London International Airport

[ldoto]

Thu, May 14, 2009

Exploring our region's next economy

London's in a race against time in its bid to make its airport an international cargo gateway for the next economy.

Three other Ontario cities that own their airports, including regional rivals Hamilton and Windsor, have applied for government stimulus money to upgrade their airports just as London wants to do with its, officials learned yesterday. Peterborough is the other city.

"We're a little behind but we're hoping to catch up," London city manager Jeff Fielding said.

London's airport is locally-operated by a civilian authority, but its land is federally owned -- making it ineligible for a recent round of government stimulus money for municipalities. Board of control approved a recommendation yesterday to ask council to chip in $25,000 for a consultant to develop a business case for the so-called economic gateway project, of which the airport is a crucial point.

The recommendation goes to full council Monday.




The London Economic Development Corp.'s board has already approved $25,000 to put toward the business case and the airport has offered $12,500, said Fielding.

"Our timeline is to get something to council by June so we can identify what the project looks like, what our timelines are, what jobs would be created and what would be the cost that we would have to be looking at to make this a reality," said Fielding.

The gateway proposal -- airport expansion, plus highway and other upgrades -- had been the centrepiece of city hall's early thinking on how to tap the rivers of government cash going out to help municipalities with public works amid this year's brutal economic downturn.

The idea is to take advantage of London's close proximity to key U.S. markets, the 400-series highway system and favourable tax rulings allowing cargo to transit through the airport between other nations.

But the $21-million airport project didn't qualify for federal stimulus money for municipalities because the city doesn't own the airport. The federal government owns the airport land and leases it to the airport authority.

The authority has an 80-year renewable lease and fully funds all operating and capital expenses at the airport.

In all, London has applied for funding for stimulus projects worth $137 million.

The airport project would include upgrading taxiways, parking for aircraft and a multi-bay cargo handling facility, along with needed servicing up to the airport property line.

"There's just so many opportunities for us that are at the airport, it's one of the centrepoints of the strategy for us," said Peter White, the LEDC president.

A task force, including the LEDC, airport and city officials, has been created to look at the opportunity.

It's already looking at other possible funding options, such as the Southern Ontario Development Agency, promised in the recent federal budget and expected to be up by mid-year. The agency will have $1 billion to spend on recession-hit southern Ontario over five years.

If Hamilton, Windsor or Peterborough get stimulus funding for their airport expansions first, they could beat London in the race to reposition themselves as regional cargo gateways.

That would put London at a competitive disadvantage, said White.

"Our focus is we want to get this . . . (business) plan completed as quickly as possible and keep this going through June and July so we don't lose opportunities," he said.

[MolsonExport]

I use London's airport about 8 times/year. Nice operation, but seems quite underused.

[ldoto]

Thu, June 18, 2009

The twice daily service will begin Sept. 29

Londoners soon will be able to fly direct to the Windy City twice a day.

The daily flights from London to Chicago on United Airlines are a major breakthrough for London International Airport, said airport vice-president Mike Seabrook.

"This is huge for us. We have had a four-year courtship with them (United Airlines)."

The service will begin Sept. 29 with two round-trip flights a day to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, a major hub with flights to about 200 destinations.

London airport now has service to Detroit Airport with Northwest Airlink but Seabrook said O'Hare is a much bigger hub.




Seabrook said all the connections available in Chicago will help convince air travellers in the London area to fly from home instead of driving to Detroit airport to catch a flight.

"This is another positive move in stopping that cross-border leakage," he said.

The flights will depart from London at 6:45 a.m. and 4:52 p.m. on a 50-seat CRJ regional jet manufactured by Bombardier. The incoming flights depart Chicago at 2 p.m. and 6:50 p.m.

The flight time is about one hour and 20 minutes.

Travellers taking the Chicago-London flights will be able to collect and redeem AeroPlan points because of a partnership between United and Air Canada.

Seabrook said there is potential for United Airlines to expand the number of Chicago flights and also expand service to Washington, D.C.

Seabrook said United sees the London service as an opportunity to broaden its market.

London Airport has seen a 50% growth in the last five years.

Along with Detroit and the new Chicago service, London Airport also has flights to Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Detroit, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax.

[manny_santos]

Originally Posted by ldoto

Thu, June 18, 2009

The twice daily service will begin Sept. 29

Londoners soon will be able to fly direct to the Windy City twice a day.

