Atlantic Canada airport thread

[magee_b]

Official announcement from Air Canada on winter service changes...

Air Canada Announces Increased Capacity and Enhanced Services to Atlantic Canada

Toronto-Saint John, NB, Flights to be operated by Air Canada Rouge starting this winter
Halifax-Calgary year-round service on Air Canada starting March 1, 2020
Toronto-Charlottetown Air Canada Rouge service now year-round
Halifax-Gander additional daily flight
Moncton, Fredericton-Toronto flights now operated year-round by Air Canada Rouge

MONTREAL, July 3, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada today announced a host of enhancements to Atlantic Canada services starting this winter. Overall capacity will increase by 8% as some routes will transfer to Air Canada Rouge, and other Air Canada Rouge and mainline services will be extended to year-round.

"Leisure travellers and business customers alike will benefit from these service enhancements which clearly demonstrate our commitment to these markets as we increase capacity on numerous routes in Atlantic Canada, which we have been serving year-round since 1942, longer than any other carrier," said Mark Galardo, Vice President of Network Planning at Air Canada. "With the introduction of Air Canada Rouge service to Saint John, NB, the extension of Rouge on Charlottetown-Toronto and the expansion of Halifax-Calgary flights to year-round service, Atlantic Canada will enjoy an improved product and convenient connections throughout Air Canada's extensive North American and global network."

"Air Canada has been a valued partner for many years," said Saint John Airport President and CEO Derrick Stanford. "Their decision to enhance YSJ's current offering with bigger aircraft will mean more capacity, business-class service and faster flight times to connection banks like Toronto, something our business passengers have come to depend on. We look forward to working together to serve the Saint John community for many years to come."

"We are very pleased with Air Canada's announcement today of Air Canada Rouge service in Charlottetown for Winter 2019/2020. These larger Air Canada Rouge jets will offer added capacity on the Charlottetown-Toronto route and is a direct response to demand in the PEI market in the winter time", said Doug Newson, CEO of the Charlottetown Airport Authority. "This will result in more travel options for Islanders and those wishing to visit or do business here. The increased capacity to and from Air Canada's Toronto hub also means Islanders have more options to connect to Air Canada's extensive global network."

Beginning October 27, 2019, twice daily Saint John-Toronto flights will be operated year-round by Air Canada Rouge using an Airbus A319, replacing the Bombardier Q400s. This represents a 16% increase in available seats, while also offering an upgraded customer experience on the A319 which features Premium Rouge and Economy cabins, as well as streaming in-flight entertainment.

Air Canada operates out of four airports in New Brunswick with roughly 1,600 daily seats available for travellers. Also continuing year-round will be Air Canada Rouge service from Toronto to Moncton (three times a day) and Fredericton (twice a day), also operated by an Airbus A319, representing a 16% capacity increase through the winter season.

Charlottetown-Toronto flights operated by Air Canada Rouge in the summer will become year-round service as of December 16, 2019, with two daily flights operated with an Airbus A319. Air Canada offers nonstop flights from Charlottetown to Halifax, Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto.

Air Canada is also adding a second daily flight between Gander, NL and Halifax during the winter season. Flights between Halifax and Gander will be operated year-round on the Bombardier Q400.

From Halifax, Air Canada mainline will operate year-round non-stop service to Calgary on an Airbus A319 beginning March 1, 2020.

Air Canada also recently inaugurated non-stop service between Montreal and Sydney, Nova Scotia, for the summer season.

All flights provide for Aeroplan accumulation and redemption, Star Alliance reciprocal benefits and, for eligible customers, priority check-in, Maple Leaf Lounge access, priority boarding and other benefits.

Source: https://aircanada.mediaroom.com/2019-07-03-Air-Canada-Announces-Increased-Capacity-and-Enhanced-Services-to-Atlantic-Canada

[ryancoke]

Looks like YFC will now be 'Rouged' Starting October 1, according to the AC schedule posted online.

I know the plan was initially July. I guess the grounding of the MAX8's has caused a fair bit of schedule manipulation on the part of AC and all other operators with them in their fleets.

Interestingly enough, AC's press release today lists YFC as already 'Rouge', when so far in NB it's only YQM that has converted. Losing the early AM flight to YYZ will hurt, especially since WJ has added a 6am YYZ departure.

[gtsoc]

So they are advertising the flight to YYZ from YSJ as 35 mins faster but the online schedule lists it as being 2hr31 while the previous flight on the prop plane was listed at 2hr38

[Ire Narissis]

Maybe they mean 35 minutes faster than the CRJ400 jet? Though that wouldn't make much sense either, as that couldn't be slower than a Dash 8, could it?

[MonctonRad]

It appears that YQM has scored a new sun destination for the upcoming year.

Sunwing has announced a weekly flight (on Saturdays) between Moncton and Miami.

Here is the press release:
https://www.sunwingtravelgroup.com/e...H7pz7OHWrA8ZXQ

[Bishop2047]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

It appears that YQM has scored a new sun destination for the upcoming year.

Sunwing has announced a weekly flight (on Saturdays) between Moncton and Miami.

Here is the press release:
https://www.sunwingtravelgroup.com/e...H7pz7OHWrA8ZXQ

That is a great score. As it is not just a sun destination but also a nice hub for the southern states.

[Nashe]

Weekly timing would be perfect for cruise departures from Miami, so I don't think that's an accident.

[stephan.richard]

Wish they would include a weekly flight to Myrtle beach South Carolina either out of Moncton or Halifax for all the maritime golfers out there that call the Grand Strand home for the winter months. Although Myrtle beach is the main golfing destination on the east cost but so hard to get in and out of with a scheduled carrier.

