[halifaxboyns]

Has Continentals YHZ-EWR route ceased to operate?

No, it's still operating with Embrarer regional jets. I'm just wondering if they will continue it with the Continental/United Merger (since I United doesn't use Newark as a focus or hub city). But according to wiki, it will become a United Hub, so I guess we'll have to see.

[beyeas]

No, it's still operating with Embrarer regional jets. I'm just wondering if they will continue it with the Continental/United Merger (since I United doesn't use Newark as a focus or hub city). But according to wiki, it will become a United Hub, so I guess we'll have to see.

Yeah for what it is worth, there was an ad on the side of a metro transit bus today advertising this route.

[halifaxboyns]

From the Chronicle Herald Website...


US Airways arrives here, will depart 3 times a day
Service begins with Halifax-Philly flights
By BILL POWER Business Reporter
Wed. Jun 2 - 4:53 AM


PREMIER DARRELL DEXTER welcomed US Airways to Nova Scotia on Tuesday, and said the arrival helps the province secure its place as Canada’s east coast gateway to the world.

An inaugural flight received a water cannon salute at Halifax Stanfield International Airport.

Airline officials promised an aggressive move into the market, beginning with three flights daily to Philadelphia with a 50-seat regional jet operated by partner Air Wisconsin.

"When it comes to serving as a gateway, there is more to Nova Scotia than our ports. We have excellent air connections as well," Dexter said in an interview.

Year-round flights operated by Air Wisconsin will depart Halifax daily at 7:40 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 5 p.m.

These are excellent departure times out of Halifax for business and leisure travellers heading to Philadelphia, said Michael Schmeltzer, the airline’s managing director of passenger sales.

He said US Airways is adding Halifax to its schedule as the U.S. air travel industry is beginning to show increased health after the recession.

"The economy is getting better in general. Our corporate bookings are up about 30 per cent over this time last year, so we’re pretty happy with the way things are going."

Schmeltzer said US Airways is the largest carrier operating out of Philadelphia, meaning there are lots of amenities for travellers waiting for any of the estimated 426 connecting flights offered daily by the airline out of its northeast U.S. hub facility.

Philadelphia is the airline’s international gateway, and there are connecting overseas flights available.

"The fact you have U.S. Customs pre-clearance in Halifax will make trips through Philadelphia very smooth," Schmeltzer said.

The Philadelphia connection comes as the industry in Nova Scotia is also beginning to show signs of improvement.

"We’re registering an increase in passenger growth of two per cent over last year. We are seeing the recovery happening," said Jerry Staples, vice-president of marketing and development for the Halifax International Airport Authority.

Michelle Mohr, a spokeswoman for the airline based in Charlotte, N.C., said sample fares were not prepared for the Halifax-Philadelphia service as there can be dramatic fluctuations depending on departure date.

"The best thing to do is visit the usairways.com website, since there can be significant fare changes for people in a position to change their schedule," she said.

( bpower@herald.ca)

Link to CH website (link)

[halifaxboyns]

From Westjet's news release section, selected excerpts of their July 7th Press Release:

"CALGARY, July 7 /CNW/ - WestJet today unveiled its winter schedule for 2010-2011, featuring three new destinations, 10 new routes and expanded service on more than 30 others - and at everyday low fares all year-round.

Beginning in November, WestJet will launch seasonal, non-stop service to New Orleans, Santa Clara (Cuba) and Grand Cayman Island, all from Toronto's Pearson International Airport.
WestJet will extend its non-stop service from seasonal to year-round between the following cities:


<<
- Ottawa and Halifax
- Ottawa and Vancouver
- Toronto and Bermuda
- Toronto and Samana, DR
- Toronto and Puerto Vallarta
- Montreal and Punta Cana.
>>

This winter schedule is a measured, balanced and strategic approach to domestic, trans-border and international growth," said Hugh Dunleavy, Executive Vice-President, Strategy and Planning. "Along with our high-value frequent guest program we launched in March, additional service to and from Ottawa expands upon our growing business travel offering. And, the introduction of new southern destinations from more Canadian gateways offers our guests more choices for their winter vacations."

"We are also pleased to announce seasonal, non-stop service to three new destinations from Toronto's Pearson International Airport," continued Hugh Dunleavy. "Our valued relationship with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority is a key building block to our ongoing, strategic approach to growth from Toronto."

"WestJet's continued commitment to growing services for the benefit of passengers using Toronto Pearson has been shown again by the announcement of these new routes," added Pamela Griffith-Jones, Chief Commercial Officer for the Greater Toronto Airports Authority. "We will continue to work with WestJet to support their needs and to help offer more choice and more routes for the communities we serve.""

Westjet website (www.westjet.com)

This means more competition in the Halifax to Ottawa market. Hopefully more competition will some come to the Halifax to Montreal and St. John's markets. Either way; more passengers at the airport, more gate utilization and land fees. All good!

[halifaxboyns]

Just noticed this on HSIA website; very interesting.

Airport Embarks on Next 10-Year Capital Plan
Includes bond issue and change to Airport Improvement Fee

Halifax, N.S. – As part of its planning for the next phase of improvements to Halifax Stanfield International Airport, the Halifax International Airport Authority is developing its next 10-year Capital Plan (2011-2020) to improve passenger safety, help reduce flight delays, develop new revenue streams, and continue to upgrade its facilities to expand current services and enhance the passenger/visitor experience.

“Halifax Stanfield International Airport (HSIA) is one of the most critical pieces of transportation infrastructure in Atlantic Canada,” says Tom Ruth, President & CEO of Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA). “Over half of all the air passengers and air cargo that move in our region pass through our airport. We’ve accomplished a lot since the airport was transferred from the federal government 10 years ago but there is more to be done to ensure HSIA continues to be a key driver in regional economic growth.”

HIAA’s comprehensive new 10-year Capital Plan will be finalized this fall, although its development has already identified several major infrastructure improvements, including:

the purchase of several new pieces of state-of-the-art snow and ice control equipment to significantly increase the efficiency and effectiveness of this crucial element of airfield safety management;
Terminal Building expansion of domestic/international check-in hall creating a higher volume, more efficient check-in process; expansion of the Terminal Building at the north end in anticipation of additional flights from European Union nations under Canada’s liberalized air access agreement with them, and additional U.S. preclearance flights; expansion of the south end of the building to accommodate additional jet bridges; expansion of retail/food & beverage locations post-security; and
the phased development of commercial, revenue-generating lots on airport property between the Terminal Building and Highway 102.
“These improvements are required to meet the needs of our current and future passengers and visitors, allowing us to compete effectively for new business anticipated from Canada’s “Blue Sky” initiative with the European Union, and to adapt to the long-term needs of our airline partners,” says Ruth.

There are three ways major Canadian airports like Halifax Stanfield can fund necessary capital improvements – reinvest operating surpluses, borrow, and use the Airport Improvement Fee (AIF). Like other airports, HIAA uses all three. Operating surpluses will continue to be reinvested; a bond issue is planned for later this year; and the AIF is being changed to $20 from $15, effective January 1, 2011. This change will be reflected on airline tickets sold on or after October 1, 2010 for Halifax passengers whose flight departs on or after January 1, 2011.

Like 50 other Canadian airports, HIAA uses the revenue from the AIF to help fund its airport improvement program. Projects at HSIA to be funded by the AIF are determined through a consultation process with the airlines that serve Halifax. The AIF, which is added to the price of each originating airline ticket, is collected by the airlines.

“Responsible, effective management of the growth and development of the airport is essential to ensure its long-term financial health,” says Ruth. “We are committed to providing the necessary infrastructure, both as Nova Scotia’s principal air connection to the world and as a huge economic engine for our community. This new 10-Year Capital Plan will help us fulfill these responsibilities.”

“Management of this critical asset requires that we budget and manage our resources to create modest annual surpluses, allowing us to maintain moderate aeronautical fees charged to airlines to enhance our competitive position; maintain our A+ credit rating; and maintain a debt per enplaned passenger ratio that is below the average of the other major airports in Canada,” adds Ruth.

(from HIAA.ca)

[fenwick16]

There has been talk about extending the main runway. I wonder if they will do this in the next 10 years? I sometimes wonder if the main runway had of been longer if it would have saved the 747 cargo plane from crashing a few years ago (I think that 7 people were killed on the cargo plane).

[halifaxboyns]

QUOTE=fenwick16;4936998]There has been talk about extending the main runway. I wonder if they will do this in the next 10 years? I sometimes wonder if the main runway had of been longer if it would have saved the 747 cargo plane from crashing a few years ago (I think that 7 people were killed on the cargo plane).[/QUOTE]

No it wouldn't have. I asked the same question of a pilot friend of mine when I was out doing my Thursday night Kareoke (not singing - enduring) with some friends, one of whom flies for Westjet.

As he explained it to me (from his understanding of what happened); the aircraft actually had fully rotated and so was airborne at the time that the straps holding the cargo snapped. So while it was at the typical take off angle; the cargo let go and shifted so significantly that it changed the aircrafts angle of take off and shifted the plane causing the crash. So a longer runway wouldn't have mattered because the aircraft was airbourne by the time it reached taxiway charlie - so extra room wouldn't have mattered.

Airfield Diagram (http://www.gcmap.com/diagrams/pdf/CYHZ.pdf)

[fenwick16]

No it wouldn't have. I asked the same question of a pilot friend of mine when I was out doing my Thursday night Kareoke (not singing - enduring) with some friends, one of whom flies for Westjet.