This is good news, as Amtrak no longer has rail service from Toronto to Chicago with a stop in London.

I would be willing to use the new service as long as the total is cheaper than taking Aboutown or Robert Q to DTW and then flying from there.

[QuantumLeap]

What about either "Forest City" or "Londontario?"

[MolsonExport]

I am very pleased to learn of the new routes offered at London In'tl airport, as I travel quite frequently.

[y2k_pony]

Originally Posted by ldoto

Thu, May 14, 2009

Exploring our region's next economy

London's in a race against time in its bid to make its airport an international cargo gateway for the next economy.

Three other Ontario cities that own their airports, including regional rivals Hamilton and Windsor, have applied for government stimulus money to upgrade their airports just as London wants to do with its, officials learned yesterday. Peterborough is the other city.

"We're a little behind but we're hoping to catch up," London city manager Jeff Fielding said.

London's airport is locally-operated by a civilian authority, but its land is federally owned -- making it ineligible for a recent round of government stimulus money for municipalities. Board of control approved a recommendation yesterday to ask council to chip in $25,000 for a consultant to develop a business case for the so-called economic gateway project, of which the airport is a crucial point.

The recommendation goes to full council Monday.




The London Economic Development Corp.'s board has already approved $25,000 to put toward the business case and the airport has offered $12,500, said Fielding.

"Our timeline is to get something to council by June so we can identify what the project looks like, what our timelines are, what jobs would be created and what would be the cost that we would have to be looking at to make this a reality," said Fielding.

The gateway proposal -- airport expansion, plus highway and other upgrades -- had been the centrepiece of city hall's early thinking on how to tap the rivers of government cash going out to help municipalities with public works amid this year's brutal economic downturn.

The idea is to take advantage of London's close proximity to key U.S. markets, the 400-series highway system and favourable tax rulings allowing cargo to transit through the airport between other nations.

But the $21-million airport project didn't qualify for federal stimulus money for municipalities because the city doesn't own the airport. The federal government owns the airport land and leases it to the airport authority.

The authority has an 80-year renewable lease and fully funds all operating and capital expenses at the airport.

In all, London has applied for funding for stimulus projects worth $137 million.

The airport project would include upgrading taxiways, parking for aircraft and a multi-bay cargo handling facility, along with needed servicing up to the airport property line.

"There's just so many opportunities for us that are at the airport, it's one of the centrepoints of the strategy for us," said Peter White, the LEDC president.

A task force, including the LEDC, airport and city officials, has been created to look at the opportunity.

It's already looking at other possible funding options, such as the Southern Ontario Development Agency, promised in the recent federal budget and expected to be up by mid-year. The agency will have $1 billion to spend on recession-hit southern Ontario over five years.

If Hamilton, Windsor or Peterborough get stimulus funding for their airport expansions first, they could beat London in the race to reposition themselves as regional cargo gateways.

That would put London at a competitive disadvantage, said White.

"Our focus is we want to get this . . . (business) plan completed as quickly as possible and keep this going through June and July so we don't lose opportunities," he said.

They lost that bid to Windsor. It makes sense though. I would think of Windsor as more of a cargo hub then London due to it being so close to Detroit. London's airport is nice for passengers though. I fly Wesjet through there a few times a year.

[manny_santos]

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

I am very pleased to learn of the new routes offered at London In'tl airport, as I travel quite frequently.

I don't travel much but I think all these new routes (Calgary, Halifax, and now Chicago) are great news for London. Doesn't mean Dr. House will be any more likely to stop over here though.

I remember a time you could pretty much only fly to Toronto, Ottawa, or Montreal from London, although I seem to remember them having flights to Cleveland back in the late 1990s. I might be wrong on that. The airport terminal itself has also been heavily upgraded in recent years from what I remember back in the 90s. It is on its way to being a more major hub.

[MolsonExport]

Funny how you almost never hear of Cleveland, but geographically, is it not the biggest large city near London? (as the crow flies?)

[QuantumLeap]

One of the ways that London's economy could keep growing is by increasing our trade links with cities in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, New York and Pennsylvania. There are 60 million people in those five states alone, twice the number in Canada, with the furthest point in any one of them no more than 1000 km from London, and the most populous parts much closer. The flights were not to Cleveland, however, but Pittsburgh, on US Air.

