully-vaccinated Canadians without the need for self-isolation, and airlines are responding to the expected demand for travel. WestJet has flights several days a week to Toronto and is adding a non-stop Calgary flight. PAL will soon be flying direct to Halifax and Flair to Toronto.

    Charlottetown Airport CEO Doug Newson is looking forward to further rebuilding in 2022. (Laura Meader/CBC)

    “We’re not sure exactly what August or September will hold, but we know that all the airlines are adding extra flights and extra seats,” said Newson.

    “They’re obviously optimistic that travel will start to recover.”

    It’s been a quiet 16 months at the airport, he said, but activity is beginning to pick up, with airline staff, cleaners and commissionaires returning to work.

    Newson does not expect any further announcements of flights this summer, but he is looking forward to starting to rebuild on the record years for traffic that preceded 2020 next spring.

    With files from Laura Meader

  • Passenger traffic taking off at Atlantic Canada’s airports after COVID-19 slump

    From City News 1130 – link to source story

    BY THE CANADIAN PRESS | Jun 28, 2021

    An Air Canada Airbus A220-300 airliner from Toronto arrives at Halifax Stanfield International Airport in Enfield, N.S. on Monday, June 28, 2021. Airports in Atlantic Canada are gearing up after the pandemic grounded many flights to the region. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

    FREDERICTON — Airlines are resuming flights across Atlantic Canada to meet pent-up demand as COVID-19 infections drop and travel restrictions ease.

    The Halifax Stanfield International Airport had hosted 17 airlines serving 46 destinations prior to the pandemic, but that fell to two airlines serving four destinations because of COVID-19.

    Marie Manning, the airport’s vice-president of business development, says the number of domestic flights is starting to increase, and she’s anxious to get some direction from the federal government on international routes.

    The Charlottetown Airport was down to just one flight per day for the past year, but officials say they expect that will be up to six or seven flights daily by early August.

    Peter Avery, CEO of the airport in St. John’s, N.L., says passenger levels were down 75 per cent in 2020 over 2019, but they have begun to rebound.

    Avery, however, says he doesn’t expect a full recovery to pre-pandemic levels until 2024 or 2025.

    This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 28, 2021.

    The Canadian Press

  • WestJet reconnecting Alberta routes

    Airline to restart 10 routes across province and inaugurate new service from Edmonton to Penticton, Kamloops and Nanaimo

    Non-stop service between Calgary-Charlottetown to launch on July 29

    CALGARY, AB, June 25, 2021 /CNW/ -WestJet is further restoring Alberta’s domestic and interprovincial connectivity with the restart of 10 routes to and from destinations across British Columbia, the Yukon, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia from Calgary, Edmonton and Medicine Hat. The airline will also start operation of three new routes to and from Edmonton and begin non-stop service between Calgary and Charlottetown. Full schedule details and resumption dates are outlined below.

    “We continue to work towards the restoration of our pre-COVID domestic network to ensure that when our guests are ready to travel, we are there for them,” said John Weatherill, WestJet Chief Commercial Officer. “WestJet remains committed to building back stronger for the betterment of all Canadians, and as we look ahead to reconnecting friends, family and loved ones, the safe restart of travel is essential to Canada’s economic recovery.”

    Connecting Alberta to Prince Edward Island non-stop

    After being delayed due to the pandemic, WestJet will bridge new domestic connections between the east and the west with the introduction of new twice-weekly, non-stop service between Charlottetown, P.E.I., and Calgary, beginning July 29. The service connecting the two provinces was previously scheduled to start in June 2020.

    WestJet’s investments are critical to ensuring Alberta’s recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and this July, WestJet will offer non-stop service from Calgary to 42 cities and from Edmonton to 16 cities. 

    “This week’s meeting with more than 70 Northern Alberta industry partners demonstrates the value of listening to our partners as we enter the recovery phase of the pandemic. We thank Premier Kenney and his government for leading the safe restart of travel for Albertans. While progress has been made in Alberta, we continue to advocate for a safe travel framework from the Government of Canada,” said Angela Avery, WestJet Executive Vice-President.