As he explained it to me (from his understanding of what happened); the aircraft actually had fully rotated and so was airborne at the time that the straps holding the cargo snapped. So while it was at the typical take off angle; the cargo let go and shifted so significantly that it changed the aircrafts angle of take off and shifted the plane causing the crash. So a longer runway wouldn't have mattered because the aircraft was airbourne by the time it reached taxiway charlie - so extra room wouldn't have mattered.

Airfield Diagram (http://www.gcmap.com/diagrams/pdf/CYHZ.pdf)

I don't want to sound disagreeable but the Transportation Safety Board indicated pilot error in entering the load so the plane did not reach sufficient speed to take off - http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2006/06/29/mkairlines-tsb.html . I remember reading witness reports (airport staff) who saw the tail of the plane dragging on the runway as it tried to lift off. I also remember reading that the throttle setting was set to too low a value as it tried to take off (82% of maximum thrust is what sticks in my mind but I can't be sure of that number). But even at this throttle setting, if there had of been a longer runway it might have gained enough speed to take off. However, the pilot should have set the throttle to higher power but didn't because he entered a cargo weight that was mistakenly low. However, we will never know for sure since the black box was destroyed in the fire.

[halifaxboyns]

I prefaced my post that we were at Kareoke; so we were drinking :)
That may be - but if the tail was dragging already; I'd guess that if it didn't get off the ground, it probably wouldn't have gotten off the ground no matter how long the runway was.

[alps]

Sorry for the odd look to the images -- was in a hurry and brought the wrong lens. The first two were taken in the connecting bit between the arrivals/baggage area and the big atrium with the Tim Hortons. You know, it used to be a low-ceilinged, windowless hallway lined with arcade machines and ATMs? The renovation is great. It's very airy-feeling and the wall opposing the windows is lined with paintings by local artists.

The wood laminate looks a little bit cheap but makes the place feel warm.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l217/halps00/bf4dc26e.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l217/halps00/21d4f40d.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l217/halps00/3774eb19.jpg

[fenwick16]

Thanks for the images. The renovation is a big improvement.

[halifaxboyns]

I think the wood panelling looks rather good - it gives a very maritime feeling to the airport (since much of the maritimes is wooden homes).

That's the one thing I will give the HIAA credit for: they really made a huge effort of making the interior of the airport have a maritime feel and vibe to it. They could've easily made it like any other airport, huge with glass and steel and now real style or 'feel' to it, but they didn't. It's hard to really describe a 'maritime feel' unless you read into the materials more meaning; which I think is there. Wood and wood accent looking back on our past (many homes made of wood); steel for modern feel (but also in a way an odd to ship building) and the big sweeping window to let in lots of light because our sky is beautiful.

This is the kind of thinking used in BC; when they talk about BC Earth, Sea and Sky (like how they designed the Canada Line Station at YVR). If we ever get an LRT/skytrain type of system - I'd like to see similar style used for any at grade or above ground stations.

Btw; I too remember when the arrivals area was this very low ceiling cramped area. If you had about 200 people in there (which was more than typical at Christmas) it felt like you'd be crushed. If I look back on my thoughts of the airport then and now; I never would've dreamed this airport would've grown like this. I look forward to the next expansions of the airport. As it turns out, my friend Benji and his dad are the architects behind much of the airport's current design. They have it on their website - which isn't really well designed but has a slide show of their work. They designed the new domestic arrivals area - where you come down the escolator onto the ground floor - which is so lovely with it's natural light!

Nycum & Associates (http://www.nycum.com/)

[macgregor]

Year Six of Airfield Restoration Program Starts Monday

August 6, 2010

The 2010 portion of the Airfield Restoration Program at Halifax Stanfield International Airport is set to begin Monday, August 9, 2010. The project will be completed in phases to minimize the impact on airfield operations.

This is the sixth year of Halifax International Airport Authority’s Airfield Restoration Program and will focus on three of the airport’s taxiways. The work is vital to maintaining the integrity and operation of these taxiways that have reached the end of their lifecycle, and the improvements will help improve safety and reliability.

Due to the location of the work on the taxiways, Runway 05/23 will be unavailable weekly from Monday at 7 a.m. until Saturday at 4 p.m. from August 9 until October 3, with the exception of the Labour Day long weekend. Runway 14/32 will remain fully operational during this time.

Following extensive research, consultation and weather analysis, the construction schedule was developed to minimize the risk of impacts on flights from weather conditions such as high winds or low visibility. The work is planned through to mid-October when the risk of weather impacts is reduced. However, unusual weather conditions may occur that would have the potential to impact flight schedules and create delays.

Phase 1 – August 9 to September 3 – Taxiway Delta (short)
This phase of construction on Taxiway Delta will include milling asphalt surfaces, removing slate fill, reconstructing base materials and asphalt paving; reconstructing existing stabilized shoulders; replacing edge drainage system; and replacement of the taxiway edge lighting system.

Phase 2 – September 7 to October 2 – Taxiways Echo, Foxtrot and Golf
During this phase of construction on Taxiways Echo and Golf, work will include milling asphalt surfaces, removing slate fill, reconstructing base materials and asphalt paving; reconstructing existing stabilized shoulders; replacing edge drainage system; and replacement of taxiway edge lighting and centerline inset lighting. Although no work will be done on Taxiway Foxtrot, it will be closed during this construction phase because of its proximity to Echo and Golf Taxiways.

Phase 3 – October 4 to 16 – Taxiways Echo, Foxtrot and Golf
Work will continue on portions of Taxiways Echo and Golf that will enable Runway 05/23 to reopen, although Taxiway Foxtrot will remain closed.

Not all work originally planned for year six will be done in 2010. Restoration work on taxiways Delta (long) and Foxtrot will be deferred until 2011 to facilitate a NAVCANADA project completed this summer to replace the instrument landing system on Runway 14/32. The remaining work to be done next year on the taxiways will have minimal impact on airport operations.

Following a competitive tendering process, this year’s work was awarded to Dexter Construction Company Limited, part of the Municipal Group of Companies of Bedford, Nova Scotia. Total funding for the 2010 program is $7 million.

[fenwick16]

I wonder when they will start the actual 4/23 runway extension - they plan to extend to about 10,000 feet (that would leave more room for safety for jumbo jets). It was mentioned in the allnovascotia a few weeks ago and is in their masterplan - http://www.hiaa.ca/images/pdf_files/Master%20Plan%20Summary.pdf . From what I remember reading, I think that they are trying to get some federal funding for it through the Atlantic Gateways funding.

I wish Hiaa would go back to their old website format - the new one just seems cluttered and information is difficult to find without thoroughly searching. It seems like many organizations change their website just for the sake of making changes - kind of like Microsoft - once a software application becomes too easy to use then they change it to something that is frustrating to use.

[halifaxboyns]

I have to say that one of the joy's of coming home to Halifax (when I visit) is the airport. So many big city airports don't seem to have a theme or a sense of the community. Yes, you can have volunteers dressing a certain way (like here in calgary with the volunteer's in white hats); but it's more than people in a tartan vest.

Halifax's airport has a sense of it's community, at least for me. It uses what seems to be a growing architectural theme in Halifax, certain wood accents (such as the panels) and large flowing glass to enjoy the sunlight.

Vancouver has done a good job of that by using the idea of earth, sea and sky and having native art included as well. I'm not sure if native art could be added to HIAA, but I would enjoy it. While I hope that YHZ will continue to grow, I don't want it to grow too big and turn into huge over the top airport that has no real sense of connection with the city it serves!

[planarchy]

I have to say that one of the joy's of coming home to Halifax (when I visit) is the airport. So many big city airports don't seem to have a theme or a sense of the community. Yes, you can have volunteers dressing a certain way (like here in calgary with the volunteer's in white hats); but it's more than people in a tartan vest.

Halifax's airport has a sense of it's community, at least for me. It uses what seems to be a growing architectural theme in Halifax, certain wood accents (such as the panels) and large flowing glass to enjoy the sunlight.

Vancouver has done a good job of that by using the idea of earth, sea and sky and having native art included as well. I'm not sure if native art could be added to HIAA, but I would enjoy it. While I hope that YHZ will continue to grow, I don't want it to grow too big and turn into huge over the top airport that has no real sense of connection with the city it serves!


I get your point, but YHZ still misses the mark. Big improvement yes, but still not a great renovation. Everytime I come through, I find all the finishes look really cheap - especially in international arrival/customs area.

We should be looking to Scandinavian airports for inspiration. They do a great job of using warm tones through wood and stone, as well as mimicking traditional building forms.

Copenhagen Airport:
http://www.worldchanging.com/1390848313_d6215b18bd.jpg
[Source: [http://www.worldchanging.com/]

http://www.prettypop.net/photos/2003/20030903-13_denmark_germany_austria/20030903_copenhagen_airport.jpg
[Source: http://www.prettypop.net/photos/]


Keflavik International Airport in Iceland:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/4986227368_fcee04da8f.jpg
[Source: Flickr]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/Keflav%C3%ADk_Airport_south_building_interior.jpg/450px-Keflav%C3%ADk_Airport_south_building_interior.jpg
[Source: Flickr]

[halifaxboyns]

I guess the issue you'd need to look at is what exactly is Halifax's style? We'd need to define it better than just certain materials, colours and forms.

[worldlyhaligonian]

I get your point, but YHZ still misses the mark. Big improvement yes, but still not a great renovation. Everytime I come through, I find all the finishes look really cheap - especially in international arrival/customs area.