[ldoto]

Jet museum soars to unique heights

Mon, September 14, 2009

Mandate is to not only preserve history, but restore and fly jet aircraft

Mac Mazurek's father was a fighter pilot in Second World War Poland, defending the homeland from the air.

Maybe that's why Mazurek is so fascinated with fighter jets like the ones at Canada's first Jet Aircraft Museum, which held a grand opening at the London International Airport during the weekend.

"This is Canadian history. Nobody else is doing it and it's got to be done," Mazurek says, casually leaning on a T-Bird jet trainer from 1952.

The CT-133 is one of six at the museum for a new generation of visitors to admire.

Mazurek is a museum volunteer and a pilot who lives in Chatham -- he wishes he could fly one of the fighter jets he admires so much.




In addition to the T-Birds -- in which London Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best and London West MP Ed Holder sat to cut the ribbons for the opening -- the museum boasts a yellow Harvard from 1939, a trainer that was made until 1962 and is one of 40 survivors in Canada.

The museum's mandate is to save parts of Canadian aviation history from the scrap heap and restore them. It's also to teach youngsters about flying history.

The museum also has a Russian L29 and Czech L39, and a yellow Focke Wulf 149 from Germany.

These machines aren't used anywhere anymore except by private aficionados. As they age and rust, it's important to keep them up and preserve them, said Bob Hewitt, the museum's founding president.

"Usually, museums of aviation have an aircraft on display and it's not flyworthy. Not ours. We will have four or more of each aircraft, all flyers. We will buy them, fix them, and fly them," he said.

"We have a place in the Jet Aircraft Museum for everyone's aviation dream."

Having the museum in London is important for the city, DeCicco-Best said.

"It's about remembering our past and reflecting on the future. This museum will add to our city and our community," she said.

The facility is at 2465 Aviation Lane near the airport.

[ldoto]

Wed, September 30, 2009

AIR TRAVEL

Passengers disembark the first United Airlines flight from Chicago at London Airport yesterday.

London got a new gateway to the world yesterday as United Airlines started a twice-daily flight service to Chicago The new service is a major breakthrough for London International Airport said airport vice-president Mike Seabrook.

"Chicago is a great hub. United Airlines is one of the largest carriers in the world," he said.

The twice daily flights to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport provide connections to 133 destinations. London Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best said the service will be another selling point in attracting new economic development to the city.

"The more connections we have to the rest of the world the easier it is going to be to bring companies and investment here," said DeCicco-Best.

London Airport now has service to Detroit with Northwest Airlink but Seabrook said O'Hare is a much bigger hub.




Martin Kammerman, a market analysis manager for United Airlines said the Chicago flights will serve business travellers but also provide an excellent link for destinations such as Las Vegas, Phoenix and Los Angeles; "The Chicago option is something that customers here have been wanting for a long time," he said.

Kammerman said early ticket sales indicate the service will be popular. He said the relatively small size of London airport is seen as an asset to many travellers.

"Pearson in Toronto is a beautiful airport but it's a complicated place to get around," said Kammerman.

Seabrook said all connections will help convince air travellers in the London area to fly from home instead of driving to Detroit airport to catch a flight.

"This is another positive move in stopping that cross-border leakage," he said.

The flights will depart from London at 6:45 a.m. and 4:52 p.m. on a 50-seat CRJ regional jet manufactured by Bombardier. The incoming flights depart Chicago at 2 p.m. and 6:50 p.m.

Flight time is about one hour and 20 minutes.

Travellers taking the Chicago-London flights can collect and redeem AeroPlan points because of a partnership between United and Air Canada. Seabrook said there is potential to expand the number of Chicago flights and also expand service to Washington, D.C.

London Airport also has flights to Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Detroit, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax.

[MolsonExport]

Nice to be able to get from the windbag city to the windy city.

[ldoto]

More travelers flying out of London


Last Updated: 2nd February 2010, 2:33pm

Despite a tough year for the aviation industry, the number of travelers using London International Airport jumped 6.5% in 2009.

Airport president Steve Baker said the increase was spurred by more flights to more destinations and a successful marketing campaign to persuade travelers in the London area to “fly from home” rather than use airports in Toronto or Detroit.

“It’s been a banner year for us. Most airports across the country are down 6-8%,” said Baker.

The number of travelers using London airport in 2009 increased from 449,000 to 476,000 last year.

