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47 minutes ago, Jaydee said:
Same here…I just buy a full fare ticket and haven’t used a pass in years as they are basically useless.
Ditto...
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This shortage is of a greater concern more than a reduction in passenger capacity / flight frequency for leisure or other non critical travel.
Sharp drop in new helicopter pilot licences raises concerns about country's air ambulance service
Transport Canada issued 12 licences in 2022, down from 62 a decade earlier
Canada has seen a dramatic drop in the number of helicopter pilots it licenses over the last 10 years. That’s making it more difficult for air ambulance services to recruit and retain qualified pilots to transport critically ill patients.Air ambulance services struggle with shortage of helicopter pilots
2 days agoDuration2:03Dawn Sabeski's vehicle was hit in a head-on collision on a Manitoba highway on May 28, 2017.
Sabeski's friend, who was in the vehicle with her, died on impact; Sabeski was taken to a rural hospital in western Manitoba.
Her injuries were extensive — internal bleeding and multiple fractures — and she needed more advanced medical care.
So she was transported to the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg by STARS air ambulance (which stands for Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service).
"I would not have made it [if I were] transported by ambulance to HSC. I wouldn't have made it," said Sabeski, who lives in East Selkirk, Man.
Dawn Sabeski suffered serious injuries after she was involved in a head-on collision on a Manitoba highway in May 2017. She was transported to the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg by air ambulance. (Warren Kay/CBC)Many parts of rural Canada rely on air ambulances flown by licensed helicopter pilots.
But the number of helicopter pilot licences being issued by Transport Canada has been declining over the last decade — raising concerns over what that means for air ambulances services.
According to figures provided to CBC News, Transport Canada issued 62 helicopter pilot licences in 2012. But in 2022, that number dropped by 80 per cent to just 12.
Retirements, high cost of training
John Gradek, an aviation expert at McGill University in Montreal, said the dramatic drop in the number of licences could be due to several factors.
Gradek, who co-ordinates the school's aviation management program, said pilots have been retiring, and many have also been headhunted by regional and national airlines facing their own pilot shortages.
But he also said there are other reasons, including the cost of training, which can be about $100,000.
"It is an expensive career choice," Gradek said, adding that higher pay could be one way to attract those considering a career in the cockpit.
John Gradek, an aviation expert at McGill University in Montreal, says the number of helicopter pilot licences has fallen for several reasons, including pilot retirements and the high cost of training. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)Cade Clark, vice-president of government affairs for Helicopter Association International, said members of the Virginia-based organization are looking at how to educate high school students about the industry.
"How do we reach out to high school kids, let them know that this industry is wide open and available for them? And as we bring in new students, how do we help them through that pipeline?" he said.
Clark said the helicopter pilot shortage is not unique to Canada, and is being felt south of the border and around the world.
A spokesperson for the Virginia State Police told CBC News that in August 2022, it reduced air ambulance service at one of its bases from 24/7 to 16 hours a day due to the pilot shortage. It is on track to return to round-the-clock service in mid-March.
"When we're not available, the public suffers — and that's a pretty black-and-white issue," Clark said.
"When we're not available, the public suffers — and that's a pretty black-and-white issue."- Cade Clark, Helicopter Association International
"We are truly life-saving, and so when vertical aviation is not available to service the public, there are real-world consequences.... Our operators are taking this very seriously as we look as an industry at how to address this issue."
McGill University's Gradek said air ambulance services are expanding across the country, and there will be even higher demand for pilots.
"Unfortunately, we may be in a situation where we have to ration the availability of ambulance pilots to, in fact, kind of temper the growth that the provincial governments want to see in air ambulance services," he said.
Fierce competition
Helicopter pilot Ryan Shrives, who has 24 years of experience under his belt, has flown with HALO Air Ambulance in Medicine Hat, Alta., for about three and a half years. He's previously flown for the South African Air Force and the United Nations.
Competition for pilots right now is so fierce that Shrives regularly gets headhunted.
"Five years ago, you were begging. You would be handing out CVs, trying to beg for a job," he said.
Helicopter pilot Ryan Shrives, who has flown with HALO Air Ambulance in Medicine Hat, Alta., for more than three years, says he regularly gets calls from other medevac companies looking for pilots. (Kory Siegers/CBC)"Nowadays, if you've got experience, if you've got time on the aircraft and a lot of training in different fields, the guys are calling you weekly. I've had other medevac companies — and I'm not lying when I say — they call us weekly."
Paul Carolan, the chief executive of HALO, said the helicopter service lost seven pilots in the last couple of years: four to other air ambulance operators and three who left the industry.
"If the call comes in right now, we have to be prepared to go. So having those people on-site and ready is always a factor, and it's a fundamental part of who we are," Carolan said. "So it's not that it's harder, but it certainly makes things a bit more complicated."
The organization has replaced the pilots it lost, but Carolan said recruitment is constantly top of mind.
Medical equipment is shown inside a HALO air ambulance. The helicopter service lost seven pilots in the last couple of years: four to other air ambulance operators and three who left the industry. They've since been replaced, but the organization says recruitment is a priority. (Kory Siegers/CBC)
"We're looking at every opportunity and talking to every person and trying to make sure that we stay competitive in an extremely competitive market," he said.
"There is only one position that matters when it comes to what we do, and that is the ability to fly the aircraft. Whether you have clinicians in the back, it doesn't matter if you can't get them there."
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WestJet pilots ask for federal assistance after months of failed contract talks
By Staff The Canadian PressPosted February 10, 2023 1:28 pmThe union that represents pilots at WestJet says it is asking for federal assistance after months of failing to reach a contract agreement with the airline.
