Air Canada ending flights between Sydney and Halifax
It was a little more than two months ago, an Air Canada flight from Halifax touched the tarmac in Sydney, marking the return of daily service between the two Nova Scotia cities.
In January, that flight will be suspended indefinitely.
“They weren't seeing enough uptake on the advanced bookings and they got a hold of us on Friday past to let us know that was their decision,” says Mike MacKinnon, CEO of the J.A. Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport.
MacKinnon says Air Canada indicated to him earlier this year that there would be changes to some of the Atlantic Canadian routes in 2022.
“Because we had some advance notice, we weren't surprised. The recovery has been slow honestly. It's very busy in the summer months but in the winter it's been steady, but slow. We're at about 50 per cent of our passenger traffic,” he says.
For decades, the flight between Halifax and Sydney has been offered by the major airline.
In Moncton and Saint John there has been no change in service and a spokesperson says flights are doing well.
“I think it's important for our community to understand that we need to use our airport in order to maintain its viability,” says Kathleen Yurchesyn, chief executive officer at Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce.
WestJet continues to offer service to Halifax and Air Canada will operate daily flights to Toronto and Montreal from Sydney.
“I think this is a sign of growth to be able to fly from our small regional airport to Toronto and Montreal on a daily basis,” says Yurchesyn.
Mackinnon says one positive thing is travellers will still be able to connect to the rest of the country and beyond.
“The data shows that about 90 per cent of the passengers who fly out of Sydney are travelling to destinations that are well served by connecting through Montreal or Toronto, whether it's somewhere in Canada or internationally,” he says.
The last Air Canada flight from Sydney to Halifax will be January 10.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
Dozens of U.S. deaths reveal risks of injecting sedatives into people restrained by police
The practice of giving sedatives to people detained by police has spread quietly across the U.S. over the last 15 years, built on questionable science and backed by police-aligned experts, an investigation led by The Associated Press has found.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.