We should be looking to Scandinavian airports for inspiration. They do a great job of using warm tones through wood and stone, as well as mimicking traditional building forms.


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/Keflav%C3%ADk_Airport_south_building_interior.jpg/450px-Keflav%C3%ADk_Airport_south_building_interior.jpg
[Source: Flickr]

I hope our library interiors turn out like these ^ :yes:

However unlikely this may be.

[fenwick16]

I get your point, but YHZ still misses the mark. Big improvement yes, but still not a great renovation. Everytime I come through, I find all the finishes look really cheap - especially in international arrival/customs area.

We should be looking to Scandinavian airports for inspiration. They do a great job of using warm tones through wood and stone, as well as mimicking traditional building forms.

Again you make an ideological statement that is completely devoid of any consideration of cost. I believe Iceland is essentially bankrupt - is this the model that you feel the HRM should follow? I think that the HIAA did a great job by getting the most for the budget that it had available. Their objective was a financially responsible design, not revolutionary design at any cost as it seems is your desire.

The Copenhagen Airport design that you show is, in my opinion, an expensive waste of available space and money.

[halifaxboyns]

I don't know if I full agree or disagree with you on this one Fenwick.

One issue I notice when I fly home during the Christmas rush is there the hold rooms are getting cramped; especially during peak times. It also seems (it might just be perception) that the walking areas are a little cramped too. So I don't think having more room for people to walk from the gates etc. is a bad idea.

Certainly Toronto's terminal is an example of a huge space with such a huge roof on the central domestic concourse. Does Halifax need something like that? Maybe in the future if the airport keeps growing - but probably not now.

Cost will always be a factor for a project and they need to get the most bang for the buck. I suspect as the airport grows, it will change with that growth. But for me; I rather enjoy the fact that it has a particular Nova Scotia charm to it, at least for me. I still miss driving out with friends for a coffee and watch the airplanes. Yeah, I can do that here in Calgary (and see bigger aircraft) but it's not the same without my pals back home.

[planarchy]

I believe Iceland is essentially bankrupt - is this the model that you feel the HRM should follow? I think that the HIAA did a great job by getting the most for the budget that it had available. Their objective was a financially responsible design, not revolutionary design at any cost as it seems is your desire.


Iceland's economic collapse was hardly due to the money they spent on their airport. Things aren't this simple, but I'm sure you already know this.

In no way am I talking revolutionary design, I'm just talking good design. And I'm not talking about purely aesthetics and finishes, although that's certainly part of it. I'll I'm saying is that this could have been better and within the same budget. I go through this airport frequently and it is a huge improvement. I just wish we'd stop settling for the easy answer on 95% of development projects in the region. I agree with Halifaxboyns- part of the problem is a lack of regional style. It is there, but its like we afraid of doing things too different, so we settle for a mix of regional iconism - read lighthouses - that is far too literal, and more generic, safe international office style. This mix is toxic, yet it seems to be our standard.

Brian MacKay Lyons is probably the best know architects trying to (re)establish a regional style with a commitment to the "use of Atlantic Canadian vernacular materials and construction techniques". I think offering him a big high profile commission - other than university - could really benefit the region.

A small residential example, but applicable none-the-less:

http://www.designporn.ca/wp2/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/lyons3.jpg
[source: http://www.designporn.ca/2010/08/24/mackay-lyons-architecture/]

[Jstaleness]

A big Giant Lighthouse is what our airport needs. Nav Canada should redesign the Control Tower to look like one. Boy that would be swell! Forget all that modern stuff, lol.

[halifaxboyns]

One way to expand on the 'Atlantic theme' you mention Planarchy is with the regional plan, when it comes due to renew it (probably 5 years before it expires).

I say that because Calgary did the same exercise before it did Plan It - which is the city's new municipal development plan (MDP) - same idea as the regional plan.

They created a forum called ImagineCalgary - which was a huge visioning exercise about where citizens saw Calgary in the future - where and how it would grow, downtown development, high density versus low and style questions. They came up with a vision from that process, which then flowed into Plan It as principles towards the final plan. I think in the end the vision got watered down because of political pressure, but for the most part many of the key concepts followed. I'll post something in the thread I created on the regional plan with a link to the Imagine Calgary website.

[planarchy]

One way to expand on the 'Atlantic theme' you mention Planarchy is with the regional plan, when it comes due to renew it (probably 5 years before it expires).

I say that because Calgary did the same exercise before it did Plan It - which is the city's new municipal development plan (MDP) - same idea as the regional plan.

They created a forum called ImagineCalgary - which was a huge visioning exercise about where citizens saw Calgary in the future - where and how it would grow, downtown development, high density versus low and style questions. They came up with a vision from that process, which then flowed into Plan It as principles towards the final plan. I think in the end the vision got watered down because of political pressure, but for the most part many of the key concepts followed. I'll post something in the thread I created on the regional plan with a link to the Imagine Calgary website.

The Regional Plan is up for review next year - 2011. And while visioning exercises can be useful in some applications, as you point out, they are not so effective at a regional scale and produce the same generic results "build a sustainable community, a place to live, work, play" and all that meaningless stuff. I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a visioning process at a regional scale that produced any meaningful and contextual results. I will take a look at the Imagine Calgary website through. Always interested at how other cities/municipalities approach these types of processes.

[halifaxboyns]

The Regional Plan is up for review next year - 2011. And while visioning exercises can be useful in some applications, as you point out, they are not so effective at a regional scale and produce the same generic results "build a sustainable community, a place to live, work, play" and all that meaningless stuff. I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a visioning process at a regional scale that produced any meaningful and contextual results. I will take a look at the Imagine Calgary website through. Always interested at how other cities/municipalities approach these types of processes.

Well Plan it got watered down from Imagine simply because of the density target issue. Council wanted to set a minimum density for new communities (based on the gross development area) and unfortunately my marked up copy isn't around my desk. Whatever the minimum was for the MDP; it got watered down at the last minute because of political pressure.

I think the review in 2011 for the RPS for HRM is to give an update on how well it's goals are being met, not an overall review and tweak?

[planarchy]

Well Plan it got watered down from Imagine simply because of the density target issue. Council wanted to set a minimum density for new communities (based on the gross development area) and unfortunately my marked up copy isn't around my desk. Whatever the minimum was for the MDP; it got watered down at the last minute because of political pressure.

I think the review in 2011 for the RPS for HRM is to give an update on how well it's goals are being met, not an overall review and tweak?

Someone else here may be able to confirm, but almost sure that this a broad review with opportunities to refocus objectives. It is probably going to a rough ride - I know a number of groups are ramping up to get their input in.

[worldlyhaligonian]

I just want that Sheraton tower that was proposed a couple of years ago to be built!

[halifaxboyns]

Well I guess we'll see what happens with the regional plan. Getting back to what you were saying about a Nova Scotia theme; I was thinking about this on my long walk home (all 5 minutes from my office to my condo hehe).

Perhaps instead of a review as part of the regional plan for a design theme, the Nova Scotia Association of Architects could discuss the issue and come to some consensus as to what that would be? Perhaps it could come out of their annual AGM (I see from their website they have them)?

Then when companies go to hire consultants, even if not all architects sign on to the idea, when say the HIAA does an RFP or hires a contractor for design services they could require they design as per whatever is agreed upon by the NSAOA?

[hfx_chris]

A big Giant Lighthouse is what our airport needs. Nav Canada should redesign the Control Tower to look like one. Boy that would be swell! Forget all that modern stuff, lol.
They could just relocate the airport's rotating beacon from the roof of the terminal building to the tower! :haha:

[halifaxboyns]

Rude agents spur some to dodge Halifax
Consultant: Customs 'always an ordeal'
By JEFFREY SIMPSON Provincial Reporter
Tue, Oct 12 - 9:54 AM
The aggressive attitude and rude behaviour of border officials have prompted some frequent travellers to shun flying directly into Halifax when returning home from abroad.

"It’s an unpleasant experience and I try to avoid it," one Halifax business consultant said in an interview.

"It’s consistently the worst place to come back into."

The man, who didn’t want his name published for fear of reprisals from the Canada Border Service Agency, said he flies often to Europe, Asia and the United States for his work and has never encountered such poorly trained officials as at Halifax Stanfield International Airport.

He tries arranging his itinerary so he enters the country in Toronto or Montreal, where he never has problems, he said.

"It’s a consistent prosecutorial attitude," he said about Halifax.

"If you don’t behave in a proper manner or are somehow resentful or show any indication that you haven’t liked their inquisitive attitude, then you’re detained for a search."

He describes the secondary search and interrogation about his travels as like being in "a punishment cell."

The man said he thought he was alone in his troubling experience with officials in Halifax and writing a letter of complaint never occurred to him. But documents released under the Access to Information Act from the Canada Border Services Agency show that other airline passengers arriving in Halifax have endured similar experiences. The written complaints revealed by The Chronicle Herald on Monday prompted dozens of readers to share their frustrating experiences.

"It’s always an ordeal," the business consultant said. "Their management is allowing them to adopt this attitude."

Jodi McLeod, who lives in New Brunswick, said her elderly, wheelchair-bound American in-laws were reduced to tears from the grilling they received from border services agents upon arriving in Halifax in June.

"It broke my heart," McLeod said. "It was so disturbing to them."

Her husband’s parents have owned a house in LaHave for 20 years, but an official still interrogated them about why they were coming to Canada and made nasty comments, telling them they weren’t wanted in the country, she said.