Baker said the United Airlines new London-Chicago flights have been popular since they were launched in October.

Baker said passengers on the twice-daily flights to Chicago can access connector flights to 83 destinations around the world.

In addition to the United flights, Air Canada has a new direct flight between London and Calgary and WestJet is adding direct service to Vancouver in April.

The airport has boosted the number of seasonal charter fights to vacation destinations from three to five per week. A flight to Montego Bay, Jamaica has been added as well as an additional weekly flight to Varadero, Cuba.

Delta Airlines, which took over Northwest Airlines last year, has switched its aircraft serving London from turboprops to larger jet aircraft.

Baker expects the additional flights should boost passenger numbers in 2010 by at least 5%.

Baker said the direct vacation charter have been popular because they allow passengers to avoid connecting flights in the United States, which could involve long delays because of enhanced security.

“You’re flying from home and when you return you can clear customs and get home in 30 minutes,” he said.

Baker said London International Airport will receive one of the new full body-scanning machines that have become the new standard for airport security but Baker said the date for the installation of the machine is not being released for security reasons.

Baker said travelers will have the option of having a pat-down search if they do not want to go through the scanner.

[MolsonExport]

Good news. This should help maintain some of those direct flights. I used to fly out of Taranna mostly, but now, almost always out of London (alas, usually needing to transfer in Taranna, but at least my luggage is already checked).

[manny_santos]

Next time I fly to Mexico I will certainly consider flying from London via Chicago, as long as the price is right. I certainly have no problem using United Airlines, I do not do business with American Airlines and I'm leary of Air Canada although I've never used them. Last time I went I took a bus to Detroit and flew via Dallas-Fort Worth, which was almost $900 cheaper than flying from London via one or two other cities. But that was just before the London-Chicago route was added.

[MolsonExport]

^rilly? shee-it, that is beaucoup money.

[jodelli]

Originally Posted by y2k_pony

They lost that bid to Windsor. It makes sense though. I would think of Windsor as more of a cargo hub then London due to it being so close to Detroit. London's airport is nice for passengers though. I fly Wesjet through there a few times a year.

Windsor has a strong case for a cargo airport due to having a very large industrial base in the area and a 9000' foot runway in place. Sort of like Willow Run east.

I've been in and out of London Airport several times in the last three years and despite the two hour drive it's the right price to the right destinations (mostly Calgary IMC)

[sparky212]

London International Airport will undergo a $6.5-million expansion to create more room for passengers and accommodate more jets, Steve Baker, airport chief executive, said Wednesday.

Passenger traffic has increased 58% over the last six years. Last year, as the recession hammered the economy, 480,000 passengers filed through the terminal, a jump of 6%, Baker said.

“We have had tremendous growth, we have upscaled our aircraft to jets, we have a lot more passengers.”

The airport will use $3.5 million from reserves and will assume debt of $3 million to fund the renovation.

The airport will expand the 85,000 sq. ft. terminal by about 12,000 sq. ft. The passenger waiting area will be expanded into the apron.

In addition, four “bridges” will be added to accommodate the increased number of jets using the airport. The bridges allow passengers to board planes without walking onto the tarmac.

“We are finding that we often have three or four aircraft that can seat up to 140 to 150 people and we have a lot of passengers waiting,” said Mike Seabrook, airport vice-president.

The airport has only two flights that use turbo-prop planes. They are the Air Canada Jazz flights to Toronto and Ottawa. After the renovation, passengers on those flights are the only ones who will have to walk on the apron.

The airport is issuing tenders for the work, and will start construction within two months with hopes it will be finished by year end, Seabrook said.

The airport terminal last expanded in 2004 and since then, much has changed :

WestJet Airlines added direct jet service to Winnipeg, Calgary, Vancouver and Orlando;

Air Canada operates direct jet service to Calgary;

United Airlines offers direct jet service to Chicago;

Delta Airlines upgraded to jet service to Detroit;

The airport offers seasonal traffic to Montego Bay, Jamaica, Cancun and Cuba.

The airport added the Chicago flights in September, a time when the industry was in decline, but saw London as an opportunity to make money. “We saw that U.S. airlines were repositioning because they were losing money and we went to them and showed them opportunities here, that is how we added the Chicago service,” Baker said.

[ldoto]

More good news for YXU !!!!!