    Love Where You’re Going Again – WestJet’s Latest Video

    For more than 17 months, Canadians from coast-to-coast have been separated from the people and places they love. WestJet’s latest brand moment is a reminder to Canadians that it’s time to love where they’re going, again.

    Alberta route restarts between now and July 6, 2021

    RoutePeak FrequencyRoute restart date
    Edmonton – Nanaimo*2x weeklyJune 25, 2021
    Edmonton – Regina 6x weeklyJune 25, 2021
    Edmonton – Comox 5x weeklyJune 25, 2021
    Calgary – Prince George4x weeklyJune 25, 2021
    Calgary – London, Ont.4x weeklyJune 25, 2021
    Edmonton – Winnipeg 6x weeklyJune 30, 2021
    Calgary – Windsor2x weeklyJune 26, 2021
    Calgary – Whitehorse2x weeklyJune 27, 2021
    Calgary – Medicine Hat5x weeklyJune 27, 2021
    Edmonton – Halifax 2x weeklyJuly 1, 2021
    Edmonton – Penticton*2x weeklyJuly 3, 2021
    Edmonton – Kamloops*2x weeklyJuly 4, 2021
    Edmonton – Saskatoon 6x weeklyJuly 6, 2021
    Calgary – Charlottetown *2x weeklyJuly 29, 2021
    *New route

    About WestJet 

    In 25 years of serving Canadians, WestJet has cut airfares in half and increased the flying population in Canada to more than 50 per cent. WestJet launched in 1996 with three aircraft, 250 employees and five destinations, growing over the years to more than 180 aircraft, 14,000 employees and more than 100 destinations in 23 countries, pre-pandemic.

    Since the start of the pandemic the WestJet Group of Companies has built a layered framework of safety measures to ensure Canadians can continue to travel safely and responsibly through the airline’s Safety Above All hygiene program. During this time, WestJet has maintained its status as one of the top-10 on-time airlines in North America as named by Cirium.

  • WestJet reconnecting Atlantic Canada routes

    Airline to restart seven routes across Atlantic Canada by July 2

    New non-stop service between Calgary-Charlottetown to launch on July 29

    CALGARY, AB, June 25, 2021 /CNW/ -WestJet is further restoring Atlantic Canada’s domestic and interprovincial connectivity with the restart of seven routes to and from destinations across Ontario, Alberta, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. The airline today also announced it will launch its new non-stop service to Charlottetown from Calgary on July 29. Full schedule details and resumption dates are outlined below.

    “We continue to work towards the restoration of our pre-COVID domestic network to ensure that when our guests are ready to travel, we are there for them,” said John Weatherill, WestJet Chief Commercial Officer. “WestJet remains committed to building back stronger for the betterment of all Canadians and as we look ahead to reconnecting friends, family and loved ones, the safe restart of travel is essential to Canada’s economic recovery.”

    Connecting Prince Edward Island to Alberta non-stop

    After being delayed due to the pandemic, WestJet will bridge new domestic connections between the east and the west with the introduction of new twice-weekly non-stop service between Charlottetown, P.E.I., and Calgary beginning July 29. The service connecting the two provinces was previously scheduled to start in June 2020.

    WestJet’s investments are critical to ensuring Atlantic Canada’s recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and by the end of June, the airline is set to restore commercial air service to Sydney, N.S., Deer Lake and Gander, Nfld., with the restart of flights from Halifax and Toronto.

    “As WestJet leads the restart of travel across the Atlantic region, it is critical that we get clarity and guidance on travel policies from the federal government. The safe return of visitors to and from the region is key to recovery and we thank the Atlantic Premiers and their governments for the work they have done to prioritize the safe restart of travel. WestJet remains committed to affordably connecting Atlantic Canada to the rest of the country and the world,” said Angela Avery, WestJet Executive Vice-President.