"She made it very clear to them that she had the power to put them back on a plane to the U.S.," McLeod said of the officer.

"She said it was people like ‘them’ that were coming into our country and bleeding our health-care system and our social system."

McLeod and her husband phoned to complain formally to the agency.

"Whoever processed them, in my opinion, needs to go back to the trailer park and get another job," she said.

"Park your politics at home. It was clear she had a complete distaste for Americans."

Linda Mason, of Crouse’s Settlement in Lunenburg County, said her experiences flying home through Halifax also make her want to avoid it.

"They just have this terrible attitude," Mason said. "I’d rather come into Canada through Toronto."

She was upset after being flagged for a secondary inspection upon returning home from New York three years ago. The border official sifted through her prescriptions and asked why she was taking a blood pressure pill.

"I just found it humiliating," Mason said.

"If you say something and your name goes up on a screen and you get flagged, well then, good luck."

Bernd Michaelis, a German who flew into Halifax on a Condor flight with about 200 of his fellow countrymen last year, said the Europeans were shocked to be greeted by two customs agents with a dog who shouted at them to line up against a wall.

"Please understand that German people, especially of the ‘older’ variety — and most of them were — have been marked by the atrocities of the Third Reich and the Cold War and are very, very sensitive to this sort of approach," Michaelis said.


Joel MacDougall, a spokesman for the Canada Border Services Agency, told The Chronicle Herald last week in a written statement that such allegations are taken seriously and every complaint is investigated.

"All CBSA employees are subject to strict standards of conduct," the statement says. "Any breaches are dealt with in accordance with public service standards of discipline . . . up to and including termination."

( jsimpson@herald.ca)

‘I’d rather come into Canada through Toronto’
Lunenburg County woman
LINDA MASON

It's stories like this that airlines look for when considering new destinations. This doesn't bode well for YHZ if they are trying to attract new routes. Why would say British Airways or Air France/KLM come to Halifax if their passengers are going to be treated like dirt?

[Dmajackson]

I don't fly that often (every couple years or so) but from what Ive experienced the personnel at Stanfield are very respectful and act in a professional manner. Now Ft. Lauderdale airport on the other hand is the worst place to fly into.

[halifaxboyns]

I don't fly that often (every couple years or so) but from what Ive experienced the personnel at Stanfield are very respectful and act in a professional manner. Now Ft. Lauderdale airport on the other hand is the worst place to fly into.

I got the impression they were talking about the border security folks who deal with people coming into Canada from the US/Europe - not the CATSA people at security just off the main hall. Those people I've never had a problem with - especially when I had my grandmother travelling with me.

The border security folks react how you react - if you treat them with respect and are nice to them; they will be nice back. But these people who are just mean for the sake of being mean - that's not right.

If this continues; you'll end up driving people to fly internationally from other markets and Halifax's transborder and international services won't grow well.

[beyeas]

Yeah it sounds to me more like a few bad seeds, rather than the whole system being broken.

I travel a lot, including having lived for years at a time outside of Canada, and can definitely agree that I have seen this type of behaviour at airports around the world (hell, I saw a Lufthansa gate agent reach over the desk and start pummeling a traveller once!). It is not unique to Halifax by any stretch! That doesn't excuse what is clearly improper behaviour by some, but I don't think that Halifax in particular has an issue... more likely just the press creating a story.

[planarchy]

This article is right on the mark. Halifax is by far the worst airport in Canada to go through customs at, and it is no secret. Border agents are overly aggressive, it is ridiculously slow despite the staff/passenger ratio. The only airport I've ever seen border agents with dogs search EVERY single person going through customs. And it wasn't a rare occasion - I've seen this happen a number of times.

Despite all the shit that staff at airports like Heathrow and Pearson deal with, they always seem polite and professional. Beyeas - Lufthansa/German airport staff are definitely aggressive as well, but at least they are efficient! Halifax is neither!

[pnightingale]

"If you don’t behave in a proper manner or are somehow resentful or show any indication that you haven’t liked their inquisitive attitude, then you’re detained for a search."

I think I see what his problem is.... Everyone knows you don't talk down to the border agents! That's just ridiculous.

As for my experiences, I have found coming through customs in Halifax to be one of the better experiences. Maybe it's got something to do with the fact that I'm from Halifax, and they can see that in my passport, but when I fly home and have to go through customs in Toronto, I find it a much worse experience.

Of course, going through Canadian customs is nothing compared to going through US customs. That can be just plain scary. Although, again, I'd have to say clearing US customs in Halifax is better than doing so elsewhere in my experience.

[beyeas]

I still maintain that it is no worse than other places. I am not denying that there are some potentially horrible border agents in Halifax, but in my experience the rate of that is similar to elsewhere.

I once had a US border agent tell me that he was going to rip up my work visa because why should I come into his country and take jobs from Americans (I refrained from pointing out that the US doesn't have enough people trained to do my job, and in fact the US was benefitting from Canada having paid for 22 years of education only to have me take that training to the US... I somehow felt that logic wasn't one of his strengths!).

I also had a friend of mine who was a foreign graduate student get stopped by US border services and told that it was a privilege not a right to enter the US and unless he personally thanked him for letting him in that he was going to be denied... he refused, and the agent held him back just exactly long enough that he missed his flight.

Halifax doesn't have the monopoly on power hungry border agents.

[beyeas]

This article is right on the mark. Halifax is by far the worst airport in Canada to go through customs at, and it is no secret. Border agents are overly aggressive, it is ridiculously slow despite the staff/passenger ratio. The only airport I've ever seen border agents with dogs search EVERY single person going through customs. And it wasn't a rare occasion - I've seen this happen a number of times.

Despite all the shit that staff at airports like Heathrow and Pearson deal with, they always seem polite and professional. Beyeas - Lufthansa/German airport staff are definitely aggressive as well, but at least they are efficient! Halifax is neither!

I will grant you that Frankfurt is at least efficient... rude, but efficient :-)

[worldlyhaligonian]

I still maintain that it is no worse than other places. I am not denying that there are some potentially horrible border agents in Halifax, but in my experience the rate of that is similar to elsewhere.

I once had a US border agent tell me that he was going to rip up my work visa because why should I come into his country and take jobs from Americans (I refrained from pointing out that the US doesn't have enough people trained to do my job, and in fact the US was benefitting from Canada having paid for 22 years of education only to have me take that training to the US... I somehow felt that logic wasn't one of his strengths!).

I also had a friend of mine who was a foreign graduate student get stopped by US border services and told that it was a privilege not a right to enter the US and unless he personally thanked him for letting him in that he was going to be denied... he refused, and the agent held him back just exactly long enough that he missed his flight.

Halifax doesn't have the monopoly on power hungry border agents.

Oh, the US ones are the worst... but you can't mess with people who have the power.

They have no understanding of tri-lateral agreements like the NAFTA, or that Canadian companies employ a significant amount of Americans.

The best way to deal with any of these people is to go wayyy up the food chain and don't directly contact confront them.

[alps]

I've never had any bad experiences with staff at Halifax airport. I was grilled a little in Vancouver once, but that's their job...

Complaining about the drug-sniffing dogs is even more ridiculous a complaint.


"Whoever processed them, in my opinion, needs to go back to the trailer park and get another job," she said.


^ sounds like this woman has a superiority complex she cannot seem to contain at the customs counter and the agents are reacting to that.

[David1gray]

New airline for Maritimes

East Coast Airways has announced it will start service to five communities in the Maritime provinces on Nov. 1.

Sample fares

Halifax – Charlottetown $139

Sydney – Halifax $169

Saint John – Halifax $149

Yarmouth – Halifax $179

The new airline is targeting what it calls under-served cities in the three provinces: Charlottetown, Halifax, Yarmouth, N.S., and Sydney, N.S., and Saint John, N.B.

Jay Hasson, the president of operations, said the airline, which is based in Halifax, will use small turboprop planes that can carry 19 passengers. When the service expands, bigger planes will be added.

"We'll be utilizing about five airplanes to service all the cities," Hasson said. "We have daily non-stops and then we will add more airplanes in 2011 for a total of between 17 and 20 aircraft."

Hasson said schedules are designed for the convenience of business customers.

"We've got schedules that will get you out in the morning, not too early, but it'll get you home for suppertime," he said. "We run several times a day to most of our cities."

Joyce MacDougall of the Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to see more competition at the local airport.

"That always drops fares, gives people more options of flight times and makes sure that Sydney Airport is busy," MacDougall said.

Fares for most flights range between $150 and $200


http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2010/10/18/pei-east-coast-airways-584.html

[someone123]

Yeah it sounds to me more like a few bad seeds, rather than the whole system being broken.

Actually it is a pretty miserable system in the sense that it produces very little benefit at a huge cost, especially when it comes to the US border. It is also an unfair system in the sense that it tends to be dictated by the US and driven by fear more than careful reasoning.

Searching for drugs at the Canada-US border makes no sense even if you think those ridiculous laws are worthwhile. Pot is grown in the US too and everything else can either be produced in the US (much much more easily than smuggling) or comes from other countries.

It's really sad to note that security in US airports now is actually lower than security in Canadian airports in a variety of ways. For example, on domestic flights in the US they do not verify your passport or ID before boarding, they just look at your boarding pass. I believe this was proposed as a requirement in the US but was rejected as being too much of an inconvenience.

The current system has many elements that cost billions and billions of dollars per year but do not come with any real benefit.

