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Tag: Comox YQQ

  • 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.

  • Comox Valley Airport CEO cautiously optimistic about summer

    From Comox Valley Record – link to source story – Thanks to CW

    Airlines, increased schedule returns to the Comox Valley Airport

    ERIN HALUSCHAK | Jun. 10, 2021

    The Comox Valley Airport is hoping travel may increase this summer as passengers become more comfortable flying again. File photo

    The Comox Valley Airport is hoping travel may increase this summer as passengers become more comfortable flying again. File photo

    Looking ahead at the summer, Mike Atkins is cautiously optimistic.

    He knows there is pent-up demand for travel, but understands there needs to be a level of comfort and safety for passengers with pandemic and post-pandemic travel, particularly in aviation.

    Atkins is the chief executive officer of the Comox Valley Airport (YQQ), a role he took over in the midst of the pandemic in October 2020. While he is relatively new at the position, as the former 19 Wing commander, he understands not only the Comox Valley but the aviation industry as well.

    As with other airports across the country and world, passenger numbers have plummeted throughout the past year, but he is hopeful some signals from airlines operating out of the airport indicate signs of recovery to the hard-hit industry.

    “Starting at the end of the month, all airlines (from YQQ) have a very aggressive schedule,” he noted. “We’ll go from very little to having four airplanes remaining overnight.”

    Atkins said as a whole, the airport was always able to remain fully staffed since the start of the pandemic, thanks to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit which assisted in covering more than $700,000 in wages. They also received funding from the provincial government for ongoing operational costs and have applied for funding through the Regional Air Transportation Initiative, a $206-million federal government program to aid in the return in services in regional air transportation.

    At the start of the pandemic, YQQ lost services from Air Canada; Pacific Coastal Airlines paused their operations to and from the airport to Vancouver for about a month and while WestJet reduced their flight frequency, they did not pause their service and continue to service the airport.

    “(At the end of the month) Pacific Coastal will offer three flights daily, WestJet will fly to Calgary twice a day and will have a direct to Edmonton flight, along with WestJet link (to Vancouver) and a direct flight to Toronto. Right now, Air Canada will fly three days a week, and that may change to daily service,” said Atkins.

    In terms of the return of the Comox to Puerto Vallarta direct flight in the fall, Atkins noted there is still uncertainly around international travel as he is unsure what government regulations may be in place by then.

    “We are always looking at new routes and opportunities,” he added.

    With hopes of travellers returning, one of the main projects currently underway at the terminal building is the relocation of the pre-board screening area. Atkins explained the goal is to increase the distance between passengers in addition to the holding room, particularly when there are multiple flights arriving and departing.

    On June 23, the Comox Valley Airport will host their virtual annual general meeting at 3 p.m. For more information, visit comoxairport.com.

  • Military Search and Rescue plane in the Comox Valley this week

    From My Comox Valley Now – link to source story

    Jon Gauthier, staff Monday, May. 31st, 2021 

    Photo provided by 19 Wing Comox

    Even though the Snowbirds are gone, you can still get your fix of planes this week.

    While it won’t be jets, 19 Wing Comox says a CC-130H Hercules aircraft will be flying across the Comox Valley over the next week as part of search and rescue training.

    It will be here starting tomorrow and will stick around until next Tuesday, June 8th. 

    19 Wing Comox says search and rescue training requires low flying and repeated passes over a specific area but crews will be doing what they can to minimize the disruption to the community.

  • CF Snowbirds returning to Moose Jaw

    Link to Facebook video: https://fb.watch/5KadIfo7yW/

    https://www.facebook.com/CFSnowbirdsFC/posts/4187881584583843
    https://www.facebook.com/CFSnowbirdsFC/posts/4187567521281916
    https://www.facebook.com/CFSnowbirdsFC/posts/4186155188089816

  • CF Snowbirds Videos and Photos while Training in Comox

    11 May 2021 – CF Snowbirds Comox BC

    Videos

    https://www.facebook.com/CFSnowbirdsFC/posts/4137951292910206
    https://www.facebook.com/CFSnowbirdsFC/posts/4136734186365250

  • Suspected bird strike forces Snowbirds plane to make emergency landing on Vancouver Island

    From CTV News – link to source story and video – thanks to CW


    Gord Kurbis Journalist, CTV Vancouver Island | 10 May 2021

    A Canadian Snowbirds plane touched down for an emergency landing after a suspected bird strike during training.

