Getting a flight in an out of Greater Sudbury Airport just keeps getting better.
Last year Bob Johnston, CEO for the Greater Sudbury Airport, shared the strategic goals for the future growth of the airport. The first goal was to firstly improve the scheduled air travel services.
That meant competitive fares and increase in flight frequency and network destinations.
“Passenger service has increased and passenger numbers have increased dramatically. We are growing,” said Terra Glabb, Director of business development, Greater Sudbury Airport.
“In 2011 we had 211,181 passengers through the airport — a 17% increase from 2010.”
They credit the increase to the lower priced airfares, nicer aircraft and flying is simply becoming a better option to driving.
Air Canada added an express service last fall offering five return flights daily. Their new express service is with a Q400 aircraft that boasts of quiet comfort.
While Porter Airlines now offers four daily return flights to Toronto’s Billy Bishop airport with connections to domestic and international flights. Business travel has improved immensely accommodating same day service between Sudbury and Toronto.
Weekend service has also been improved with Porter Airlines adding a second Saturday round trip this past January and a third Sunday flight starting April 22.
Bearskin Airlines has 14 daily flights and introduced the Saab340 this past fall which accommodates 34 passengers with stand-up cabin, lavatory, leather seats and refreshments.
“We are expecting another 20% increase in passenger numbers,” said Glabb.
In addition to the increased flight service the Greater Sudbury Airport had set a goal to increase their use of land north of the terminal.
With more than a 1,000 acres of land to work with there is substantial potential for major growth.
“We have five new hangars that went up at the airport this year,” said Glabb. Part of that development has been to bring in the services of water, sewer and hydro.
“The airport is a great place especially for private pilots they can establish their business here. Most businesses are generally aviation based. We have a couple of doctors who fly for business and pleasure, engineering companies and construction companies.
“We also have Geotech Aviation Ltd. who provide geophysical airborne surveys and employ about 30 people and they are expanding dramatically.”
In 2011, the Discovery Aviation Academy was launched offering private commercial pilot licenses. The academy offers a two-year full-time program designed to graduate commercial pilots who have the experience and real-world exposure to make them employable in the Canadian aviation industry.
Cambrian College has also formed a partnership with Discovery Aviation and is offering the Business Fundamentals Certificate program. Students have the opportunity to pursue business studies and commercial flight training at the same time. The new program begins this fall with 25 students already registered.
“This spring we will be opening up a $3.3-million land development project with more buildings and hangars going up this year,” said Glabb.
With all this growth, the coming year is expected to be as successful as the past one with increased passenger numbers and business activity.
Source: http://www.thesudburystar.com
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