[MonctonRad]

"The new airline is targeting what it calls under-served cities in the three provinces: Charlottetown, Halifax, Yarmouth, N.S., and Sydney, N.S., and Saint John, N.B."


Halifax, Underserved?!??!., Halifax!! :lmao:

[Keith P.]

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2010/10/18/pei-east-coast-airways-584.html

Jay Hasson, the president of operations, said the airline, which is based in Halifax, will use small turboprop planes that can carry 19 passengers. When the service expands, bigger planes will be added.

"We'll be utilizing about five airplanes to service all the cities," Hasson said. "We have daily non-stops and then we will add more airplanes in 2011 for a total of between 17 and 20 aircraft."




This is the same guy who proposed the hovercraft ferry service between Bedford and the downtown earlier this year -- without having a hovercraft to actually use. I think I will wait and see if this actually gets off the ground.

He is married to Tina Simpkin, the substitute weather lady on CTV Atlantic.

[David1gray]

LOL ya i thought the exact same thing monctonrad!

and ill believe it when it happens seeing as it is the same guy from the hovercraft deal..... which he never had....

[worldlyhaligonian]

Sounds like an episode of the Trailer Park Boys to me.

[Wishblade]

"The new airline is targeting what it calls under-served cities in the three provinces: Charlottetown, Halifax, Yarmouth, N.S., and Sydney, N.S., and Saint John, N.B."


Halifax, Underserved?!??!., Halifax!! :lmao:

lol, I'm thinking they probably meant the other cities are underserved. When you look at the flight routes, Halifax just seems to be the hub for this service.

[halifaxboyns]

lol, I'm thinking they probably meant the other cities are underserved. When you look at the flight routes, Halifax just seems to be the hub for this service.

Based on their schedules - it looks like they have 2 maybe 3 aircraft at the most. It looks like for Sydney, the aircraft will be based there (ends in Sydney at the end of the day). The rest of the cities the aircraft are based in Halifax.

The turnaround times are very quick (20 minutes) - which should be fine for such a small aircraft (16 seater - like Air Georgian uses). However, if they move up to something bigger (like a dash 8) - then the turn around time will need to be adjusted, but it shouldn't be more than 30 minutes. If Westjet can turn a 737 around in 30 minutes; then a dash 8 should be okay in less than 30 minutes.

[David1gray]

Creditors chase businessman behind Maritime airline

A businessman behind a new airline in the Maritimes has a messy financial history in the United States.

East Coast Airways is set to launch service to five communities in the Maritime provinces on Nov. 1. The airline is based in Halifax, and will fly to Charlottetown, Yarmouth and Sydney in Nova Scotia, and Saint John, N.B.

Angry creditors in the U.S. say Jason Hasson, president of operations, owes hundreds of thousands of dollars and they've been unable to track him down.

Greg Crider, lawyer for Ameriana Bank in Indiana, said the bank loaned a company called Vertical Velocity Helicopters nearly $600,000 to buy a helicopter in 2006. Owner Hasson and his wife, Tina Simpkins, were named as guarantors.

Crider said loan payments stopped in the fall of 2008. The bank sued to get its money back, but there was a problem.

"The address given in Noblesville for Vertical Velocity Helicopters to the state of Indiana Corporations Division, when we attempted to serve that address, we were told 'moved with no forwarding.' And we had the same results for Jay Hasson and Tina Simpkins," Crider told CBC News.

The bank seized a partially dismantled helicopter. The aircraft was sitting in mechanic Patric Wells's shop in Ohio.

Wells said Hasson disappeared, owing him $90,000.

"He lied to me on numerous occasions about payments, about his plan, about many different things. Including, 'I'm sending you a cheque,' and it never showed up. And, 'well I sent you that, it must have got lost in the mail, I'll send you another one,'" said Wells.

Companies in Minnesota and Texas say Vertical Velocity owes them about $125,000.

Hasson told CBC News he sold all of his U.S. helicopter businesses around 2003, and that this is all a misunderstanding.

"I'm finding it, as the person you're talking to, very confusing. Because I have documentation of all the sales we made with the company," said Hasson.

Crider said he has contacted a lawyer in Halifax to see if he can recover more than $300,000.


http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2010/10/26/ns-hasson-east-coast.html

[halifaxboyns]

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2010/10/26/ns-hasson-east-coast.html

That doesn't make me feel any better about this airline.
Another jetsgo in the making perhaps. Or should I say, jetsnogo.

[terrynorthend]

I find it curious that local CTV weather celeb, Tina Simpkin is implicated. Interesting indeed...

[q12]

Unpaid loan won’t affect N.S. airline — official

By BRUCE ERSKINE Business Reporter
Wed, Oct 27 - 4:53 AM
The new operations president of East Coast Airways says his past business liabilities won’t affect the airline’s efforts to start a regional service in Halifax.

"This has no impact on ECA," Jay Hasson said in an interview on Tuesday. "They’re two separate entities."

Hasson confirmed that he and his wife, Tina Simpkin, a CTV Halifax meteorologist, are guarantors of a $600,000 loan from Ameriana Bank in New Castle, Ind., to Vertical Velocity Helicopters, an Indiana company he once owned.

Ameriana Bank sued Hasson and Simpkin to get its money back but had trouble finding the couple, bank lawyer Greg Crider told CBC Halifax. Crider couldn’t be reached Tuesday for comment on the details of the loan default.

Hasson said the loan default may have arisen from a mistake in failing to remove the couple’s names from company documents when they sold the helicopter business.

"We’re finding out what we need to do to rectify this," Hasson said. "At the end of the day, I am responsible to do whatever is necessary to make this right."

Kate Marshall, a Halifax lawyer representing Crider, said Tuesday that Hasson has not contacted the bank’s lawyer about the loan default.

Hasson said he was stunned by suggestions that creditors couldn’t find him and his wife, noting that they both have relatively high public profiles.

Hasson is an airline employee and does not own East Coast Airways, which is a subsidiary of Integra Air Inc. of Lethbridge, Alta.

Prior to this month’s airline launch, which received substantial media attention, Hasson was in the news for pitching a hovercraft service between Halifax and Bedford to regional council last year.

On Nov. 1, East Coast plans to begin scheduled flights between Halifax, Yarmouth, Sydney, Saint John, N.B., and Charlottetown.

However, Integra needs to amend its air operator certificate with Transport Canada to offer flights under the East Coast Airways banner in Atlantic Canada.

The required documentation was filed with the federal department last week, Hasson said.

"We’re still taking bookings. We’re looking forward to Nov. 1."

Transport Canada spokeswoman Melanie Orlowski said Tuesday her department hasn’t received the documentation required from Integra to consider a certificate amendment.

Integra president Brent Gateman couldn’t be reached for comment.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/Business/1208884.html

[Buckey]

MSN reports
MSN reporting that launch date pushed back one week.

http://news.ca.msn.com/local/novascotia/article.aspx?cp-documentid=26092819

ok in that article it certainly implies he has no deal in place with the sydney airport and no the Guradian is saying the same about the Charlottetown airport
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/Business/2010-10-26/article-1887546/Discount-airline-hits-major-snag-en-route-to-provincial-capital/1

I am really trying to give this guy some credit but he is looking like a moron

[Wishblade]

More ways to get to Cuba
Deal would bring airline to Halifax
By BILL POWER Business Reporter
Sat, Oct 30 - 4:54 AM

Negotiations are currently underway to bring Cubana Airways — the national carrier of one of Nova Scotia’s favourite winter tourism destinations — to Halifax.

An announcement is expected within a week about a new source of travel packages to Cuba, said Jerry Staples, vice-president of marketing at Halifax Stanfield International Airport.

"We are in the process of working with the tour operator and the airline to finalize the necessary contracts," the vice-president of marketing said in an interview Friday.

A source in the local travel industry said there is a buzz about Hola Sun Holidays planning to bring Cubana Airways flights to Halifax for regular tour packages during the winter months.

"We’re expecting things will happen quickly, as they will want to get selling seats for winter travel right away," said Staples.

Although a contract has not yet been signed, there is an expectation Cubana jets will begin to appear at Stanfield International this December, he added.

Cuba is a popular destination for the Nova Scotia market, but Cubana has not included Halifax as a destination since the 1980s, said Staples.

Hola Sun Holidays is based out of Montreal and bills itself as Canada’s largest provider of travel packages to Cuba.

Airport officials released an economic impact study Friday indicating the complex is worth more than $1.2 billion to the provincial economy.

The study confirmed the airport community — including airlines, aerospace, air freight firms, the airport authority, retailers, restaurants and other companies supporting the air transportation industry — is a major economic and employment generator for the entire region.

"Together, all our airport businesses have a tremendous impact on Halifax and the province as an economic generator and growth enabler, Tom Ruth, president and CEO of Halifax International Airport Authority, said in a news release.

The study notes that during 2009, direct employment created by the airport was 5,900 full-time equivalent jobs, an increase of 7.4 per cent compared to 2008.

The airport authority and airport tenants have begun more than $400 million in renovation and new construction to create about 7,090 full-time equivalent construction-related jobs and $253 million in wages and salaries.

The study was conducted by Chris Lowe Planning and Management Group.

[macgregor]

From the highway, I saw a small building going up near the Fedex depot. Not sure what it is.

[halifaxboyns]

Cubana eh? Wasn't even on my radar to think about but it's a great idea to put some more competition in for the sun/fun destinations!

[here4theride]

I think the new building beside the new IMP hanger is for Cougar Helicopter.