    This July, WestJet will offer non-stop service to Atlantic Canada from Halifax to six cities, from St. John’s to three cities, from Charlottetown to two cities and from Moncton, Fredericton, Deer Lake, Gander and Sydney to one city.

    Love Where You’re Going Again – WestJet’s Latest Video

    For more than 17 months, Canadians from coast-to-coast have been separated from the people and places they love. WestJet’s latest brand moment is a reminder to Canadians that it’s time to love where they’re going, again.

    Atlantic Canada route restarts

    Route Peak FrequencyRoute restart date
    Charlottetown – Toronto  4x weeklyJune 25, 2021 
    Fredericton – Toronto 1x dailyJune 26, 2021 
    Deer Lake – Toronto 4x weeklyJune 27, 2021 
    Halifax – Sydney 1x dailyJune 28, 2021 
    Gander – Halifax 3x weeklyJune 30, 2021 
    Moncton – Toronto 1x dailyJuly 1, 2021 
    Halifax – Edmonton2x weeklyJuly 2, 2021
    Charlottetown – Calgary *2x weeklyJuly 29, 2021
    *New Route

    About WestJet 

    In 25 years of serving Canadians, WestJet has cut airfares in half and increased the flying population in Canada to more than 50 per cent. WestJet launched in 1996 with three aircraft, 250 employees and five destinations, growing over the years to more than 180 aircraft, 14,000 employees and more than 100 destinations in 23 countries, pre-pandemic.

    Since the start of the pandemic the WestJet Group of Companies has built a layered framework of safety measures to ensure Canadians can continue to travel safely and responsibly through the airline’s Safety Above All hygiene program. During this time, WestJet has maintained its status as one of the top-10 on-time airlines in North America as named by Cirium.

  • PAL Airlines steps in to fill flight gap in N.L. after Air Canada’s departure

    From CBC News – link to source story

    Carrier adding 12 new routes, promising fares as low as $69

    CBC News ·  Jun 17, 2021

    Newfoundland and Labrador carrier PAL Airlines will fly as far as Ottawa starting this summer. (Submitted by PAL Airlines)

    A Newfoundland and Labrador regional airline is stepping up to fill the void left by Air Canada’s departure from the majority of its routes in the province.

    PAL Airlines, which flies small aircraft out of airports across the province, is on the brink of the largest expansion in the company’s history, adding 12 new routes to its schedule. The airline will unveil service to Halifax, Fredericton, Saint John, Charlottetown, Ottawa and several Quebec destinations.

    They’ll be rolling out the new routes over the course of the summer as pandemic restrictions lift, says Janine Browne, the airline’s sales director.

    Those routes had previously been serviced by Air Canada, which slashed flights to smaller communities across the country over the last year in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. A spokesperson told CBC News in January that the airline’s overall capacity was down 80 per cent from the previous year at the time.

    The pandemic has been “devastating” for the industry, Browne said, noting PAL managed to “weather the storm.”

    “We were able … to continue serving all of our regions,” Browne said. “This is an essential service for many of the communities and towns and cities that we serve.”

    While Air Canada announced Tuesday it will be reestablishing some routes in the province, PAL’s expansion breathes life into airports still grappling with the pandemic.

    “Air access is absolutely essential to economic recovery,” she said.

    The expansion also offers customers an easier travel experience, Browne suggests, with more connecting destinations and partnerships with both WestJet and Air Canada — allowing passengers to buy one ticket and check their luggage only once during their trip.

    Ottawa eyeing steep fares

    But even as provinces set their reopening plans in motion for this summer, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians face significantly fewer travel options, with remaining flights to major domestic destinations costing more than usual.

    The price hike prompted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to tell local business owners earlier this month that Ottawa believed fares would fall as demand rises.

    “We’re watching very closely on connections, we’re watching very closely on reopening, we’re watching the prices, we’re watching tourism,” Trudeau told the St. John’s Board of Trade.

    “We’re watching all these different factors to make sure that if there are gaps or challenges that are going to slow our recovery that we address them.”