The WestJet Master Executive Council, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), says it has filed a request for conciliation assistance with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
The federal Minister of Labour now has 15 days to appoint a conciliation officer. Once appointed, the officer would work with the parties for 60 days to reach an agreement.
If both parties remain at an impasse following this period, a 21-day cooling-off period begins before the parties can consider other alternatives, including a strike or lockout.ition, asks for investigation
ALPA, which represents approximately 1,800 pilots at WestJet and its low-cost subsidiary Swoop, says it has been negotiating unsuccessfully with Calgary-based WestJet since September.
The pilots’ first union contract, which expired at the end of 2022, was the result of an arbitrated settlement reached in 2018. That settlement averted a threatened pilots’ strike, as WestJet pilots had voted in favour of job action after contract talks fell apart.
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Yes, it's that magical time of year again when the Darwin Awards are bestowed, honouring the least evolved among us. Here are the glorious winners:
When his .38 caliber revolver failed to fire at his intended victim during a hold-up in Long Beach, California, would-be robber James Elliot did something that can only inspire wonder. He peered down the barrel and tried the trigger again. This time it worked.
The honorable mentions:
* The chef at a hotel in Switzerland lost a finger in a meat cutting machine and after a little shopping around, submitted a claim to his insurance company. The company expecting negligence sent out one of its men to have a look for himself. He tried the machine and he also lost a finger. The chef's claim was approved.
* A man who shovelled snow for an hour to clear a space for his car during a blizzard in Chicago returned with his vehicle to find a woman had taken the space. Understandably, he shot her.
* After stopping for drinks at an illegal bar, a Zimbabwean bus driver found that the 20 mental patients he was supposed to be transporting from Harare to Bulawayo had escaped. Not wanting to admit his incompetence, the driver went to a nearby bus stop and offered everyone waiting there a free ride. He then delivered the passengers to the mental hospital, telling the staff that the patients were very excitable and prone to bizarre fantasies. The deception wasn't discovered for 3 days.
* An American teenager was in the hospital recovering from serious head wounds received from an oncoming train. When asked how he received the injuries, the lad told police that he was simply trying to see how close he could get his head to a moving train before he was hit.
* A man walked into a Louisiana Circle-K, put a $20 bill on the counter, and asked for change. When the clerk opened the cash drawer, the man pulled a gun and asked for all the cash in the register, which the clerk promptly provided. The man took the cash from the clerk and fled, leaving the $20 bill on the counter. The total amount of cash he got from the drawer $15. [If someone points a gun at you and gives you money, is a crime committed?]
* Seems an Arkansas guy wanted some beer pretty badly. He decided that he'd just throw a cinder block through a liquor store window, grab some booze, and run. So, he lifted the cinder block and heaved it over his head at the window. The cinder block bounced back and hit the would-be thief on the head, knocking him unconscious. The liquor store window was made of Plexiglas. The whole event was caught on videotape.
* As a female shopper exited a New York convenience store, a man grabbed her purse and ran. The clerk called 911 immediately, and the woman was able to give them a detailed description of the snatcher. Within minutes, the police apprehended the snatcher. They put him in the car and drove back to the store. The thief was then taken out of the car and told to stand there for a positive ID. To which he replied, Yes, officer, that's her. That's the lady I stole the purse from.
* The Ann Arbor News crime column reported that a man walked into a Burger King in Ypsilanti, Michigan at 5 A.M., flashed a gun, and demanded cash. The clerk turned him down because he said he couldn't open the cash register without a food order. When the man ordered onion rings, the clerk said they weren't available for breakfast... The frustrated gunman walked away.
* [*A 5-STAR STUPIDITY AWARD WINNER]
When a man attempted to siphon gasoline from a motor home parked on a Seattle street by sucking on a hose, he got much more than he bargained for. Police arrived at the scene to find a very sick man curled up next to a motor home near spilled sewage. A police spokesman said that the man admitted to trying to steal gasoline, but he plugged his siphon hose into the motor home's sewage tank by mistake. The owner of the vehicle declined to press charges saying that it was the best laugh he'd ever had and the perp had been punished enough!
In the interest of bettering mankind, share these with friends and family... unless of course one of these individuals by chance is a distant relative or long-lost friend. In that case, be glad they are distant and hope they remain lost.
Remember... They walk among us and they can reproduce! And they Vote!
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A shared product and that is exactly right. All having to meet the same standard re complaint response. YES....
But ...... will that shared product and shared response ever happen? Not under our present government and likely not any other one.
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WestJet pilots at an ‘impasse’ with airline over contract talks: union
By Amanda Stephenson The Canadian PressPosted February 7, 2023 1:00 pm Then union representing WestJet pilots says contract negotiations with the airline have been unproductive and federal arbitration may be needed to avert a strike.ALPA Canada, which represents approximately 1,800 pilots at WestJet and its low-cost subsidiary Swoop, says it has been negotiating unsuccessfully with the Calgary-based company since September.
“We’re getting very close, in our opinion, to being at an impasse,” said Bernie Lewall, chair of the union’s WestJet Pilots Association.
“I think it is very likely that we’re going to enter conciliation soon — as far as a strike, I can’t say.”
At issue, Lewall said, are wages and scheduling concerns as well as the union’s desire to see all pilots that fly WestJet planes receive “equal pay for equal work.”
Currently, pilots who fly for the Swoop banner are paid less than pilots who fly for mainline WestJet. With WestJet’s proposed acquisition of leisure carrier Sunwing awaiting regulatory approval, Lewall said the union is concerned about the creation of yet another class of pilots with a different pay scale.
“We could get into a position where we potentially could have three airlines under the WestJet group of companies, all flying the same aircraft type for different wages and working conditions,” he said.
