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.