Yarmouth airport to launch new air service to Portland on March 15

From the Yarmouth County Vanguard
The Yarmouth International Airport Corporation (YIAC) has announced it partnership with Twin Cities Air Service of Auburn, Maine, to offer regular air service between Yarmouth and Portland, Maine.

Beginning March 15, 2010, air travellers can take advantage of weekly non-stop flights between the two destinations.

The air service will offer scheduled flights each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Round-trip flights start at $400 per person, plus taxes.

The company will be flying a seven-passenger Cessna 402C.

Travellers to Portland will have the opportunity to make many connections into larger U.S. centres, the company says.(You can visit their website at www.flycharter.com).

“Restoring regular air service to Portland is great news for Yarmouth, the region and the province, and demonstrates our commitment to making Yarmouth International Airport a viable air transportation hub in southwestern Nova Scotia,” said David Rankin, executive director, Yarmouth International Airport Corporation (YIAC).

“After a slight interruption in service, we’ve found an excellent partner in Twin Cities Air Service, who share our view of the economic feasibility of the Yarmouth to Portland air route.”

“As a fixed-based, full-service air carrier, the Yarmouth-to-Portland route fits perfectly with our business model,” adds Nate Humphrey, president of Twin Cities Air Service. “Having been a charter company for years, customers will enjoy the benefit of our flexibility in scheduling flights. Passengers will also enjoy the efficiencies and comforts of our modern aircraft. We’re thrilled to be working with YIAC, and are certain this partnership will create even more opportunities going forward.”

Humphrey says the company actually had bid on the air service to Portland at the same time Quebec-based Starlink had, but Starlink had been the successful bidder.

He feels one reason why they will succeed where Starlink didn't is because the aircraft Starlink was using wasn't the right one for the service.

The Portland International Jetport also welcomes announcement of this new service.

“Regular air service between Yarmouth and Portland will appeal to both business and leisure passengers and strengthens the already strong connection between Nova Scotia and Maine,” notes Paul Bradbury, director of the Portland International Jetport. “Both the Jetport and Yarmouth International offer excellent facilities, competitive fares and convenience for travellers on both sides of the border.”

For further information on the Yarmouth to Portland air service, including flight schedules and fares, visit www.yarmouthairport.ca.

The air service comes on the heels of a failed attempt at air service last year. Starlink Aviation was flying between Portland and Yarmouth and Halifax and Yarmouth. The company suspended its air service at the start of December after burning through a fund meant to help it stay in operation. The fund was supposed to last five years but only lasted nine months.

PC caucus members heading to Ottawa to try and save ferry service for 2010

From the Yarmouth County Vanguard

Progressive Conservative caucus members are heading to Ottawa next week in what may be a last-ditch effort to ensure there is ferry service between Yarmouth and Maine during the 2010 tourist season.

Argyle MLA Chris d'Entremont says time is running out for the provincial government to provide Bay Ferries Ltd. with a subsidy that would allow the ferry to resume crossings between Yarmouth and Portland and Bar Harbour, Maine.

"The premier has stated that the decision to discontinue funding has been made and it is not going to be revisited," d'Entremont said Thursday. "We aretaking the initiative to work with the federal government to save hundreds of jobs and intervene before Nova Scotia loses millions of dollars in tourism revenue."

Cape Breton North MLA Cecil Clarke will lead the delegation and says the trip is a precursor to the opening of the 61st General Assembly in Nova Scotia on March 25. The MLAs are working with West Nova MP Greg Kerr to schedule meetings with available ministers on the future of the ferry.

The delegation will seek to find ways for the federal government to partner with the community, thus enabling the province to get the ferry service back.

"The Nova Scotia government is not only demonstrating a lack of leadership on this issue, it is unable to grasp the incredible financial loss to our province if this international link is discontinued," Clarke said. "Our goal is to urge our federal leaders to step in before it is too late."

Earlier this month, residents, retailers and community leaders from western Nova Scotia staged a protest at the Legislature. They asked the government to reconsider the decision, in light of the business the ferry service brings to the province each year.

When that failed to sway the premier, four municipalities and several businesses got together and raised about 50 per cent of the money needed to operate the ferry ruring the 2010 season.

The group has given Premier Dexter until Friday to respond to the offer, but d'Entremont said many of his Argyle constituents have given up hope.

"The premier has said nothing will change the decision, so the only thing we can do is make a formal plea to our federal ministers to act on behalf of Nova Scotians who will be devastated by this loss," d'Entremont said.

N.S. premier says no to latest proposal to save CAT high-speed ferry

From the Canadian Press

February 25, 2010 12:29 p.m.

HALIFAX, N.S. - The Nova Scotia government won't participate in a proposed deal to save high-speed ferry service to New England from the province's southwest coast.

Four municipalities in western Nova Scotia, with the backing of some businesses, say they're prepared to split the $6 million in subsidies needed to keep the CAT running this year.

But Premier Darrell Dexter says the province doesn't have the money and cabinet will not revisit the issue.

Members of the Conservative caucus are planning to travel to Ottawa next week to lobby the federal government for help.

Bay Ferries announced in December that it was going to end the service because the province was no longer willing to provide subsidies.

Local officials estimate the loss of the ferry will cost at least 500 tourism-related jobs.

News from ©The Canadian Press, 2010