“We just see that as an attempt by management to work around the current WestJet pilots’ contract.”response from airline, Sask. woman travels to Alta. to hunt down lost luggage
In an emailed statement, WestJet spokeswoman Denise Kenny said the airline remains focused on successfully working with ALPA to reach an agreement.
“We are committed to working together to address issues raised by our valued pilots as we move forward through any required steps of the bargaining process,” Kenny said.
Trending Now -
7 minutes ago, Falken said:
Where was Canada when this balloon came drifting across our sovereign territory??
Directly underneath at one point.
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we will never know but you do wonder what if the AC pilots had continued with CALPA.
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Air Canada pilots union considers merger with larger union
Story by By Allison Lampert and Aishwarya Nair • 2h ago23Comments
IN THIS ARTICLEBy Allison Lampert and Aishwarya Nair
FILE PHOTO: Airplanes at Toronto Pearson airport© Thomson ReutersMONTREAL (Reuters) -The major pilots union in North America and the union representing Air Canada pilots have had initial talks about a merger at a time when airlines are under pressure to staff up to meet rebounding travel demand, representatives of the unions told Reuters.
The Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA) represents about 4,500 pilots who fly passengers and cargo for the airline. The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the world's largest pilots union, represents more than 60,000 pilots in the United States and Canada.
A merger of the unions could give the ACPA access to additional bargaining resources as members press to make gains in future bargaining after a pandemic-induced slump in travel.
“ALPA and ACPA pilot leaders met this week for an initial discussion about a potential merger and the benefits of being stronger together," the unions said in a statement to Reuters.
"Any decision on whether to formalize a partnership would ultimately rest with the pilots and their elected leaders at each union," the statement said.Gl
Air Canada declined comment on internal union matters.
ALPA has grown as the North American airline industry as consolidated over the years. The union has added pilots at 12 carriers in Canada and the United States since 2019.
"With fewer airlines to represent, they seem to be doing a better job of representing all pilots," said Helane Becker, an analyst at investment Cowen who tracks the industry.
Pilots at the largest U.S. carrier, American Airlines Group agreed late last year to explore a merger with ALPA, which represents pilots at United Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
The Allied Pilots Assocation (APA) represents about 15,000 pilots at American. An APA committee is expected to issue a report on the potential merger in May.
North American pilots are commanding increased leverage as carriers staff up to meet booming demand, putting pressure on U.S. airline profits.
Delta Air Lines' recent offer to give pilots a 34% cumulative pay increase in a new four-year contract has boosted hopes of similar raises at rivals United Airlines UAL.O and American.
United, Delta, American and Southwest Airlines Co are planning to hire 8,000 pilots this year compared to the historical average of 6,000 to 7,000, United Chief Executive Scott Kirby said recently.
Canada's largest carrier and its pilots reached a 10-year agreement in 2014 that allows bargaining this June on some issues.
(Reporting By Allison Lampert in Montreal and Aishwarya Nair in Bengaluru. Additional reporting by Rajesh Kumar Singh in Chicago; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and David Gregorio)
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Determination No. A-2023-24
February 2, 2023APPLICATION by Sunwing Airlines Inc. carrying on business as Sunwing (Sunwing), on behalf of itself and Smartwings, a.s. (Smartwings), pursuant to section 60 of the Canada Transportation Act, SC 1996, c 10 (CTA), and section 8.2 of the Air Transportation Regulations, SOR/88-58 (ATR).
Case number:23-06794APPLICATION
Sunwing, on behalf of itself and Smartwings, has applied to the Canadian Transportation Agency (Agency) for an approval to permit Sunwing to provide its scheduled international services between Canada and each of the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda; Aruba; Cuba; the Dominican Republic; Jamaica; and Mexico, using one aircraft with flight crew provided by Smartwings, beginning on February 4, 2023, to May 25, 2023.
Sunwing has also requested an exemption from the application of subsection 8.2(2) of the ATR, which requires the filing of an application for an approval at least 15 days before the first planned flight. The Agency finds that compliance with subsection 8.2(2) of the ATR is impractical in this case. Accordingly, the Agency, pursuant to paragraph 80(1)(c) of the CTA, exempts Sunwing from the application of subsection 8.2(2) of the ATR.
Sunwing is licensed to operate the relevant scheduled international services, large aircraft.
In its application filed on January 31, 2023, Sunwing states that this application is for one additional aircraft, beyond the six aircraft already approved by the Agency, for a total of seven aircraft to be wet-leased by Sunwing. It also states that it had 33 aircraft on its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) at the time of the application.
POLICY
When assessing wet-lease applications where Canadian carriers propose to enter into wet-lease arrangements of more than 30 days with foreign carriers to provide international passenger services, the Agency must apply a direction issued by the Minister of Transport on June 24, 2014, entitled Ministerial Direction for International Service – Canada's Policy for Wet-Leasing (2014 Wet-Lease Policy), and must specifically ensure that the 20% cap is respected at the time of the application. The 2014 Wet-Lease Policy also states that the Agency should condition or deny an application if Canadian air carriers do not enjoy reciprocal opportunities to wet lease in the foreign jurisdiction of the lessor.
PRELIMINARY MATTER
On matters of international reciprocity, the Agency's general practice is that reciprocity by the authorities of the lessor's country of origin, in this case the Czech Republic, is assumed unless evidence is brought to the contrary. The Agency is not aware of any similar application by a Canadian carrier to the aeronautical authorities of the Czech Republic that has been denied.
Upon review of the application, the Agency determined that it did not raise issues with respect to reciprocity. Consequently, the Agency did not provide notice to seek comments from industry in respect of the application.
ISSUE
Is the Agency satisfied that the application of Sunwing meets the requirements of section 8.2 of the ATR and the criteria of the 2014 Wet-Lease Policy, specifically the 20% cap?
ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
Section 60 of the CTA requires that a licensee obtain, where prescribed, an approval from the Agency prior to using aircraft with flight crew provided by another person.
Section 8.2 of the ATR sets out the information to be included in an application and the requirements to be met for an approval pursuant to section 60 of the CTA.
Pursuant to the 2014 Wet-Lease Policy, for wet leases of more than 30 days, a number of aircraft equal to 20% of the number of Canadian registered aircraft on the lessee's AOC may be wet leased from foreign lessors. The Agency notes that at the time of the application, that is, January 31, 2023, Sunwing had 33 aircraft on its AOC. Therefore, Sunwing's application meets the 20% cap requirement of the 2014 Wet-Lease Policy.
The Agency has considered the application and the material in support and is satisfied that it meets the remaining requirements of section 8.2 of the ATR. The Agency is also satisfied that the application satisfies the criteria of the 2014 Wet-Lease Policy.
Accordingly, the Agency, pursuant to paragraph 60(1)(b) of the CTA and section 8.2 of the ATR, approves the use by Sunwing of one aircraft with flight crew provided by Smartwings, and the provision by Smartwings of such aircraft and flight crew to Sunwing, to permit Sunwing to provide its scheduled international services on licensed routes between Canada and each of the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda; Aruba; Cuba; the Dominican Republic; Jamaica; and Mexico, using one aircraft with flight crew provided by Smartwings, beginning on February 4, 2023, to May 25, 2023.
This approval is subject to the following conditions:
- Sunwing shall continue to hold the valid licence authority.
- Commercial control of the flights shall be maintained by Sunwing. Smartwings shall maintain operational control of the flights and shall receive payment based on the rental of aircraft and crew and not on the basis of the volume of traffic carried or other revenue-sharing formula.
- Sunwing and Smartwings shall continue to comply with the insurance requirements set out in subsections 8.2(4), 8.2(5) and 8.2(6) of the ATR.
- Sunwing shall continue to comply with the public disclosure requirements set out in section 8.5 of the ATR.
- Sunwing and Smartwings shall advise the Agency in advance of any changes to the information provided in support of the application.
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Determination No. A-2023-20
February 1, 2023APPLICATION by Canada Jetlines Operations Ltd. (applicant) pursuant to subsection 69(1) of the Canada Transportation Act, SC 1996, c 10 (CTA).
Case number:22-45567The applicant has applied to the Canadian Transportation Agency (Agency) for a licence to operate a scheduled international service, large aircraft, in accordance with the Agreement on Air Transport between Canada and the European Community and its Member States, signed on December 18, 2009 (Agreement).
The Agency is satisfied that the applicant meets all the applicable requirements of subsection 69(1) of the CTA. The Agency also finds that the pertinent terms and conditions of the Agreement have been complied with.
Accordingly, the Agency issues the licence.
Pursuant to subsection 71(1) of the CTA, the licence is subject to the conditions prescribed by the Air Transportation Regulations, SOR/88-58, and the following conditions:
- Subject to the availability of rights as set out in Annex 2 of the Agreement, the Licensee is authorized to operate a scheduled international service on the route set out in the Agreement.
- The scheduled international service is to be conducted in accordance with the Agreement and any applicable arrangements agreed to between Canada and the European Community and its Member States.
Determination No. A-2023-23
February 1, 2023APPLICATION by Canada Jetlines Operations Ltd. (applicant) pursuant to subsection 69(1) of the Canada Transportation Act, SC 1996, c 10 (CTA).
Case number:22-45572The applicant has applied to the Canadian Transportation Agency (Agency) for a licence to operate a scheduled international service, large aircraft, in accordance with the Arrangement between the Government of Canada and the Government of Saint Lucia set out in an agreed Minute, signed on May 5, 2016 (Arrangement).
The Agency is satisfied that the applicant meets all the applicable requirements of subsection 69(1) of the CTA. The Agency also finds that the pertinent terms and conditions of the Arrangement have been complied with.
Determination No. A-2023-22
February 1, 2023APPLICATION by Canada Jetlines Operations Ltd. (applicant) pursuant to subsection 69(1) of the Canada Transportation Act, SC 1996, c 10 (CTA).
Case number:22-45570The applicant has applied to the Canadian Transportation Agency (Agency) for a licence to operate a scheduled international service, large aircraft, in accordance with the Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United Mexican States on Air Transport signed on July 27, 2018 (Agreement).
The Agency is satisfied that the applicant meets all the applicable requirements of subsection 69(1) of the CTA. The Agency also finds that the pertinent terms and conditions of the Agreement have been complied with.
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Determination No. A-2023-21
February 1, 2023APPLICATION by Canada Jetlines Operations Ltd. (applicant) pursuant to subsection 69(1) of the Canada Transportation Act, SC 1996, c 10 (CTA).
Case number:22-45568The applicant has applied to the Canadian Transportation Agency (Agency) for a licence to operate a scheduled international service, large aircraft, in accordance with the Agreement on Air Transport between the Government of Canada and the Government of Jamaica, signed on December 20, 2016 (Agreement).
The Agency is satisfied that the applicant meets all the applicable requirements of subsection 69(1) of the CTA. The Agency also finds that the pertinent terms and conditions of the Agreement have been complied with.
Accordingly, the Agency issues the licence.
Pursuant to subsection 71(1) of the CTA, the licence is subject to the conditions prescribed by the Air Transportation Regulations, SOR/88 58, and the following conditions:
- The Licensee is authorized to operate a scheduled international service on the route(s) set out in the Agreement.
- The scheduled international service is to be conducted in accordance with the Agreement and any applicable arrangements agreed to between Canada and Jamaica.
