Atlantic Canada airport thread

[q12]

Originally Posted by dhottawa729

I think this is fantastic news especially as this is the first and only flight connection from Quebec City to the maritimes, thereby offering a different destination choice for travel rather than trying to repeat the same routes from each NB city competing for the same passenger pool. Quebec City opens of a lot of new onward connections, in addition to it being a great final destination in itself! I applaud Pascan for their faith in Saint John.

It's not even close to being the first flight connection from the Maritimes to Quebec City.

The most recent was a failed attempt by Flair Airlines between Halifax and Quebec City back in 2023. Before that Porter flew Halifax to Quebec City and failed.

https://www.accesswire.com/729151/Flair-Airlines-Announces-New-Service-from-Qubec-City

[q12]

There is no new non-stop flight from Saint John to Quebec City on Pascan.

It's just same plane service via Montreal (YHU).

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

The CTV article clearly stated, "Pascan Aviation has announced it is adding direct flights between Saint John, N.B., and Québec City."

So perhaps the Pascan website hasn't been updated yet to show this flight? Or did this article simply have a mistake?

Moreover, to quote from the YSJ press release, "As part of its commitment to refining its schedule and strengthening regional air access, Pascan will now offer direct service between Saint John and Québec City, adding more convenience for both leisure and business travellers."

I could see CTV making a mistake like this, but the Saint John Airport Authority itself?

Does staying on the plane technically make Saint John->Montreal->Quebec "direct service". If that's the case, I would have preferred them simply saying, "now offering improved service between Saint John and Québec City" or something like that.

However, based on the wording in the press release, I'm still expecting it to be a direct flight between Saint John and Québec City.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

The CTV article clearly stated, "Pascan Aviation has announced it is adding direct flights between Saint John, N.B., and Québec City."

So perhaps the Pascan website hasn't been updated yet to show this flight? Or did this article simply have a mistake?

Moreover, to quote from the YSJ press release, "As part of its commitment to refining its schedule and strengthening regional air access, Pascan will now offer direct service between Saint John and Québec City, adding more convenience for both leisure and business travellers."

I could see CTV making a mistake like this, but the Saint John Airport Authority itself?

Does staying on the plane technically make Saint John->Montreal->Quebec "direct service". If that's the case, I would have preferred them simply saying, "now offering improved service between Saint John and Québec City" or something like that.

However, based on the wording in the press release, I'm still expecting it to be a direct flight between Saint John and Québec City.

By airline standards this IS a "direct" flight (as opposed to "non stop")

Good summation from Google


"In airline terminology, a direct flight means the flight number remains the same from origin to destination, but the flight may include one or more stops along the way where the plane might land to refuel or pick up passengers, however, passengers do not change planes. A key distinction from a non-stop flight is that direct flights can have stops, while non-stop flights do not."

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by sailor734

By airline standards this IS a "direct" flight (as opposed to "non stop")

Good summation from Google


"In airline terminology, a direct flight means the flight number remains the same from origin to destination, but the flight may include one or more stops along the way where the plane might land to refuel or pick up passengers, however, passengers do not change planes. A key distinction from a non-stop flight is that direct flights can have stops, while non-stop flights do not."

wow,

Talk about the difference between the technical definition of a term and what most people consider a term to mean. 😅

I think that's some poor attention to detail in the CTV article for not clarifying that this direct flight to Quebec City will connect through Montreal.

Anyways, who knows, maybe we eventually will see a Montreal<->Quebec<->Saint John route added to the mix, or other options. If Flair and Porter both failed with their Quebec City <-> Halifax routes, perhaps Pascan and their smaller planes could turn Montreal<->Saint John<->Halifax and Quebec<->Saint John<->Halifax into more viable routes.


I haven't been on a direct flight that connects through another city in a very long time, like not since the 90s. I think these type of multi leg routes can certainly serve a purpose and fill niches in smaller markets like Atlantic Canada. Hope we see more of them, and not just with Pascan!

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

wow,

Talk about the difference between the technical definition of a term and what most people consider a term to mean. ������

I think that's some poor attention to detail in the CTV article for not clarifying that this direct flight to Quebec City will connect through Montreal.

Anyways, who knows, maybe we eventually will see a Montreal<->Quebec<->Saint John route added to the mix, or other options. If Flair and Porter both failed with their Quebec City <-> Halifax routes, perhaps Pascan and their smaller planes could turn Montreal<->Saint John<->Halifax and Quebec<->Saint John<->Halifax into more viable routes.


I haven't been on a direct flight that connects through another city in a very long time, like not since the 90s. I think these type of multi leg routes can certainly serve a purpose and fill niches in smaller markets like Atlantic Canada. Hope we see more of them, and not just with Pascan!

But by definition it is not connecting. That's when you get off of one aircraft and then get on another to continue your journey. A direct flight stopping at an intermediate airport used to also be called a "station stop" For example, when Porter was flying from YSJ to Toronto the flight was direct with a station stop in Ottawa. In most cases passengers travelling onwards don't get off the plane

I agree it is confusing for some but the term has been around since the start of commercial aviation.