    Browne said she expects passengers to see significantly lower fares as the new routes launch, with some tickets setting passengers back as little as $69.

    There’s a catch, though. Despite the partnership with Air Canada, anyone booking a PAL flight can’t avail of Aeroplan points.

    That may change in the coming months, however.

    “Who knows what the future holds,” Browne said.

  • Air Canada Supports Economic Recovery as the Country’s Leading Carrier, Serving 50 Cities Across Canada to Enable Canadians to Conveniently Connect

    • Most extensive domestic schedule supports Canada’s tourism and hospitality sector
    • Includes three new routes, re-established routes plus Air Canada Signature Class and Premium Economy Class cabins on select transcontinental routes
    • New refund policy gives additional peace of mind

    MONTREAL, June 15, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ – Air Canada’s domestic peak summer schedule beginning at the end of June has been developed to advance the country’s economic recovery and support Canada’s tourism and hospitality businesses during the important summer period.  Three new domestic Canada routes, service to 50 Canadian airports, the re-establishment of select regional routes, and wide-body aircraft featuring Air Canada Signature Class and Premium Economy Class on select transcontinental routes are included. Seats with attractive pricing in all cabins are available for purchase now at aircanada.com, via the Air Canada App, Air Canada’s Contact Centres and travel agencies.

    “With Canada’s ongoing vaccine roll-out acceleration together with various provincial governments’ reopening plans that include travel, this summer is looking brighter. As customers are ready to travel, Air Canada is taking a leadership position to support our partners in Canada’s tourism and hospitality sector with service to 50 destinations from coast to coast, the re-start of regional services and new, non-stop flights,” said Mark Galardo, Senior Vice President, Network Planning and Revenue Management at Air Canada.

    “We are especially proud that our new state-of-the-art, Canadian-manufactured Airbus A220 aircraft will be operating across Canada. With our industry-leading CleanCare+ bio-safety protocols, promotional fares including for our premium cabins, compelling Aeroplan opportunities, and our new refund policy offering additional peace of mind, customers can book Air Canada with confidence.  We look forward to welcoming you onboard when you’re ready to fly,” concluded Mr. Galardo.

    Air Canada’s new refund policy provides customers an option for a refund to the original form of payment in instances where Air Canada cancels their flight or reschedules the departure time by more than three hours, irrespective of the reason. Air Canada customers will also have the option of accepting an Air Canada Travel Voucher or Aeroplan points with a 65% bonus.  Normal fare rules will apply when customers make voluntary changes to non-affected flights.

    New route details:

    RouteFrequencyAircraftEffective
    Montreal-Deer LakeDailyCRJ900Jul 1, 2021
    Montreal-Kelowna3x Weekly July4x Weekly AugAirbus A220June 26, 2021
    Montreal-Saskatoon-ReginaDailyCRJ900Aug 1, 2021

    Resumption of services:

    Airport StationRouteEffectiveFrequency
    Gander Gander – HalifaxJun 293x Weekly
     Gander – TorontoJul 25x Weekly
    St. John’s St. John’s – TorontoJun 19Daily
    Goose Bay Goose Bay – St. John’sJun 293x Weekly
    Deer Lake Deer Lake – HalifaxAug 15x Weekly
    Halifax Halifax – CalgaryAug 15x Weekly
    Sydney Sydney – TorontoJun 263x Weekly
     Sydney – MontrealAug 1Daily
    Charlottetown Charlottetown – TorontoJun 184x Weekly
    Saint John Saint John – MontrealJun 303x Weekly
     Saint John – TorontoJul 24x Weekly
    Fredericton Fredericton – MontrealJun 29Daily
     Fredericton – TorontoJul 15x Weekly
    Bathurst Bathurst – MontrealJun 273x Weekly
    Quebec City Quebec City – TorontoJun 191x Daily
    Ottawa Ottawa – CalgaryJul 2Daily
     Ottawa – EdmontonAug 12x Weekly
    North Bay North Bay – TorontoJun 283x Weekly
    Fort McMurray Fort McMurray – TorontoJuly 12x Weekly
    Winnipeg Winnipeg – CalgaryJun 206x weekly
     Winnipeg – MontrealAug 1Daily
    Regina Regina – CalgaryJul 15x Weekly
    Saskatoon Saskatoon – CalgaryJul 25x Weekly
    Kamloops Kamloops – VancouverJun 294x Weekly
     Kamloops – CalgaryJun 284x Weekly
    Comox Comox – VancouverJun 303x Weekly
    Nanaimo Nanaimo – TorontoJul 41x Weekly
     Nanaimo – CalgaryJul 25x weekly
    Prince Rupert Prince Rupert – VancouverJun 253x Weekly
    Penticton Penticton – VancouverJun 294x Weekly
    Sandspit Sandspit – VancouverJun 233x Weekly
    Victoria Montreal – VictoriaJun 193x Weekly
     Toronto – VictoriaJun 194x Weekly
     Calgary – VictoriaJun 214x Weekly
    Castlegar Castlegar – VancouverJun 283x Weekly
    Kelowna Kelowna TorontoJun 184x Weekly
    Yellowknife Yellowknife – CalgaryJun 303x Weekly

    Air Canada is also providing connectivity to five additional regional communities through interline agreements with third party regional carriers: Wabush, Baie Comeau, Gaspe, Mont Joli, and Val d’Or.

    Air Canada’s commercial schedule may be adjusted as required based on the COVID-19 trajectory and government restrictions.

    About Air Canada

    Air Canada is Canada’s largest domestic and international airline, and in 2020 was among the top 20 largest airlines in the world. It is Canada’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network. Air Canada is the only international network carrier in North America to receive a Four-Star ranking according to independent U.K. research firm Skytrax. In 2020, Air Canada was named Global Traveler’s Best Airline in North America for the second straight year. In January 2021, Air Canada received APEX’s Diamond Status Certification for the Air Canada CleanCare+ biosafety program for managing COVID-19, the only airline in Canada to attain the highest APEX ranking. Air Canada has also committed to a net zero emissions goal from all global operations by 2050.

  • Airlines pull back on summer plans for P.E.I. in light of reopening dates

    From CBC News – link to source story

    Charlottetown airport expects ‘significant reduction in capacity’ compared to previous plans

    CBC News · Jun 01, 2021

    Doug Newson, CEO of the Charlottetown Airport Authority, said he is now expecting fewer summer flights than he was anticipating earlier in the month. (CBC)

    The chief executive officer of the Charlottetown Airport Authority says Prince Edward Island’s reopening plans are having a negative impact on the number of flights being scheduled for at least the early part of the summer.

    Doug Newson told CBC News that talks have been taking place with Canada’s two major carriers, Air Canada and West Jet.

    Newson said uncertainty around when the Island will actually welcome visitors without them having to isolate and monitor for signs of COVID-19 for two weeks have led to a scaling-back in some tentative plans for the 2021 summer schedule.

    “It is a significant reduction in capacity,” he said. 

    Only a single Air Canada flight — to and from Montreal — has been scheduled at P.E.I.’s main airport for several months as the pandemic brought air travel to a near-halt.

    “Air Canada is still planning to add a flight to Toronto later in June, so as of June 17 we will have two flights: one Toronto, one Montreal,” Newson said. 

    The Charlottetown airport has been operating at a fraction of its normal pace during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Kirk Pennell/CBC)

    “WestJet is still planning to return on June 25, but they had originally planned to do 11 flights a week … that will be reduced down to four flights per week. 

    “Air Canada had originally planned to double their flight numbers in July, so two Montreal flights as well as two Toronto flights, and that’s been cut in half.” 

    Newson said August schedules for the airlines are not finalized.

    The Charlottetown airport CEO said some of the other provinces are opening up to the rest of Canada earlier than P.E.I. plans to, and that will likely impact summer vacation booking plans. 

    Newson agrees that safety is the top priority, but as COVID-19 vaccination rates go up he’s hoping P.E.I. officials will decide to move up the reopening schedule as well. 