Member(s)
Mark MacKeiganDetermination No. A-2023-17
February 1, 2023APPLICATION by Canada Jetlines Operations Ltd. (applicant) pursuant to subsection 69(1) of the Canada Transportation Act, SC 1996, c 10 (CTA).
Case number:22-45542The applicant has applied to the Canadian Transportation Agency (Agency) for a licence to operate a scheduled international service, large aircraft, in accordance with the Arrangement between the Government of Canada and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda set out in an Agreed Minute, signed on May 10, 2016 (Arrangement).
The Agency is satisfied that the applicant meets all the applicable requirements of subsection 69(1) of the CTA. The Agency also finds that the pertinent terms and conditions of the Arrangement have been complied with.
Accordingly, the Agency issues the licence.
Pursuant to subsection 71(1) of the CTA, the licence is subject to the conditions prescribed by the Air Transportation Regulations, SOR/88 58, and the following conditions:
- The Licensee is authorized to operate a scheduled international service on the route(s) set out in the Arrangement.
- The scheduled international service is to be conducted in accordance with the Arrangement and any applicable arrangements agreed to between Canada and Antigua and Barbuda.
Member(s)
Mark MacKeigan -
Determination No. A-2023-18
February 1, 2023APPLICATION by Canada Jetlines Operations Ltd. (applicant) pursuant to subsection 69(1) of the Canada Transportation Act, SC 1996, c 10 (CTA).
Case number:22-45561The applicant has applied to the Canadian Transportation Agency (Agency) for a licence to operate a scheduled international service, large aircraft, in accordance with the Arrangement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Republic of Cuba set out in an Agreed Minute, signed on May 8, 2015 (Arrangement).
The Agency is satisfied that the applicant meets all the applicable requirements of subsection 69(1) of the CTA. The Agency also finds that the pertinent terms and conditions of the Arrangement have been complied with.
Accordingly, the Agency issues the licence.
Pursuant to subsection 71(1) of the CTA, the licence is subject to the conditions prescribed by the Air Transportation Regulations, SOR/88 58, and the following conditions:
- The Licensee is authorized to operate a scheduled international service on the route(s) set out in the Arrangement.
- The scheduled international service is to be conducted in accordance with the Arrangement and any applicable arrangements agreed to between Canada and Cuba.
Member(s)
Mark MacKeigan -
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Reason I asked is there used to be and still be a requirement for a carrier operating the only air service between 2 points in Canada to be required to apply for permission to abandon the route.
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was / is Porter their only scheduled airline ?
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Porter Airlines cancels flight service between Toronto and Muskoka
Story by Cottage Life • 1h agoIt’s back to driving if you want to head up to Muskoka. On January 11, Porter Airlines announced that it’s discontinuing flight service between Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport and Muskoka Airport, north of Gravenhurst, Ont.
Porter Airlines cancels flight service between Toronto and Muskoka© Photo by Shutterstock/The Bold Bureau“Porter has appreciated working with local tourism and airport partners to promote Muskoka over the years,” said Brad Cicero, the director of communications and public affairs for Porter Airlines, in a statement. “Our joint efforts have contributed to generating broader interest in the region that we hope will have long-term benefits for the community.”
James Murphy, the CEO of RTO 12, a regional tourism organization that has been advocating for commercial flights to Muskoka since 2016 and was responsible for attracting Porter to the area, said that Porter’s cancellation of the flight service was a business decision.
While Jeff Lehman, the district chair for Muskoka, said: “The service was cancelled due to changes made by the terminal operator at the Island Airport in Toronto.” He added that the cancellation will impact Muskoka tourist operators who used the service as a way to bring people to the region from the city. “It’s disappointing to be sure, given the service was successful.”
Porter would not specify what factors led to the decision. Although, the airline has shifted its focus to its 100 new aircraft, which will be flying out of Toronto’s Pearson Airport to Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary starting in February.
Despite the cancelled service, Murphy stressed that RTO 12 had no hard feelings towards Porter. “At the time, we partnered with Porter, we were an untested airport and destination for the aviation industry, and our business case was built on projections,” he said. “Now, we have solid data and experience for building scheduled service at the airport, including successfully increasing the number of international visitors in 2022 over the inaugural season.”
Porter partnered with RTO 12 and the Muskoka Airport in 2019, offering flights between the two airports twice a week. The average cost of a roundtrip flight was around $200 with the trip taking approximately 20 minutes one way.
Related video: Billy Bishop Airport key
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“We are challenging the definition of economy travel”: Porter Airlines previews its E195-E2 experience
ShareTORONTO — With the launch of its new E195-E2 aircraft, Porter Airlines is ready to shake up the Canadian airline industry – again.
The carrier’s first jet flights start this week, and continue throughout February with a flurry of launch dates: Ottawa and Montreal on Feb. 1 (4x daily); Vancouver on Feb. 7 (3x daily); Edmonton on Feb. 14 (2x daily); Calgary on Feb. 22 (2x daily); and Halifax on Feb. 23 (2x daily).
All of these flights are out of Toronto Pearson, mind you. When Porter first launched back in 2006, the carrier set up shop at the underused Toronto Islands airport. And it was Porter’s expanding network that became the driving factor in making Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport what it is today: an indispensible gateway for Toronto’s leisure and corporate travellers alike, to regional destinations in Canada and the U.S. (Porter also flies to destinations from Ottawa, Halifax and Montreal).
Now Porter is set to galvanize the industry again with its new E195-E2 service out of Toronto Pearson, to cities already in its network plus Western Canada, and soon the western U.S., Caribbean and Mexico. It’s all part of the company’s massive expansion, first announced in 2021 and now with orders for up to 100 aircraft.