[J81]

Originally Posted by Pugsley

Not really. Quebec City is Pascan's "Hub", so this is likely a way for them to repurpose the aircraft for other destinations through their Hub. So...a flight might go Halifax-YSJ-Quebec City, then on to an existing destination like Val d'or, Ottawa, Rouyn-Noranda, etc. Then back again. Even if it isn't full, they are likely in need to do this regularly to service the aircraft or swap crew, etc....if Quebec City is where their operations are based.

In my Three Cities, Two Airports model on its dedicated thread, I described this somewhat in terms of the positioning of YFC and YSJ in terms of being on the Western frontier of Atlantic Canada - making it ideal for this sort of "micro hub" for a smaller player like Pascan (or back in the day Porter).

Example: Two aircraft through Saint John could be as follows:


Ottawa-Saint John-Halifax
Quebec City-Saint John-St. John's

Thats what the flight to YHU is for. As it turns out this is not a new nonstop service but in fact a same plane service through YHU.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by J81

Thats what the flight to YHU is for. As it turns out this is not a new nonstop service but in fact a same plane service through YHU.

Saint John and Quebec City is not a natural city pairing.

The only driver for this service might be a minor amount of tourism. There would be virtually no governmental or business justification for this service. In any event, this "announcement" is a nothingburger if it is just a continuation of the whistlestop at YHU.

A service from Moncton to QC would make far more sense. There are linguistic similarities and family connections. The province of Quebec maintains an office in Moncton, and we also have a French consulate in Moncton. There are likely university connections between UdeM and Laval (certainly UdeM and Sherbrooke - medical school). I'm sure there could be some business and commercial traffic too, and, a lot more tourism traffic than to SJ.

[dhottawa729]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Saint John and Quebec City is not a natural city pairing.

The only driver for this service might be a minor amount of tourism. There would be virtually no governmental or business justification for this service. In any event, this "announcement" is a nothingburger if it is just a continuation of the whistlestop at YHU.

A service from Moncton to QC would make far more sense. There are linguistic similarities and family connections. The province of Quebec maintains an office in Moncton, and we also have a French consulate in Moncton. There are likely university connections between UdeM and Laval (certainly UdeM and Sherbrooke - medical school). I'm sure there could be some business and commercial traffic too, and, a lot more tourism traffic than to SJ.

QC and SJ both have massive refineries and associated industries so maybe there is a business case?

[nwalbert]

Originally Posted by dhottawa729

QC and SJ both have massive refineries and associated industries so maybe there is a business case?

It's exciting to see another direct destination added to the YSJ menu. While I would not have expected QC to be the next destination added, since it's the only direct in NB, maybe it will be able to draw enough traffic to work.

Or maybe they are feeling high from all the success of the YSJ routes to Montreal and Halifax.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by habs33

YQM expands food and beverage availability pre-security

https://www.919thebend.ca/20
25/07/22/125351/

Reposted from the main Moncton thread.

Shediac-based Adorable Chocolat will open later in July, and in the fall, the Connections Cafe Souvenir will begin serving locally roasted coffee, sandwiches and other snacks.

Both will be open 7 days a week.

“Expanding food and beverage options in our pre-security area has been a key priority for us, and we’re thrilled to share these exciting additions with the public”, said Courtney Burns, President and CEO of GMIAA.

Currently, travellers at YQM can enjoy Tim Hortons, which opens daily at 4:00 am, and Bistro Altitude, which opens daily at 10:00 am, but both are located post-security.

[MonctonRad]

ARRIVALS CYQM AUGUST 5TH

2377- Porter Airlines: Ottawa/Toronto City. Aug 5 - 12:29 AM
213 - Porter Airlines: Toronto Pearson, Aug 5 - 9:40 AM
1560 - Air Canada : Montreal, Aug 5 - 10:25 AM
680 - Air Canada: Toronto Pearson, Aug 5 - 11:24 AM
923 - PAL Airlines: Deer Lake/St. John's, Aug 5 - 2:55 PM
410 - WestJet: Edmonton, Aug 5 - 3:04 PM
2293 - Porter Airlines: Toronto City, Aug 5 - 4:13 PM
408 - WestJet: Calgary, Aug 5 - 5:09 PM
648 Air Canada: Toronto Pearson, Aug 5 - 5:14 PM
2373 - Porter Airlines: Ottawa/Toronto City, Aug 5 - 5:19 PM
924 - PAL Airlines: Mont Joli/Wabush, Aug 5 - 5:20 PM
1564 - Air Canada: Montreal. Aug 5 - 9:23 PM
650 - Air Canada: Toronto Pearson, Aug 5 - 11:54 PM

Typical summer schedule at YQM, Moncton:

13 flights

Air Canada -5 flights
Porter Airlines - 4 flights
WestJet - 2 flights
PAL Airlines - 2 flights

Destinations:

Toronto Pearson - four flights
Toronto City - three flights
Ottawa - two flights
Montreal - two flights
Calgary - one flight
Edmonton - one flight
St. John's - one flight
Deer Lake - one flight
Wabush - one flight
Mont Joli - one flight

Overall, not too bad, but, I see room for some improvement.

