Regional air service has returned to the Maritimes with the expansion of Pascan Aviation.
The Quebec-based company has launched a weekday service between Saint John, Halifax, and Bathurst.
“After 12 months of very hard strenuous work, finally the Maritimes has its wings back,” said Julian Roberts, president and CEO of Pascan.
The first flight took place on Monday morning, with celebrations at the airports in Saint John and Halifax.
Speaking with our newsroom in Halifax, Roberts said this was an important route for his company.
“We’re a regional airline, we’re all about developing regional aviation, regional connections, and the Maritimes was without a regional airline,” he said.
Air Canada used to offer a regional route between Saint John and Halifax but it was cancelled during the pandemic.
Officials previously told our newsroom that the route used to carry around 24,000 passengers per year.
Sandy Ross, president and CEO of the Saint John Airport, said this is a big day for the entire region.
“A lot of folks who have kids in school in Halifax or in Saint John have been talking about how important it is. The business community has indicated that it’s very important for them,” said Ross.
Halifax Mayor Mike Savage agreed, noting his city’s airport has been working hard to increase air access.
“I think it’s going to open up business and also travel opportunities, but it’s just for us to be more connected with our friends across Maritime Canada,” he said.
Regional air service has returned to the Maritimes with Pascan Aviation launching a new route between Bathurst, Saint John and Halifax.
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) September 9, 2024
"Finally, the Maritimes has its wings back," said Pascan President Julian Roberts. pic.twitter.com/6FQFbbAJ4V
The new service is also a lifeline for Bathurst, which has seen regular service dwindle from three flights a day pre-pandemic to four flights per week now.
Bathurst Mayor Kim Chamberlain flew down to Halifax on the inaugural flight and said they have been hearing a lot of positive feedback from the community.
“I think it’s a win-win for everybody, especially for the business people within the community,” said Chamberlain, adding she hopes the route will lead to even more flights at the airport.
The route currently offers twice-daily return service between Saint John and Halifax, and a daily return flight between Bathurst and Halifax via Saint John.
When it comes to passenger numbers, Roberts said they are low at this point, but he expects the route will be at a break-even point within a couple of months.
“Right now, we’re seeing around nine, 10, 11 or 12 passengers, but we expect that’ll get up in the 20s within a month or two,” he said.
“The community has been burned a couple of times with airlines in and out. Once they see how we operate, our stability, our on-time performance, word-of-mouth will go around and people will start to use the service.”
Pascan also announced in late August that it would be launching a new Sydney-to-Halifax starting Oct. 7.