Naysayers may question whether travellers will want to make the trek to Pearson. They already do, for every other airline. Plus, say Porter’s executives, the carrier’s laser-focus on the flight experience for economy travellers – yes, economy – will be a big differentiator when it comes to the competition. Porter wants to revolutionize economy class service, building on the customer service strengths and passenger loyalty Porter has been cultivating since 2006.
Porter’s E195-E2 aircraft, preparing for take-off from Pearson Airport
“For the past two decades airlines have chipped away at the economy class experience, to the point that flying economy has become painful, stressful and in many ways, dehumanizing. We are challenging the definition of economy travel,” said Michael Deluce, President & CEO, Porter Airlines, at the Jan. 27 media preview of the new E195-E2s.
“EMBRACING ECONOMY CLASS PASSENGERS”
As Deluce noted, “economy is a segment many wouldn’t associate with Porter Airlines. And it’s a segment that other airlines shy away from.”
But the vast majority of air travellers fly economy, and while other airlines court the big-ticket business and first class passengers, Porter is championing economy. “Porter is going to be embracing economy class passengers going forward,” says Deluce.
Trade and consumer media had a chance to experience Porter’s E195-E2 offering at Friday’s preview, on a two-hour flight to nowhere out of Pearson.
Anyone already familiar with Porter’s service onboard its Dash 8-400 turboprop aircraft out of YTZ knows this is an airline that prioritizes customer service and attention to detail. Complimentary premium snacks are offered on every flight. There’s also a choice of beverages including free beer and wine served in real glassware. On the preview flight, which showcased PorterReserve, the meal box came with seven-layer Mexican dip and olive puffs, plus a choice of three entrees: soba noodle bowl; tropical salmon poke; or croissant sandwich with chicken salad.
NO MIDDLE SEATS
All Porter flights also offer a 2×2 configuration, with no middle seats, and that’s true not just for the YTZ flights but also the E195-E2 flights out of Pearson too.
The airline’s introduction of the E195-E2 aircraft also brings passengers on those flights free, fast WiFi plus in-seat power outlets.
Passengers on both the Dash 8-400s and E195-E2s will soon be familiar with Porter’s two fare classes, introduced in December 2022.
Porter’s traditional economy experience is now referred to as PorterClassic. Passengers travelling with a PorterClassic fare get 30” of seat pitch on every Porter aircraft. On the E195-E2, they may also purchase one of 20 PorterStretch seats, offering a minimum of 34” of seat pitch.
Porter’s new, all-inclusive economy experience is called PorterReserve, and comes with “all of the perks economy travellers may want for one reasonable price that is significantly lower than business class.” PorterReserve fares include dedicated airport check-in, early boarding, enhanced legroom, fresh meals on longer flights, Porter’s signature beer, wine and premium snacks, cocktails, two checked bags and the ability to change flights without a fee. PorterReserve is available on every Porter flight. On the Dash 8-400s, PorterReserve is in the first two rows with 32” of seat pitch. On the E195-E2s, PorterReserve is in the first four rows of the cabin with 36” of seat pitch. The 36” pitch is truly a revelation.
Porter’s economy class offering adds up to a product “unlike anything you will find with other airlines,” said Deluce. The E195-E2 is the best narrow-body aircraft available, he added. Porter is going all-in with the E195-E2s, in a big way. The airline has a confirmed order for 50 of the 132-passenger twin-engine aircraft, with options for more.
PLAYING THE LONG GAME
Some in the industry may remember that Porter tried to get Toronto and various levels of government onboard with jet flights from Billy Bishop Airport a few years back. When that didn’t work out, Porter continued with its Dash 8-400 service from YTZ, building its network and customer loyalty.
Now with jet service set to start from Pearson on Feb. 1, a day before the airline’s 17th anniversary, it’s clear Porter has played the long game beautifully. At Friday’s preview event, we asked Porter’s Executive Chairman, Robert Deluce, if he ever had doubts this day would come. “No, never,” he said with a smile. “As they say, timing is everything.”
Porter Reserve pre-meal snack
INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL DELUCE
We also got a chance to talk to President & CEO, Michael Deluce, while onboard Friday’s preview flight.
Our first question: when might travel agents get word about Porter’s sun flights to the Caribbean and Mexico?
Not surprisingly, the timing for Porter’s destination announcements are still under wraps, said Deluce. “But we have 50 new E195-E2s coming in the next two years, so it’s going to happen very fast,” he told us. “Sooner rather than later.”
Meanwhile the company’s map of potential Porter destinations in the U.S. includes L.A., San Francisco, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, Nashville, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Charlotte, Orlando, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Fort Myers and Miami.
We also asked Deluce about Porter Escapes, long a part of the Porter product offering but not overtly highlighted in marketing messaging. Could the industry see more of a push for Porter Escapes once more sun destinations are confirmed on the map? “Up until now, we’ve seen Porter Escapes as complimentary to our regional network,” he said. “But looking at destinations like Las Vegas, Florida, and Mexico and the Caribbean, you’ll see a strong focus on Porter Escapes.”
As Porter expands in size and network, it also continues to work with travel advisors, an important distribution channel for the airline. The volume of bookings coming through travel agents is “a meaningful amount,” said Deluce. It’s a mix too, of corporate and leisure.
“We’re fully committed to the travel trade,” he added.
Porter Airlines’ E195-E2 interior.
Main pic at top of article: Johan van ’t Hof, Board of Directors, GTAA; Doug Allingham, Chairman of the Board, GTAA; Deborah Flint, President & CEO, GTAA; Michael Deluce, President & CEO, Porter Airlines at the media preview of the new E195-E2, Jan. 27, 2023
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Westjet cancels flights between Halifax and Europe for summer 2023
Story by Anjuli Patil • 1h agoComments
Westjet has cancelled its flights between Halifax and Europe for this summer.