- Once YHU gets up and running, I could see Porter adding up to 2x daily flights to that destination.
- We used to have a direct Air Canada flight to Ottawa. I would like to see that return at some point, but, this might be at the expense of one of the two Porter flights at present
- I definitely think there is a need for a direct service to Quebec City from Moncton. I am not sure who the carrier would be however. Perhaps PASCAN, but that would mean establishing a station here in Moncton, and I don't know if they are interested in that. Perhaps we could be an intermediate stop on a service from QC to the Magdalen Islands.
- Given current political circumstances, there is no hope for a trans border service to Boston or New York. That ship may have sailed permanently.
- I remain intrigued however over the possibility of a summer season charter service to Paris from Moncton. With our local francophone population, I think this could be quite viable.

[bridgeoftea]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Typical summer schedule at YQM, Moncton:

13 flights

Air Canada -5 flights
Porter Airlines - 4 flights
WestJet - 2 flights
PAL Airlines - 2 flights

Destinations:

Toronto Pearson - four flights
Toronto City - three flights
Ottawa - two flights
Montreal - two flights
Calgary - one flight
Edmonton - one flight
St. John's - one flight
Deer Lake - one flight
Wabush - one flight
Mont Joli - one flight

Overall, not too bad, but, I see room for some improvement.

- Once YHU gets up and running, I could see Porter adding up to 2x daily flights to that destination.
- We used to have a direct Air Canada flight to Ottawa. I would like to see that return at some point, but, this might be at the expense of one of the two Porter flights at present
- I definitely think there is a need for a direct service to Quebec City from Moncton. I am not sure who the carrier would be however. Perhaps PASCAN, but that would mean establishing a station here in Moncton, and I don't know if they are interested in that. Perhaps we could be an intermediate stop on a service from QC to the Magdalen Islands.
- Given current political circumstances, there is no hope for a trans border service to Boston or New York. That ship may have sailed permanently.
- I remain intrigued however over the possibility of a summer season charter service to Paris from Moncton. With our local francophone population, I think this could be quite viable.

I can see a US flight coming back depending on where things shake out in the next 3-5 years. Especially with the continued growth of Moncton.

I thought the rumour around the Saint John - Quebec City flight was that it would stop in Moncton along the way. But maybe I'm misremembering that.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by bridgeoftea

I can see a US flight coming back depending on where things shake out in the next 3-5 years. Especially with the continued growth of Moncton.

I thought the rumour around the Saint John - Quebec City flight was that it would stop in Moncton along the way. But maybe I'm misremembering that.

I think the SJ-Quebec city flight is to originate in SJ with a stop in Montreal's YHU (Direct vs non stop)

[Freddypop]

Announcement regarding inter regional flights in the Maritimes from Halifax to Fredericton, Moncton, Charlottetown and Sydney via PAL

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/business/pol...ng-9m-on-maritime-flights-pilot-project/

[MonctonRad]

Provincial, federal governments spending $9M on Maritime flights pilot project
By Sean Mott, CTV News
Published: August 08, 2025 at 2:32PM EDT
https://www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/article/...ng-9m-on-maritime-flights-pilot-project/

The Maritime provincial governments and Ottawa are spending more than $9 million on a three-year pilot project that will offer daily flights to and from major cities in the region.

The project, which is also funded by regional airports, will see PAL Airlines – which offers flights around Eastern Canada and Quebec – provide daily connections between Halifax, Sydney, Charlottetown, Fredericton and Moncton for the next three years.

Halifax will serve as a hub in this project.

So, it sounds like PAL is going to step into the shoes of EPA and Air Nova, and become the regional airline for the Maritimes (in addition to Newfoundland).

All flights will connect through Halifax. I wonder what the flight frequency will be? For example, how many flights per day from Moncton to Halifax? It has better be at least 2x daily, to allow for ease of onwards connections.

This will make another PAL connection out of YQM (Deer Lake/St. John's, Mont Joli/Wabush and now Halifax).

[MonctonRad]

I just noticed that Saint John is not on this list (presumably because there is already a PASCAN flight from YSJ to YHZ).

IMHO, Saint John is getting shafted by this! PAL is a more stable regional airline as far as I'm concerned.

[q12]

Route map:

[bingun]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I just noticed that Saint John is not on this list (presumably because there is already a PASCAN flight from YSJ to YHZ).

IMHO, Saint John is getting shafted by this! PAL is a more stable regional airline as far as I'm concerned.

Tough news for YSJ. I am not surprised it’s not included but disappointing nonetheless.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by bingun

Tough news for YSJ. I am not surprised it’s not included but disappointing nonetheless.

Agree that SJ is getting the short end of the stick on this one. All these cities are getting government subsidized flights.....except Saint John. Seems pretty unequitable considering it's public money.

OTOH None of these routes are ones I could ever imagine wanting to fly so from a personal POV............. meh