[Djeffery]

Originally Posted by Vorkuta

Weekly timing would be perfect for cruise departures from Miami, so I don't think that's an accident.

It's doable, although 1115am out of MIA isn't ideal. Another hour later would add a nice comfort buffer.

[BlackYear]

Cargojet Canada leaving Moncton airport heading west for a quick left turn to Halifax.

Photo from my patio. Nikon D500, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 lens.

[BlackYear]

Westjet coming from Toronto. Porter coming in from Ottawa. They came in within 15 minutes of each other. They're also about 1600 feet here. Using Flightradar24 phone app.

Waiting for a good day to capture the Air Canada Rouge. Also going to retake the two below. Bad light and need to use my monopod.

[Blue Blazer]

Originally Posted by Vorkuta

Weekly timing would be perfect for cruise departures from Miami, so I don't think that's an accident.

It depends on when you cruise. as an avid cruiser I know you never leave home the same day of your cruise. too many things could happen and cause you to miss your cruise. I always go the day before

[magee_b]

Funding announced this morning to improve the cargo & de-icing facilities at YQM:

Today, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe and the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental and Northern Affairs and Internal Trade and Member of Parliament for Beauséjour, on behalf of the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, announced a major investment of $8.34 million to increase cargo operational infrastructure at the Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport, and move Canadian goods to international markets more efficiently.

The project includes:

Expanding Apron 8 to accommodate more cargo flights without affecting passenger aircraft traffic;
Expanding the de-icing pad to allow for de-icing of cargo aircraft and passenger aircraft;
A new de-icing fluid management system to comply with environmental regulations; and
Overhauling and reconstructing the road connecting the airport apron to cold storage and cargo staging facilities.

https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-c...l-airport.html

[MonctonRad]

The federal contribution to this project constitutes half of the total cost. The total cost of this project is actually nearly $17M.

This does not include other enhancements at the airport such as :
- resurfacing of the main runway ($7)
- replacement of baggage screening equipment ($5M)
- extension of runway end safety zones ($4.2M)
- terminal enhancements such as the relocation of the bar to airside from street side, and a new elevator for the second level waiting area.
- new control tower

The apron expansion will allow better capacity to handle overnight parking of aircraft, including 747 & 777 air freighters. The new roadway leading directly from the Extreme Cold warehousing facility directly to the apron will enhance loading of these air freighters, and will make the airport much more attractive to users.

[BlackYear]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

The federal contribution to this project constitutes half of the total cost. The total cost of this project is actually nearly $17M.

This does not include other enhancements at the airport such as :
- resurfacing of the main runway ($7)
- replacement of baggage screening equipment ($5M)
- extension of runway end safety zones ($4.2M)
- terminal enhancements such as the relocation of the bar to airside from street side, and a new elevator for the second level waiting area.
- new control tower

The apron expansion will allow better capacity to handle overnight parking of aircraft, including 747 & 777 air freighters. The new roadway leading directly from the Extreme Cold warehousing facility directly to the apron will enhance loading of these air freighters, and will make the airport much more attractive to users.

Looks like they worked on and may have completed resurfacing the runway parallel to Champlain street. I was there on Sat and the crews looked like they were finishing up and the CFL Boeing B732 planes were taking off and landing on this strip all afternoon as if they were testing the strip.

Here's one of the CFL planes coming and going.


And here's a view of all three sitting on the apron and the old terminal. As I said above, every couple of hours, one of them would take flight, circle the greater Moncton area a few times and come back, land & park.


Here's a view of the apron with AC Rouge, Westjet and Porter.

[J81]

It wasnt the runway ( 11/29 ) parallel to Champlain that was resurfaced. It was the recently extended runway ( 06/24 ) that had been rebuilt way back in 1999 before the francophone summit.

[Good2go]

Originally Posted by Good2go

Times & Transcript is reporting that the Kalitta Air 747 clipped a snow bank with one engine at the Moncton airport Monday evening. They have to send a special crew here to fly it out.

Here come the lawsuits...

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-b...ium%3Dsharebar

[magee_b]

YSJ posted a video update of the airfield modernization work. Watching it makes me think about how great it would've been to tie in a runway extension or minor terminal expansion at the same time, but at least they are finally getting the centerline lighting, and updating what they have. The new asphalt & paint really pops!

https://www.facebook.com/saintjohnai...5204890872096/

Also, the new hangar is coming along. Looks to be quite the project in its own right.

[MonctonianSentinel01]

Originally Posted by magee_b

YSJ posted a video update of the airfield modernization work. Watching it makes me think about how great it would've been to tie in a runway extension or minor terminal expansion at the same time, but at least they are finally getting the centerline lighting, and updating what they have. The new asphalt & paint really pops!

https://www.facebook.com/saintjohnai...5204890872096/

Also, the new hangar is coming along. Looks to be quite the project in its own right.

I agree. It looks awesome! From the air it even looks like most of the buildings are new or in great shape.

[ghYHZ]

On a trip to Newfoundland a week ago….I stopped by the small town of Botwood that played a major role in the development of transatlantic commercial air service.

https://goo.gl/maps/hpLVTuSL5fN9h5UH7

Here’s the original Terminal Building used by Pan Am in the late 1930’s through the mid ‘40s during the Flying Boat Era.






There’s an interesting Museum there depicting this heritage:










This is a floating kerosene Flare Pot that marked the landing area out in the Bay of Exploits







Here’s the schedule at Botwood in 1945. By the following year the Flying Boat era was over and Pan Am had relocated 40 miles away to Gander and the TATL service was now on a DC-4.