Westjet announced it would not offer direct flights to Europe this summer from Halifax.© Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian PressPreviously, Westjet offered direct flights from Halifax to London Gatwick, Dublin, Glasgow and Paris during the summer months.
In a news release on Monday, the airline said the suspension was temporary, but also that it would "evaluate the return of transatlantic service in 2024."
Westjet said tickets for the summer 2023 European routes from Halifax were never made available for sale.
The airline said it was planning to enhance service in Canada, including between Halifax and Western Canada.
"As we continue to responsibly balance our schedule alongside operational requirements, capacity constraints and the deployment of our aircraft across Canada, we are making these difficult decisions now to enable us to re-position our investments to best serve [Nova Scotia] for years to come," John Weatherill, WestJet Group executive vice-president and chief commercial officer, said in a news release.
In a statement to CBC News, Halifax Stanfield International Airport said it was "disappointed Westjet won't be back this summer ... but we understand they are dealing with capacity challenges not a lack of interest or support in serving this market."
The airport said it has year-round daily non-stop flights operated by Air Canada between Halifax and London Heathrow, the largest hub airport in the United Kingdom.
Non-stop routes 'critical' for tourism and trade
The airport said peak summer travel will be supported by additional flights between Halifax and Frankfurt offered by Condor and Eurowings Discover. The companies will each offer three non-stop, weekly flights.
The airport's statement said non-stop routes are important for tourism and trade.
"We continue to work closely with existing and prospective airlines, and we will pursue every opportunity to increase Nova Scotia's connections to the world," it said.
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Determination No. A-2023-14
January 27, 2023APPLICATION by Porter Airlines (Canada) Limited (applicant) pursuant to subsection 69(1) of the Canada Transportation Act, SC 1996, c 10 (CTA).
Case number:22-10611The applicant has applied to the Canadian Transportation Agency (Agency) for a licence to operate a scheduled international service, large aircraft in accordance with the Air Transport Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America signed on March 12, 2007 (Agreement).
The Agency is satisfied that the applicant meets all the applicable requirements of subsection 69(1) of the CTA. The Agency also finds that the pertinent terms and conditions of the Agreement have been complied with.
Accordingly, the Agency issues the licence.
Pursuant to subsection 71(1) of the CTA, the licence is subject to the conditions prescribed by the Air Transportation Regulations, SOR/88-58, and the following conditions:
- The Licensee is authorized to operate a scheduled international service on the route set out in the Agreement.
- The scheduled international service is to be conducted in accordance with the Agreement and any applicable arrangements agreed to between Canada and the United States of America.
Member(s)
Mark MacKeigan -
Air Canada Rouge Airbus A321 MAYDAY Due To "Multiple Successive Fault Messages"
PUBLISHED 13 HOURS AGOVarious systems failed during the A321 flight from Cozumel to Toronto prompting a MAYDAY and diversion.
An Airbus A321-200 operated by Air Canada Rouge was flying from Cozumel (Mexico) to its home base at Toronto Pearson International Airport on January 23rd when issues arose with various flight systems. The issues were so severe that the crew was forced to declare MAYDAY and divert to Tampa, Florida in the United States.
Flight and incident details
According to The Aviation Herald, the Air Canada Rouge Airbus A321-200 registered C-GHQI was performing flight RV1997 from Cozumel to Toronto on January 23rd when the incident occurred.
Cruising at FL370, across the Gulf of Mexico and some 250nm north of Cozumel, the flight crew began to receive "multiple successive fault messages" on the aircraft's ECAM (Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitor). The ECAM is used to monitor and display engine and aircraft system information to the pilots.
Messages alerted the crew of issues with the aircraft's ELAC (Elevator and Aileron Computer), stabilizer, autopilot and yellow hydraulic system. As result of these issues, the aircraft's fly-by-wire system reverted from Normal Law to ALTN LAW (Alternate Law). As pilot Mohamed Anas Maaz explains, "when met with certain failure conditions, the aircraft control laws degrade to alternate law. In alternate law, most of the envelope protections are lost except for the load factor protection."
The flight crew then declared MAYDAY and diverted Tampa International Airport. During the flight's approach towards this diversion airport, the aircraft's fly-by-wire further downgraded to Direct Law - a setting where all the protections (over/under speed protection, pitch/bank angle limits, etc) are lost, and the pilot is required to trim the aircraft manually. Despite the changes the aircraft's systems and controls, the pilots landed the aircraft safely on Tampa's runway 01L, approximately 50 minutes after issues surfaced.
Aircraft details and current situation
According to Planespotters.net, the Airbus A321-200 registered C-GHQI was delivered to Air Canada in January 2019 as a second-hand airframe. With an age of eight and a half years at the time of this article's publication, the aircraft began its service life as VQ-BMI (MSN 6232) flying for Russia's UTAir from 2014 to 2015. Then, from 2015 to 2019, this aircraft operated with the now-defunct Icelandic budget airline WOW Air - registered as TF-DAD.
As of November 2022, ch-aviation.com data lists the aircraft as having flown 20,142 hours across 5,652 cycles and is configured with a two-class cabin: 12 seats in its "Premium Rouge" class and another 184 in economy class.
At the time of this article's publication, it appears that this aircraft is still in Tampa (over four days since the incident). While FlightRadar24.com data lists the A321 as being scheduled to operate Air Canada flight AC1664 from Toronto to Fort Myers on January 28th at 12:00, this data may be outdated as there is still no record of the aircraft returning (or being scheduled to return) to Toronto from Tampa. -
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a… whale?
Airbus Beluga leaves St. John's onlookers with quite a tail to tell
9commentsThe Airbus Beluga is refuelling in St. John's before breaching again to deliver a satellite to the Kennedy Space Center. (Ted Dillon/CBC)
Plane spotters had a whale of a time in St. John's on Wednesday with the arrival of the Airbus Beluga, but no one was blubbering about the cold — it was all fin and games as they watched the giant plane touch down.