    COMOX, B.C. — A pilot for the Canadian Snowbirds team brought his plane in for an emergency landing Monday after a suspected bird strike.

    The iconic aerobatics team is at 19 Wing Comox for their annual spring training session and are conducting flights twice each day.

    According to team spokesperson Capt. Gabriel Ferris, the incident happened as the team was lifting off for their 9:30 a.m. practice.

    Ferris said the pilot followed normal procedures and called an emergency for a suspected bird strike.

    “We want to make sure to put the aircraft on the ground to have maintenance look at it and assess it and have flight safety also have a look at it,” Ferris said.

    The pilot was able to put the aircraft safely on the ground and the remaining eight team continued on with the practice.

    “As soon as the aircraft was on the ground secured, then the practice of the airshow continued,” Ferris said.

    Eleven Snowbirds flew into Comox on May 3. Nine planes should be back in the air Monday afternoon, even if the affected plane is unable to fly.

    A bird strike on a Snowbirds plane contributed to the fatal crash last year that claimed the life of public affairs officer Capt. Jennifer Casey, according to a Royal Canadian Air Force investigation.

    A Snowbird airplane arrives at CFB Comox on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. (CTV Vancouver Island)

  • 407 Squadron defends Canada for 80 years

    From Comox Valley Record – link to source story – thanks to CW

    The Comox-based squadron celebrating special anniversary

    ERIN HALUSCHAK | 7 May 2021

    A 407 Squadron crew returns from an anti-submarine patrol during the Second World War. It was here their aggressive reputation earned them the moniker “The Demons.” Canadian Forces photo/submitted

    A 407 Squadron crew returns from an anti-submarine patrol during the Second World War. It was here their aggressive reputation earned them the moniker “The Demons.” Canadian Forces photo/submitted

    Eighty years ago, 407 Long Range Patrol Squadron was created with many responsibilities and different aircraft, but one principle has stayed the same: no matter the mission, the crews of 407 Squadron always get the job done.

    Stood up on May 8, 1941 at RAF Thorney Island in England as a Coastal Strike squadron, it was tasked with attacking Axis shipping while flying the Lockheed Hudson bomber. It was in this role that the squadron earned its nickname “Demons” for its aggressive and unrelenting low-level bombing runs, destroying or damaging an estimated 500,000 tons of enemy supplies.

    In 1943, it was changed to a general reconnaissance squadron and tasked to protect allied shipping from the menacing wolf packs of German U-boats, flying the behemoth Vickers Wellington bomber. Until the end of the Second World War, the “Demons” wreaked havoc on the U-boats, sinking four and damaging seven, thus helping to keep the vital supply lines from North America safe. It was here during the Battle of the Atlantic that the “Demons” lived up to their name.

    The squadron was disbanded on June 4, 1945 following the end of the war but reactivated on July 1, 1952 in its current home of Comox as 407 Maritime Reconnaissance Squadron.

    Flying the Avro Lancaster Mark 10 MR, its primary mission was anti-submarine warfare along with search-and-rescue and national sovereignty patrols. In 1958 the “Demons” traded in the Lancaster for the CP-122 Neptune, an aircraft specifically designed for anti-submarine warfare.

    In 1968, they traded the Neptune for the CP-107 Argus, a Canadian-made aircraft with improved sensors and endurance. This allowed the squadron to begin patrolling the vast expanses of the Canadian Arctic. In 1974, a 407 crew flew a maritime patrol from Comox to the Aleutian Islands and back at a time of 31 hours and six minutes, setting a world record for the longest un-refueled flight and putting 407 Squadron in the history books once again.

    On June 11, 1981 the “Demons,” now designated as maritime patrol squadron, entered the era of computerized warfare and took possession of its current workhorse, the CP-140 Aurora. A combination of Lockheed’s P-3 Orion and S-3 Viking aircrafts, the Aurora brought with it state-of-the-art reconnaissance, surveillance and anti-submarine capabilities. This made 407 Squadron one of the most versatile squadrons in the Canadian Armed Forces, able to conduct a multitude of missions like anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, search-and-rescue, sovereignty patrols, maritime interdiction, assistance to law enforcement and overland reconnaissance.

    The squadron routinely works with allied and partner nations as well as other Canadian departments like DFO, the RCMP, the Coast Guard, Transport Canada and NORAD.

    Some of its current operations include counter-narcotics enforcement off Central and South America, sanctions enforcement around North Korea, searching for illegal and unregulated fishing in the Pacific Ocean, counter-smuggling patrols in the western Indian Ocean, search and rescue missions at home, enforcing sovereignty along Canada’s west and north coasts, and tracking submarines all around the world.