[Buckey]

MSN reports
MSN reporting that launch date pushed back one week.

http://news.ca.msn.com/local/novascotia/article.aspx?cp-documentid=26092819

ok in that article it certainly implies he has no deal in place with the sydney airport and no the Guradian is saying the same about the Charlottetown airport
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/Business/2010-10-26/article-1887546/Discount-airline-hits-major-snag-en-route-to-provincial-capital/1

I am really trying to give this guy some credit but he is looking like a moron

now its Nov 22nd

[halifaxboyns]

WestJet adds 4 flights south

By BILL POWER Business Reporter
Thu, Nov 25 - 4:53 AM

WestJet Airlines is adding four new flights south this winter from Halifax. (Larry MacDougal / CP)

WestJet is moving aggressively into the winter travel market in Nova Scotia with four new flights south and a marketing blitz to promote the service.

"We are running jets west to east in the summer for visits with family and friends and will shift flights to a north-to-south pattern for the winter months," airline spokesman Robert Palmer said in an interview Wednesday.

Topping the airline’s new winter service out of Halifax Stanfield International Airport are regularly scheduled flights to Montego Bay in Jamaica, Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and Fort Lauderdale and Tampa in Florida.

"Due to the availability of aircraft, we are able to offer these flights out of Halifax at appealing times and exceptional costs," Palmer said.

Details of the new winter routes will become available on the airline’s website and through local advertising over the next few days.

"We are increasing available flights to southern destinations throughout Atlantic Canada," Palmer said. "Halifax is getting about three times the usual number of flights south due to its relative size in the region."

Non-stop flights between Halifax and the four new destinations will be on specific days during the winter, from about mid-February to the end of April.

The airline is also ramping up its regular winter service to Cancun, Mexico, and Orlando, Fla., and reducing some prices.

One-way fares to Florida from Halifax will be advertised at a base price of $199 but fees and taxes can add significantly to the cost. Wednesday afternoon, for example, WestJet had two seats available for a total of $917, fees and taxes included, for a mid-February return trip south.

"As is always the case, travellers should shop early as not all seats on an aircraft will be available at discounted fares," Palmer said.

[David1gray]

east coast airways took off today. the price for a ticket between halifax and sydney is over $500. anyways read more here: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2010/11/30/pei-east-coast-airways-launch-584.html

[haligonia]

east coast airways took off today. the price for a ticket between halifax and sydney is over $500. anyways read more here: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2010/11/30/pei-east-coast-airways-launch-584.html

On the website Halifax-Sydney is listed at $169...

[David1gray]

sorry, i went to the site. roundtrip is $471 taxes included. $169 each way without taxes.

[halifaxboyns]

Tonight would be a great night for plane spotters to get out to the Halifax Airport. With all the cancellations over the past day or two; Air Canada is using bigger aircraft all day. A couple flights from Toronto have been converted to Airbus A330-300's (3 flights) - which haven't been around since when they tried out using them from toronto and onto London in the summer of 2008.

The London flight tonight has been upgraded to an A330-300 in order to move more people in the backlog.

[q12]

http://www.hiaa.ca/default.asp?id=190&pagesize=1&sfield=content.id&search=1238&mn=70.1.262.291.656

January 25, 2011

Halifax Stanfield Serves Over 3.5 Million Passengers in 2010
Second Busiest in Airport’s 50 Year History
Record Breaking Year for U.S. Traffic

Halifax, N.S. – Halifax Stanfield International Airport (HSIA) served 3,508,153 passengers in 2010, up 2.7 per cent from 2009. This marks the airport’s second busiest year in its 50 year history. (Record set in 2008 when the airport welcomed a record 3,578,931 passengers.)

“We share this achievement with all of our partners – airlines, tenants, retailers, volunteers, all levels of government and the dedicated employees of Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA),” says Tom Ruth, HIAA President & CEO. “I especially want to thank Nova Scotia Business Inc, Greater Halifax Partnership, Destination Halifax, Nova Scotia Tourism, ACOA and the NS Gateway Secretariat – all members of the Air Gateway Committee. Our partners have worked very diligently with us to grow air service to the region.”

The 2010 sector breakdown sees transborder traffic (non-stop to the United States) up by 7.3 per cent to a record of over 350,000 passengers. Meanwhile, domestic traffic is up 2.8 per cent and international passengers are down 4 per cent.

“The continued strength of Air Canada and WestJet, in addition to US Airways’ three daily flights to Philadelphia and Porter Airlines’ new four a day flights to St. John’s and year-round daily flights to Ottawa highlighted a robust year for us,” says Ruth.

In 2010, Halifax Stanfield was served by 18 passenger airlines flying to a total of 44 destinations (23 year-round and 21 seasonal). The airport managed an average of over 170 flights each day.

“Our commitment to provide superior service at Halifax Stanfield reaches far beyond those 3.5 million passengers,” says Ruth. “When you consider the family and friends who pick them up and drop them off, we have the opportunity to provide a positive experience to over 5 million people a year. We take our responsibility to each and every one of them very seriously,” he says.

[halifaxboyns]

This is great news! Onward and upward!

[macgregor]

The HIAA 2011 Business Plan (http://www.hiaa.ca/images/pdf_files/2011/HIAA%202011%20Business%20Plan%20Final.pdf) is now available on the website.

In summary:


A $135 million (40 year) bond issue was placed last fall to pay the 85M construction loan (parking lot) and the next few years of capital projects.

A new 10 year capital plan will be completed and released.

Increased revenues from increase of Airport Improvement fee to $20

Mild projected increases in passenger levels, general revenue and expenses

Execution of initial stages of the new 20 year Master Plan (which has not been released to us public yet). This year $35.7 million planned capital expenditures including:
- Rerouting of outbound Bell Boulevard from the exit of the parking lots, then to the west and returning to meet the main road near Tim Horton's (see the Old Master Plan (http://www.hiaa.ca/images/pdf_files/Master%20Plan%20Summary.pdf) for the likely route. This will provide new commercial lot opportunities.
- Barnes Drive water, sewer, stormwater and sidewalk upgrades.
- Start of work to modernize south end of Air Terminal Building for passenger processing, baggage handling and facade improvements.
- Assessment of airplane loading bridges/gates with contingency to replace two if needed
- Completion of last phase of Airfield Restoration program with work on taxiways D and F. This was delayed last year due to replacement of old ILS by NavCanada.

And... no mention of the Hotel.

[q12]

:previous: Thanks for that macgregor, just took a look through 2011 business plan and found more details...

Major Capital Projects
Significant investments are being made
to meet the demands of future air traffic
growth, improve the level of service to
the travelling public, and maximize
revenue potential.
Groundside
A total of $13.9 million is forecast for
groundside improvements in 2011, as
follows:

Bell Boulevard Extension
In order to create new revenue
generating commercial lots on airport
property, a new road will be constructed
from the area near the parkade toll plaza
through to Goudey Drive and Selfridge
Way and reconnected with Bell Boulevard
near Tim Hortons. Underground services
for water, storm water and sanitary
sewer will also be constructed for
servicing the commercial lots.

Barnes Drive Improvements
The Barnes Drive improvements will
consist of the replacement of
underground sewer, storm water, and
water services and the addition of
sidewalks. This project will replace critical
services and will upgrade the primary
hanger line road to modern industrial
park access road standards, improving
capacity and safety.

Air Terminal Building (ATB)
The forecast expenditure in 2011 related
to the ATB is $3.3 million and is as
follows:
South End of the Terminal Expansion
and Passenger Processing
Improvements
Design and start-up construction for an
expansion at the south end of the
terminal building and upgraded baggage
handling for both the domestic and
transborder areas will commence in
2011. The work in the south end of the
terminal will result in improvements to
passenger flow, improvements to hold
baggage screening capacity, and an
architectural style that is consistent with
the façade of the remainder of the ATB.:tup:
In the transborder area, the design of
new baggage handling systems that
improves overall passenger handling
capacity will proceed.

New Loading Bridges
Some of the terminal jet bridges are
nearing the end of their useful life and
will need to be replaced. In early 2011, a
full assessment will be undertaken so
that a multi-year replacement/
refurbishment plan can be created. The
plan for 2011 is to allow for immediate
replacement of up to two jet bridges if
required

[halifaxboyns]

As a frequent traveller back home; I have to agree with their plan to start replacing some of the airbridges, but I'd say they need more than 2 replaced - I'd say easily 4 or more. The airbridges they have for gates 15 and up to 24 are all original from when I was a kid. The only new ones that they added were gates 12 and 14 with the south end expansion.

As it often turns out; I usually fly Air Canada and I can tell you I end up out of gate 22 which is showing it's age (rusting big time). But so was gate 23 - which is the gate I arrived at during Christmas. Some of the panels looked like they were coming off - not exactly a great way to welcome people. I think the other new ones they added or replaced with in the international area (gates 26, 27 and 28).

On another note; I know this thread was talking about additional routes into Halifax. I was going through my shoulder bag and found my invitation to an event celebrating air canada's recent announcement on expanded services from Calgary to Tokyo and found some notes I wrote on it. I had forgotten that while I was at this event, I met a gentleman from Lufthansa (I honestly don't remember much about the event - it was quite boring).

