Sue's Blog often refers to Iceland when drawing comparisons with Newfoundland and Labrador in various industry sectors. Today is another one of those days.
Yesterday to the delight of many people and business (for now) - Air Astraeus announced regular direct flights from Newfoundland and Labrador to the UK and return. The mighty Air Canada - did the Canadian thing not too long ago and virtually eliminated the service and moved that flight to Halifax.
So when Canada bails despite the undeniable viable route for business and pleasure travellers - Iceland steps to the plate. Yes this northern "country" of 300,000 people continues to thrive in all significant economic indicators - and has managed to put together a competitive and profitable route between NL and the UK.
Their interest in expanding tourism to our province is great news and smart on their behalf. The beauty of this land and the hospitality of her people continues to draw people from around the world. They come for the icebergs - the whales - the fresh air - clean water - incredible adventure tourism - and the friendliness of the population renowned worldwide.
The real question here is why Canada's namesake airline abandoned an economically successful service? Newfoundland and Labrador is the oil capital of Eastern Canada and industry travellers expressed their displeasure in the decision. Forcing people to go to Halifax or Nova Scotia may be great for the economy there - but it is not reflective of the practical service needed.
It is time for our local entrepreneurs - especially in the regional airline business to see if they can get some money action in this group.
Here for the record is the makeup of this airline group:
ASTRAEUS BECOMES PART OF NORTHERN TRAVEL GROUP
A new leisure group, Northern Travel Holding ("Northern Travel"), has been formed by the Icelandic investment groups, Fons (who will hold 44%), FL Group (34%) and Sund (22%).
Northern Travel has acquired the following travel related investments:
" Sterling Airlines (100%)
" Iceland Express (100%)
" Astraeus (51%)
" Ticket, the Swedish stock-market quoted travel agent (29.3%)
" Hekla Travel, the largest travel agent in Denmark (100%)
It remains ever questionable how industry in Canada works against the development of our rich province. Part of the problem is our patience with the less than fair treatment we get in this country - and part of it is the makeup of Canada's confederation. We must continue to move forward despite it - and around it - if necessary.
As for the airline sector - we must find a way to make Labrador travel affordable and competitive.
4 comments:
We all know the real reson why we get the short end of the stick in this province, Sue. We don't exist!
That aside, the new service will do nothing for those of us who use London Heathrow as a connection to other countries.
It will do nothing for those of us outside of St.John's who have to get there. For, instance, It will add another $500.00 plus to get from Gander to St. John's. Lord knows what it will add from Labrador.
What looks like a good thing will not be so good when the dust settles.
TY for that additional info - we must work on that too. This flight does go to Deer Lake too right?
In either case Labrador travel is prohibitive and it's not acceptable.
As for the destination - there must be some further discussion there.
We need a proper - convenient - and competitive service. That's where local investors should step to the plate.
Maybe the Bosrd of Trade can promote that to its members.
I had a hunch that a Canadian Boarder Services (CBSA) policy did the AC flight in. You see, the flight from Heathrow to St. John's continued on to Halifax (and Toronto if not mistaken). The CBSA policy implemented in 2004 had all passengers clear customs on their point of entry to Canada. What that caused was a complete disembarkment of the plane upon arrival in St. John's. They had to clear customs, claim baggage then recheck their baggage and reboard the plane in the same seat that they vacated an hour or so before. It was this extended delay on the tarmac in St. John's that caused frustration in other AC passengers continuing on from St. John's to Halifax coupled more importantly with AC's costs of having a transatlantic 777 or 767 jet sitting idle for better than an hour while all cargo were removed, the passengers cleared and everything reloaded for the haul to Halifax and Toronto.
If the old policy remained in force, we would not have seen this flight cancelled. Only those passengers destined for St. John's would disembark, and clear the flight would refuel and continue on after a short delay of 15-30 mins.
Sue, great to see you back! It's nice to read commentary by someone smart enough not to be duped by the devilish machinations of the politicos, or befuddled by the verbiage of those few self-proclaimed enlightened ones whose insight must come from sitting beneath a cronnick, since bo trees don't grow in Newfoundland.
Post a Comment