The Bathurst Regional Airport is experiencing a revitalization as it has finalized an agreement with a new airline, following Air Canada’s announcement to discontinue its services to the small airport.
Propair, a carrier located in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, will commence operations from Bathurst on January 31, backed by up to $500,000 in provincial funding.
Denis Roy, president of the Northern New Brunswick Airport Authority, stated, “Our goal is to ensure that we offer our passengers and the northern region of the province a reliable service that includes daily flights and the flexibility they require.”
Initial services will include seven weekly flights from Bathurst to Montreal, with four being direct flights and the remaining three making a stop in Quebec City.
Flight frequency is expected to rise to 10 per week shortly, and by mid-March, it will increase to 14 flights weekly. Roy mentioned that there is a “strong intention” to expand to 21 flights per week by June.
Propair, based in Quebec, plans to gradually increase its flight offerings from Bathurst over the upcoming months. (Victoria Walton/CBC)
The flights will also provide direct links to Ottawa, Sudbury, and Rouyn-Noranda, as stated in a press release from the provincial government.
Additionally, the release indicated that one-way ticket prices are anticipated to range from approximately $300 to $350.
Propair is set to provide seven flights weekly from Bathurst to Montreal, as Air Canada prepares to cease operations at the northern New Brunswick airport.
Roy mentioned that Bathurst was among several small regional airports in Canada that Air Canada informed in September about its decision to cease operations there.
Roy emphasized that the issue was not a lack of demand, as flights from Bathurst frequently accommodated over 60 passengers on planes designed for 70, but rather Air Canada’s decision to adopt a different approach.
He expressed that receiving notice from Air Canada was “not a pleasant experience,” and that the authority engaged in numerous discussions with various airlines before being approached by Propair.
Justin Lemieux, the general manager of Propair, indicated that with the initial provincial funding of $500,000, the company can commit to servicing Bathurst for a minimum of one year.
Justin Lemieux, general manager of Propair, believes the airline is well-suited for Bathurst. (Victoria Walton/CBC)
If there is sufficient demand, Lemieux stated, “we would be more than willing to increase flight frequencies and maintain our presence for many years.”
The flight duration from Bathurst to Montreal will be approximately an hour and a half, utilizing an 18-seat Beechcraft 1900 aircraft.
Lemieux noted that Propair, which offers commercial, charter, and medical evacuation services for rural and northern Quebec, recognizes the importance of regional air access.
“I believe we are the ideal choice for this area,” he remarked.
Acadie-Bathurst MP Serge Cormier stated that the COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on the airport due to flight reductions. However, he highlighted that a government-funded study demonstrated the airport’s potential for profitability.
“It is feasible to operate a business here at the Bathurst airport… Without an airport, this region cannot prosper economically,” Cormier asserted.
“This is what we aim for, right? A reliable service that will be consistently available and trusted by the community.”