The plane, carrying a satellite for British telecommunications company Inmarsat, stopped at St. John's International Airport to refuel before continuing to Cape Canaveral in Florida.
Will Goodridge — a Gander flight student and self-proclaimed aviation enthusiast — was at the airport watching when the Beluga arrived.
WATCH | A massive whale-shaped plane lands in St. John's
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a… whale? | CBC News
The distinctive Airbus Beluga plane — shaped like the eponymous whale — landed in St. John's on Wednesday, and planespotters were there to see it.
Baby beluga in the deep blue sky
3 days agoDuration0:52"When you got a plane like the Beluga coming in, as an enthusiast, you got to come up. No question," he said.
Whale, whale, whale... Plane enthusiast and flight student Will Goodridge was at the airport to watch the Airbus Beluga's arrival. (Ted Dillon/CBC)
He has seen an Airbus Beluga once before, when he was flying in Gander. The Beluga was taking off at that time, and Goodridge still enjoys telling the... tail.
Jillian Rice, Inmarsat's regional human resources director, said this type of aircraft is rare.
"There are actually only five Belugas, not counting the XL Beluga, so it's a rare sighting and it's exciting for us to see this here today," she said.
"Standing next to something that so many of our employees have worked so diligently with Airbus employees on is just a real feeling of pride and accomplishment."
Goodridge said the Airbus Beluga was designed to transport aircraft parts, such as wings. It would transport those components to Airbus's manufacturing plant in France. Now, he said, the Beluga is used for other missions, like delivering satellites.
Plane passion
Goodridge spent five years studying business at Memorial University before applying to flight school because of his lifelong interest in planes.
He isn't sure where his interest comes from — ever since he was a kid, he has just been fascinated — but that passion has lingered for his entire life. And where there's a whale, there's a way.
"Every time I knew there was a cool plane coming to St. John's … I'd always make my way out. And I was always fascinated by it."
Goodridge said he wasn't surprised to see dozens of people at the airport waiting to watch the Beluga land.
"I don't know a single person who doesn't look up in the sky when they hear an airplane," he said.
Rice said excited aircraft enthusiasts can see the Airbus Beluga when it stops to fuel up on the way back to France.
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3 hours ago, Tango Foxtrot said:So The YVR Airport Service Provider not being the slightest bit prepared for winter operations is the airline's fault
So I guess then AC is also to blame for the mess today and yesterday at Pearson.
Hundreds of flights cancelled at Pearson
Pearson Airport reported on its website that more than 26 per cent of its departures and more than 27 per cent of its arrivals were cancelled by airlines on Wednesday.
"Delays and cancellations are expected so please check your flight status with your airline," the airport said.
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Air Canada names in-flight chief Turner to lead cargo
Airline expands freighter network to more European destinations
·Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Ground workers unload a shipment from an Air Canada passenger jet. (Photo: Air Canada)
Air Canada on Wednesday appointed Jon Turner to replace Jason Berry, who is leaving to help run a small U.S. regional airline, as vice president of cargo.
Turner is currently vice president of in-flight services and will take on the cargo role effective Feb. 18.
Berry surprised the airfreight community this month when he resigned to be vice president of operations at Horizon Air, a subsidiary of Seattle-based Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK). Sources said his decision was based on family considerations. Berry will return to the Seattle area where he lived for many years prior to joining Air Canada two years ago.
Jon Turner (Photo: Air Canada)
Turner has moved up the leadership ranks at Air Canada (OTCUS: ACDVF), gaining expertise in global strategy, operations and customer service. He also served as vice president, maintenance and engineering, with responsibility for the airline’s aircraft acquisition, fleet management and airworthiness. He also was president and CEO of Sky Regional, a Canadian airline that operated under the Air Canada Express brand, and before that as executive vice president at Air Transat.
Turner became president of operations for leisure carrier Air Canada Rouge in June 2019 before assuming the helm of Air Canada’s inflight service branch.
Air Canada turned to a Canadian native to head the cargo division after previously hiring Americans Berry and Tim Strauss, who now runs Miami-based Amerijet.
Berry’s departure comes as Air Canada makes a major strategic shift into the all-cargo sector. He was the architect of the cargo expansion, and industry experts say the company could experience some transition challenges with the change in leadership, especially since Turner doesn’t have direct cargo experience.
Turner will oversee how to maximize revenue opportunities for Air Canada’s three Boeing 767 converted freighters, as well as seven more on the way, plus two Boeing 777 freighters scheduled for delivery in 2024.
On Monday, Air Canada said it will begin scheduled freighter service to Liege, Belgium, next month, with flights to Basel, Switzerland, slated to begin in April.
The carrier will operate two cargo flights per week to Liege, with service increasing to three flights per week later in the year. Basel, a major pharmaceutical hub, will get two flights per week. The flights will originate in Toronto, where Air Canada has a recently expanded temperature-controlled facility, with a stop in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The new routes are in addition to the recent start of service to Dallas, Atlanta and Bogota, Colombia, as Air Canada Cargo continues to expand its freighter network.
Click here for more FreightWaves/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch.
Daily Break
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Posted
The Commandments for Seniors……
You don't need anger management. You need people to stop pissing you off.
Your people skills are just fine. It's your tolerance for idiots that needs work.
"On time" is when you get there.
Even duct tape can't fix stupid – but it sure does muffle the sound.
It would be wonderful if we could put ourselves in the dryer for ten minutes, then come out wrinkle-free...and three sizes smaller.
Lately you've noticed people your age are so much older than you.
"One for the road" means peeing before you leave the house.