Flight reductions to have ‘negative effect’ on airport revenues

Air Canada flights out of Jack Garland Airport in North Bay are expected to drop this fall.

“Presently there’s one flight a day with Air Canada,” says Bryan Avery, Airport Manager. “As of November, there will be one flight a day, four days a week.”

Avery gave a presentation to a special council committee meeting on Monday and says the flights are being reduced as part of the airline’s winter schedule.

He says they’re expecting passenger numbers, which have been up 6% so far this year compared to last, to be impacted.

“We originally forecast that we could have a year that was slightly better than the previous however with Air Canada’s change pending in November and onwards we’re forecasting that we may not see as many passengers as last year,” says Avery.

He says there will be other impacts too.

“That reduction in service will have a negative effect on the airport’s operating revenues but also planned initiatives and potentially local employment with some of our service providers,” says Avery.

On a positive note, he says Bearskin Airlines has increased service several times a day throughout Northern Ontario, with a significant rise on some routes.

“As much as 40% between ourselves in North Bay and Sault Ste. Marie,” says Avery. “To date, Bearskin has added nearly 5,000 seats or capacity to their operations here in North Bay over the past five years.”

He notes Bearskin aircraft are typically 19 seats compared to other carriers operating with 78 seats.

Richard Coffin has been a reporter and news anchor on the radio in North Bay for over 25 years.  From premiers to people in the neighbourhood, he enjoys connecting with newsmakers and writing stories that matter to area listeners on a variety of topics including healthcare, education, politics, sports and more.