  • Flair Airlines Extends Domestic Schedule into 2022

    The growing ULCC has released its Winter 2021/22 schedule for sale with fares starting from as low as $19

    Edmonton, Alberta, May 27, 2021 – Flair Airlines, Canada’s only independent ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC), has expanded its schedule with flights to domestic destinations now on sale until March 2022.  With 24 routes and over 650,000 seats on sale, Winter 2021/22 will be Flair’s biggest ever winter schedule.

    The winter schedule is part of Flair’s expansion of service to bring low fare air travel to more Canadians. The airline has 13 new aircraft on order joining the fleet in 2021 and 2022.

    “We understand how keen Canadians are to travel again and our winter schedule will provide affordable air travel options to help connect the many families and friends who have been apart for the past year,” says Garth Lund, Chief Commercial Officer. “With fares available from as low as $19 and new aircraft joining the fleet, Flair will continue its expansion into the winter season.”

    https://storage.googleapis.com/flyflair-cms-prod-storage/Route_Map_2021_with_YUL_EN_ed384ca900/Route_Map_2021_with_YUL_EN_ed384ca900.jpg

    Bookings are now available for travel through March 26, 2022.

    https://flyflair.com/where-we-fly

  • Sydney airport CEO encouraged by entry of new regional airline

    From CBC News – link to source story

    Mike MacKinnon says new flights from PAL Airlines will add jobs, boost confidence among travellers

    Tom Ayers · CBC News · May 26, 2021

    The CEO of the airport in Sydney, N.S., is looking forward to the return of air travel at the end of June, especially with the addition of new flights from regional carrier PAL Airlines. (Submitted by PAL Airlines)

    The CEO of the J.A. Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport is looking forward to the resumption of air travel in the Atlantic region, and he’s especially excited about the new arrival of an airline from Newfoundland and Labrador.

    Mike MacKinnon said having PAL Airlines come into the Maritimes will create jobs and add options for travellers.

    “Pre-pandemic, the airport itself had about 140 direct jobs at the airport … with the different entities that work here and we’re below 30 now, so anything is going to be an improvement over where we’ve been for the last year to 14, 15 months,” he said.

    Commercial flights have been shut down at Atlantic airports since January. They were set to restart at the end of May, but the pandemic’s third wave put that on hold.

    PAL Airlines has announced it will be flying out of Halifax, Charlottetown and Fredericton starting at the end of June and its inaugural flight out of Sydney, N.S., is on June 28.

    WestJet plans to restart Sydney-to-Halifax flights on June 28, while Air Canada has said it is resuming flights from Sydney to Toronto and Montreal on June 26 and from Sydney to Halifax on July 1.

    Janine Browne, director of business development and sales with PAL Airlines, says the company identified gaps in the regional marketplace and has the equipment and staff to fill them. (Submitted by PAL Airlines)

    MacKinnon said adding flight choices in Sydney will boost confidence among travellers.

    “It’s the road to recovery,” he said. “It’s encouraging to see that we’ve got a new carrier who are going to be operating interregional routes around Atlantic Canada and that’s great for our airport.”

    Janine Browne, director of business development and sales with PAL Airlines, said the company identified gaps in the regional marketplace and already has the equipment and staff to fill them.

    “It’s a huge expansion,” she said.

    “Our team is very excited that, during this challenging time, that we are able to do this.”

    The airline is starting from Sydney with a 37-seat Dash 8 that can also carry cargo.

    ‘People are really, really eager to travel,’ says PAL spokesperson

    Browne said the company is prepared to operate in a new environment, given differing health restrictions in each province.

    “We’re obviously keeping a close eye on government restrictions and respecting that, but we think it’s going to be the right time and we think that people are really, really eager to travel,” she said.

    “People are looking to get on that plane. People are looking to get in the air and fly.”

    PAL announced its plans to fly out of Sydney on Tuesday morning and by midday, had already taken some bookings, Browne said.