Anyway, I asked him about Lufthansa's plans with Canada - if there were any expansion plans coming. He basically told me that there were two places on their radar: Ottawa and Halifax, but that they weren't quite at the levels they would be comfortable with. Apparently Ottawa will get service first, if it happens because population and income levels are just right. Halifax, wouldn't have to reach Ottawa area populations because it's a regional hub for the maritimes, but average income hadn't quite reached the right levels. From what I recall; he said that there concern was filling the business cabin seats first - if incomes weren't high, the chances of selling the business seats is less. But because AC is a partner through star alliance, the population isn't wasn't as big of a deal because the Jazz service from the maritimes could easily feed the route. The other thing was concern about getting people to fly to Frankfurt and spend time there - since the Euro is high against our dollar; the route might wouldn't attract people staying for longer periods.

But he did confirm there was no issue with the runways or the airport being able to service their A340's. So it's interesting that we're on the radar; just need more people and slightly higher income. He never did tell me where we'd have to be to warrent service or what level of service we'd get - so I wonder how long it will take? But it was an interesting conversation...I wonder if Nova Centre goes ahead; whether they'd come in? I know we talked about Condor and he was aware they did well with twice a week in the summer.

[musicman]

Just saw on CTV that they are a couple of weeks away from signing a deal with a major hotel chain to build a 175 ish room hotel onsite. They were also talking about the refurbishment of the registration area in the terminal building.

[q12]

Just saw on CTV that they are a couple of weeks away from signing a deal with a major hotel chain to build a 175 ish room hotel onsite. They were also talking about the refurbishment of the registration area in the terminal building.

This is great news. I wonder what the brand will be?

[halifaxboyns]

That's awesome news. Wasn't someone saying it was W chain or perhaps LeGermain? Those names seem to come to mind from previous discussions.

Oh - I was going through some old boxes in my storage room and found some stuff on a project I did in university and happened to find an old set of scheduled from Air Canada (it was a transportation project). Back in the late 90's, while Air Canada still had the 767-200ERs in service, they had a direct flight from Halifax to Frankfurt twice a day. They scaled back the London route to 5x a week to accommodate the London service. The following year, they didn't offer the flight and instead the 767 did a late night flight back to Toronto.

Thought that was interesting.

[q12]

That's awesome news. Wasn't someone saying it was W chain or perhaps LeGermain? Those names seem to come to mind from previous discussions.

Yeah found this in the Development Rumours. This was the alt brand.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/AltHotelHalifax.jpg

Source (http://urbantoronto.ca/showthread.php?15053-ALT-Hotel-(-Germain-Group-14s-LeMay-Michaud))

[JustinMacD]

Can't have a world class city without a worldclass airport.

[halifaxboyns]

Considering the level of awards that YHZ has won; I'd say it's world class for certain!

Now if we could just attract some more international flights!

[Keith P.]

Most of thse awards are "won" simply by submitting the application and a substantial application fee. These type of commercial awards are often not the result of any actual competition.

[hoser111]

Most of thse awards are "won" simply by submitting the application and a substantial application fee. These type of commercial awards are often not the result of any actual competition.

So are you stating that this is the case for the awards that HSIA has garnered?

[eastcoastal]

Considering the level of awards that YHZ has won; I'd say it's world class for certain!

Now if we could just attract some more international flights!

Those are awards based on customer surveys - the major (and respected) airport awards have never given anything to Halifax. It keeps wining for customer satisfaction due to:
1) The plaid-vested volunteers, who leave a lasting impression of friendliness, and
2) The sample population - we're talking about people who are not major-international travelers for the most part. Most of the "folks" who travel through the airport were giving it these awards back when there were still exposed, painted, cinder blocks as interior finishes!

I would not say it's world class based on the TYPES of awards it has garnered.

[halifaxboyns]

Those are awards based on customer surveys - the major (and respected) airport awards have never given anything to Halifax. It keeps wining for customer satisfaction due to:
1) The plaid-vested volunteers, who leave a lasting impression of friendliness, and
2) The sample population - we're talking about people who are not major-international travelers for the most part. Most of the "folks" who travel through the airport were giving it these awards back when there were still exposed, painted, cinder blocks as interior finishes!

I would not say it's world class based on the TYPES of awards it has garnered.

I would disagree about the volunteers. Compared to some of the volunteers at airports across this country - I would say the ones in Halifax would win that airport awards hands down. I've had way better assistance from them compared to the 'white hatters' here in calgary. Some of the ones here are down right rude!

[Jonovision]

Airport bus plan might be on the skids

Councillor warns new terminal costs soaring


By BILL POWER Business Reporter

S OME

CRACKS ap­peared Thursday in Metro Transit’s proposed service to Halifax Stan­field International Air­port, where hundreds of workers and many em­ployers remain hungry for public transit.

About six express buses are supposed to start rolling in spring 2012 between the Dart­mouth Bridges terminal and the airport, via Highway 102, with a pit stop in Fall River.

But Coun. Barry Dalrymple (Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank) warned it might not hap­pen in the wake of cost over­runs for the new $12-million Dartmouth terminal approved by Halifax regional council on Tuesday.

“A lot of people are anxiously awaiting the commencement of this service, but Metro Transit indicated the additional cost of the terminal will affect the bud­get," the councillor said.

There is a chance the airport service may not make it through the budget deliberations that are beginning at city hall, he said.

Many of the estimated 4,500 workers in the area surrounding the airport and their employers, not to mention many commu­ters in the Fall River area, have waited a long time for the ser­vice to start.

Land for a park-and-ride for metro-bound commuters has already been obtained in Fall River by the Highway 118 over­pass, he said.

The councillor said there may also be problems obtaining specialized highway buses for the service.

“Regular Metro Transit buses are unsuitable for regular high­way use. It’s not like we can approve this service and start it the next day," he said.

Metro Transit plans to run several MetroX transit buses between Dartmouth and the airport has been kicked around since at least 2009, when a report suggested 30-minute peak ser­vice and 60-minute off-peak service between 6 a.m. and mid­night.

Airport spokeswoman Ashley Barnes said there was a lot of disappointment among workers and employers when the service wasn’t launched as anticipated in 2010.

“For people who do not drive there is not an affordable option available," she said.

Some people who drive must pay $25 per month for parking, although some employers cover all or part of that expense.

She said the airport authority is operating under the assump­tion the service will begin in the spring of 2012 as expected.

Metro Transit spokeswoman Lori Patterson said implementa­tion of the airport service re­mains on the planning board, but cannot advance further without budgetary approval for the buses by regional council.

“Once we obtain budgetary approval we can proceed," she said.

(bpower@herald.ca)

[macgregor]

February 21, 2011

Federal, Provincial Governments Invest $14 Million in Halifax Stanfield

The Federal and Provincial Governments will together invest $14 million in funding to extend the main runway at Halifax Stanfield International Airport.

Minister of National Defence Peter MacKay, on behalf of Minister of Transport Chuck Strahl, and Premier Darrell Dexter, today announced that Nova Scotia will invest $5 million and Transport Canada will provide $9 million in funding, with an additional $14 million provided by the Airport Authority.

http://www.hiaa.ca/default.asp?id=190&pagesize=1&sfield=content.id&search=1242&mn=70.1.262.291.656

[q12]

February 21, 2011

Federal, Provincial Governments Invest $14 Million in Halifax Stanfield

The Federal and Provincial Governments will together invest $14 million in funding to extend the main runway at Halifax Stanfield International Airport.

Minister of National Defence Peter MacKay, on behalf of Minister of Transport Chuck Strahl, and Premier Darrell Dexter, today announced that Nova Scotia will invest $5 million and Transport Canada will provide $9 million in funding, with an additional $14 million provided by the Airport Authority.

http://www.hiaa.ca/default.asp?id=190&pagesize=1&sfield=content.id&search=1242&mn=70.1.262.291.656

Excellent news! 8800 feet to 10,500 feet (3200m)! :tup:

Runway at Halifax airport to be extended

http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/9019933.html

By DAVID JACKSON Provincial Reporter | UPDATED 1:30 p.m.
Mon, Feb 21 - 10:56 AM

Federal and provincial taxpayers will foot half the bill for a $28-million runway extension at Halifax's Stanfield International Airport.

The airport’s main runway will be lengthened to 10,500 feet from 8,800, Defence Minister Peter MacKay said in an announcement at the airport this morning.

MacKay, speaking on behalf of federal Transport Minister Chuck Strahl, said there are large, wide-bodied aircraft that require a longer runway when fully loaded, and in poor weather.

“We are enhancing the airport’s position as a key international air cargo hub,” said MacKay, the regional minister for the province.

The federal government is contributing up to $9 million, and the province is in for $5 million, Premier Darrell Dexter said. The Halifax International Airport Authority will cover the other $14 million.

Authority spokesman Peter Spurway said engineering and design work will get underway this year, with construction expected to be complete in late 2013.

He said it’s too early to say how many jobs could be created.

Dexter said the extension will create opportunities for businesses across Atlantic Canada, and should help the province’s seafood industry, in particular.

“Once you get more traffic coming in and out, the ability to be able to piggy-back on those flights is much greater,” Dexter said. “You get lower costs, you get better routing into markets, particularly into Europe. That would be very, very good for many businesses in this province.”

Dexter said he had no problem with the province helping pay for infrastructure that’s under federal jurisdiction, pointing to the $1.2 billion in economic activity the airport generates annually.

The premier said the airport is just as important to the future of the Atlantic gateway and the ability to move cargo in and out of North America, as the Port of Halifax.

The airport expects air cargo traffic to increase by 85 to 130 per cent over the next decade. The airport moved 29,000 tonnes of cargo in 2009

[q12]

So to summarize, improvements to be completed in the next couple years (by 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 Hotel at terminal
New Loading Bridges
Metro Transit Bus Service
Other additional improvements


Let me know if I missed anything else important.