    From the North Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, Afghanistan and Iraq to the Indian Ocean and East China Sea, the “Demons” are the eyes and ears of Canada’s military and after 80 years, they still get the job done.

    – Capt. Ian Paone/Canadian Forces

  • CF Snowbirds update in Comox BC

    https://www.facebook.com/CFSnowbirdsFC/posts/4124254210946581

    Over the Rocky Mountains on the way to Comox

    https://fb.watch/5krOBRrJsO/

  • Canadian Forces Snowbirds arrive in the Comox Valley Tuesday afternoon

    From My Comox Valley Now – link to source story – Thanks to CW

    Canadian Forces Snowbirds arrive in the Comox Valley Tuesday afternoon

    Jon Gauthier, staff Monday, May. 3rd, 2021 

    https://www.mycomoxvalleynow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/TankCam-Smoke-Trail–750×420.jpg

    Photo supplied by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds

    Get ready for the familiar sounds of jet engines in the Comox Valley.

    The Canadian Forces Snowbirds are making their return to CFB Comox Tuesday afternoon.

    The team will be conducting their annual spring training at the base until May 26th.

    Many valley residents are excited to have the planes return, and Public Affairs Officer for the team, Captain Gabriel Ferris says the crew shares the same excitement.

    “The team cannot wait to get out of here and start to go on the road. It’s pretty new for me this year because I’m the new PAO. But I see the electricity in the air around the squadron today and yesterday and even last week. People are just excited to go to Comox and they’re all talking to me about how Comox is their second home. How people over there are super caring and warm welcomes and they’re super excited to go back.”

    This year because of the pandemic no autograph session will be held and the team is encouraging the public not to gather at places like Air Force Beach or other areas. 

    Ferris says with the many photo enthusiasts in the valley, he’s sure everyone will be able to get a glimpse of the team from a safe distance.

    Ferris also says the last year has been hard on the Snowbirds after the loss of the previous PAO, Officer Captain Jennifer Casey. She was killed in a crash on May 17th, 2020 after the jet she was in hit a bird shortly after takeoff.

    He says to honour her, this year’s mission is Casey inspired. 

    “People didn’t know it but she was a big Star Wars fan, so we’re doing two manoeuvers. One is called Vader and people are going to be able to see them at the airshows,” explained Ferris.

    “And also the whole season is going to be called Operation Inspiration since that was her brainchild last year. She was the one who came up with the whole ‘let’s go around Canada and see people’ So we’re keeping the name and it’s going to be called Op: Inspiration this year. Basically, the whole 50th anniversary is going to be dedicated to her name.” 

    The Canadian Forces Snowbirds are expected to arrive in the Comox Valley Tuesday afternoon.

    To stay up to date with the team, visit their Twitter account. 

  • K’omoks First Nation Councillor appointed to Comox Valley Airport Commission board

    From Comox Valley Record – link to source story

    Richard Hardy has been appointed to the Comox Valley Airport Commission board. Photo supplied

    The Comox Valley Airport Commission (CVAC) has appointed Comox Valley Economic Development Society nominee Richard Hardy to the CVAC Board for a three-year term.

    Apr. 26, 2021

    The Comox Valley Airport Commission (CVAC) has appointed Comox Valley Economic Development Society nominee Richard Hardy to the CVAC Board for a three-year term.

    Hardy is a current member and Councillor of the K’omoks First Nation; prior to that appointment he was the general manager of the KFN aquaculture company, Pentlatch Seafoods LP. He has been an active member of the executive with the Comox Valley Economic Development Society (CVEDS) including serving as president. Before being involved with CVEDS, Hardy was a volunteer board member for the British Columbia Shellfish Growers Association.

    “Richard brings a wealth of experience in local government and economic development, in addition to his commercial experience,” said CVAC board chair Martin Crilly. “While the airport remains open to support essential travel, we are hopeful that we can soon turn our attention to setting a course to renewed growth, under the guidance of an experienced and diverse board. We welcome Richard’s willingness to join us in this effort.”

    The Comox Valley Airport Commission is the governing authority for the operation of the Comox Valley Airport. The nine-member commission is broadly representative of the Comox Valley community and its members are nominated by the City of Courtenay, the Town of Comox, the Village of Cumberland, the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD), the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Comox Valley Economic Development Society (CVEDS).

    CVAC is a federally incorporated, non-profit entity, established through letters patent in 1996.