[fenwick16]

So to summarize, improvements to be completed in the next couple years (by 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 Hotel at terminal
New Loading Bridges
Metro Transit Bus Service
Other additional improvements


Let me know if I missed anything else important.

Great news. Is there a start date for the new hotel?

I wish that construction on the runway extension could be fast-tracked since then it would bring the benefits to the province that much sooner. However, I guess quite a bit of fill would be required to extend the runway. Here is a link to the area to be filled - http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=rg9w5s9q5g66&lvl=17&dir=270&sty=u&where1=Halifax%2C%20NS&q=halifax%2C%20nova%20scotia . I wonder if the old quarry will have to be filled in (this is where the Boeing 747 cargo jet crashed a few years ago).

[halifaxboyns]

The runway extention might be a combination of adding length to both ends - this is what I was hearing from some people I know close to Airport staff. But of course, that was all rumor.

The departures ticketing area is in desperate need of a renovation and I wish it had happened a few years ago. It's the only part of the airport that still feels like the old '80's airport' I remember (low ceilings, not very welcoming).

But the runway extension will be great for attracting more international flights, this is great news all around!

[Keith P.]

Moncton Airport is getting a similar runway extension, BTW.

[pblaauw]

I was looking at http://fids.flightview.com/hthalifax/default.asp?zoom=out earlier and a KLM 747 had just taken off, bound for Amsterdan (diverted from O'Hare, according to http://flightaware.com/live/flight/KLM48 so obviously YHZ's runways can already handle 747s. Maybe the longer runway will let them land in really low visibility?

I asked them, via Twitter, if the new length would accommodate an A380. That would be great to see, even on a stopover/refuel, up close.

[halifaxboyns]

I was looking at http://fids.flightview.com/hthalifax/default.asp?zoom=out earlier and a KLM 747 had just taken off, bound for Amsterdan (diverted from O'Hare, according to http://flightaware.com/live/flight/KLM48 so obviously YHZ's runways can already handle 747s. Maybe the longer runway will let them land in really low visibility?

I asked them, via Twitter, if the new length would accommodate an A380. That would be great to see, even on a stopover/refuel, up close.

I can't see why YHZ would get an A380 unless it was cargo - there just isn't enough population to warrent a regular flight unless it was maybe weekly or we held some big event like a Commonwealth Games.

If the cargo 747's can land at YHZ, then I am quite sure that all the heavies can do it (with the exception of the A380). I know AC had a couple 777-300's come into YHZ over the xmas holiday when the weather screwed up flights. For me it's not really the runway that's an issue - it's the gates. Because if you look at how gate 28 is setup, if an A380 or a 777 docks there - you've eliminated the use of gate 27 (they are too close together for two wide bodies).

[fenwick16]

Based on what I have read, 747's can't safely take off fully loaded. If cargo jet's aren't able to take off fully loaded then it will be less economical to use the Halifax Airport for cargo. When I have read about the runway extension, the article usually makes reference to making the airport more competitive for cargo.

[FuzzyWuz]

If the cargo 747's can land at YHZ, then I am quite sure that all the heavies can do it (with the exception of the A380).

I know an a380 has been at yhz since a friend of mine who works for continental/united posted a pic of one on the tarmac there. It had no passengers so it may have been just a one time thing.

[Jstaleness]

I believe you are right. Some employees at the control tower had mentioned enjoying that one landing and taking off.

[beyeas]

I know an a380 has been at yhz since a friend of mine who works for continental/united posted a pic of one on the tarmac there. It had no passengers so it may have been just a one time thing.

I always make sure to walk by the Emirates gate whenever I am in major airports just to see the 380. Amazing to see the sheer scale of it.

[halifaxboyns]

I always make sure to walk by the Emirates gate whenever I am in major airports just to see the 380. Amazing to see the sheer scale of it.

I've seen it docked at the international pier at T1 in Toronto a few times on my way back to Halifax. It is impressive. I just don't think that Halifax could cope with one of these landing and parking. The domestic arrivals would be a mess, not to mention customs. Would be an interesting challenge though.

Fenwick - you may be right to a certain extent. But if I recall, before the MK Airlines 747 went down, it had landed and taken off from YHZ quite a few times. Wasn't the main issue that some of it's cargo had come loose and shifted?

[fenwick16]

I've seen it docked at the international pier at T1 in Toronto a few times on my way back to Halifax. It is impressive. I just don't think that Halifax could cope with one of these landing and parking. The domestic arrivals would be a mess, not to mention customs. Would be an interesting challenge though.

Fenwick - you may be right to a certain extent. But if I recall, before the MK Airlines 747 went down, it had landed and taken off from YHZ quite a few times. Wasn't the main issue that some of it's cargo had come loose and shifted?

That was the initial assumption - that the load shifted. But the accident investigation determined that the pilot had set the wrong engine thrust setting as stated below:

(source: http://www.planecrashinfo.com/2004/2004-43.htm )
The cargo plane did not gain altitude and ran off the end of the runway and crashed into a forest. The aircraft's lower aft fuselage struck a berm supporting a localizer antenna, resulting in the tail separating from the aircraft, rendering the aircraft uncontrollable. The incorrect V speeds and thrust setting were too low to enable the aircraft to take off safely for the actual weight of the aircraft. The pilots of MKA1602 did not carry out the gross error check in accordance with the company's standard operating procedures (SOPs), and the incorrect take-off performance data were not detected. Crew fatigue.

He might have been able to take off in spite of the pilot error if he had a longer runway in order to gain speed. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

[pblaauw]

I know an a380 has been at yhz since a friend of mine who works for continental/united posted a pic of one on the tarmac there. It had no passengers so it may have been just a one time thing.

Is this photo online somewhere? I'd love to see it. :drooling:

[ghYHZ]

I was looking at http://fids.flightview.com/hthalifax/default.asp?zoom=out earlier and a KLM 747 had just taken off, bound for Amsterdan (diverted from O'Hare, according to http://flightaware.com/live/flight/KLM48 so obviously YHZ's runways can already handle 747s.
KLM had scheduled 747 service between AMS and YHZ beginning in the late 1980’s. (It was actually a AMS-YHZ-YOW routing.) Scheduled service lasted until the mid ‘90s but in the final couple of years flights were operated by Martinair 767s on behalf of KLM.

CP Air also operated scheduled 747s between Halifax and Amsterdam.

And I’ve been on an Air Canada 747 from Gander to Halifax.

We were scheduled to fly out of YYT (Torbay) on a Sunday evening after a hockey tournament in March 1984. But the fog rolled in and after two days, with the back-log of passengers it was decided to bus us to Gander to a waiting 747. And I remember that bus trip well.....not on a CN Roadcruiser.....but on a St. John’s city transit bus! Climbing those long grades in 1st gear......I never thought we would get there!

Also have photos of BA, TWA & NWA 747s at YHZ too.

[cormiermax]

Id like to see those pictures

[halifaxboyns]

KLM had scheduled 747 service between AMS and YHZ beginning in the late 1980’s. (It was actually a AMS-YHZ-YOW routing.) Scheduled service lasted until the mid ‘90s but in the final couple of years flights were operated by Martinair 767s on behalf of KLM.

CP Air also operated scheduled 747s between Halifax and Amsterdam.

And I’ve been on an Air Canada 747 from Gander to Halifax.

We were scheduled to fly out of YYT (Torbay) on a Sunday evening after a hockey tournament in March 1984. But the fog rolled in and after two days, with the back-log of passengers it was decided to bus us to Gander to a waiting 747. And I remember that bus trip well.....not on a CN Roadcruiser.....but on a St. John’s city transit bus! Climbing those long grades in 1st gear......I never thought we would get there!

Also have photos of BA, TWA & NWA 747s at YHZ too.

I forgot that KLM had the 747 but that's right. I remember taking the LHR flight with AC and we ended up on an L1011 that stoped in YYT (that was the normal routing). They put such a big plane on what was an empty flight because we had to go up and around the north pole due to a storm - so we needed a long range plane since it was going to add at least 4 hours to what was normally a 5 hour flight from YYT. I used an entire middle section to sleep - I don't remember much about it.

I think because Cargo 747's typically carry a heavier load than a typical 747 - in the case of a MKA fenwick is probably right - a longer runway would've been helpful. But no one can really say for sure that if there runway had been longer they could've gotten off the ground. They could easily have still crashed.

I remember being at the airport during operation yellow ribbon (On 9/11) but I don't recall seeing 747's. I thought there was though - I know there were a lot of 767's, 777's and A330/340's.

[cormiermax]

Emirates Sky Cargo 747 taking off from YHZ.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CZox0py7LQ

[macgregor]

Emirates Sky Cargo 747 taking off from YHZ.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CZox0py7LQ

Good video. On that youtube channel for the airport they also show "Kalitta Air" taking off. It looks like from runway 32 to me, which is shorter at 7700' long. I wonder how full it was.

[fenwick16]

This following link gives information on runway length requirements for 747 freighters based on the airplane gross weight - http://www.boeing.com/commercial/airports/acaps/7478sec3.pdf.

Data for other 747 models are at this link (under airplane performance - http://www.boeing.com/commercial/airports/747.htm )

[q12]

Air Canada is bringing in a Boeing 777 and 767 (which fly to Halifax daily) to help get athletes home from the Canada Games tonight.