Direct Sydney-to-Halifax flights return for the first time in years
For the first time in years, a direct flight from Halifax touched down at the JD McCurdy Sydney Airport on Monday.
"It was definitely missed. It makes coming home easier to visit family,” said Tracey Boutilier, one of the passengers on the inaugural flights.
Monday marked not only the long-awaited return of Sydney-to-Halifax flights, but it was also the first day of operation in Cape Breton for Pascan Aviation, the Maritimes' newest airline.
"It's imperative that this works out,” said Sydney Airport Authority CEO Myles Tuttle.
Tuttle said a lot is at stake given the effort require to bring back flights between the two Nova Scotia cities. He noted tickets sales are going well, as far as he’s concerned.
"There's been some misrepresented content in the media that was driven by ticket sales in other provinces at other airports, but I can speak for Sydney to Halifax; ticket sales are exceeding Pascan's expectations,” Tuttle said.
Destination Cape Breton, which is launching Celtic Colours at the end of the week, also has a stake in the new flights.
"Well, it really opens up more opportunity for visitors to get here,” said Destination Cape Breton CEO Terry Smith. "Internationally, in particular. They can fly in to Halifax and then catch Pascan to Sydney, and it's just so much more convenient."
Flights between Sydney and Halifax are scheduled to run twice daily on weekdays and once on Saturdays. Stakeholders say the planes need to be full to be sustainable.
"I think with the proper promotions and everything, it definitely will,” Boutilier said. “I think a lot of people missed it, especially with a lot of people living out west like I do."
Tuttle said other airlines will closely watch how Pascan fares in the market.
"We just need passengers to demonstrate that they're serious about using this airport and flying out of Sydney, and the airlines will come,” Tuttle said.
With promotional sales now in place, some roundtrip flights between the two Nova Scotia cities currently cost a little more than $300.
For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
WATCH LIVE PM Trudeau announces massive cuts to Canada's immigration targets
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the government is slashing immigration targets as he admits the government did not get the balance right following the COVID-19 pandemic.
'Horrific': Four people dead after Tesla slams into pillar and catches fire on Lake Shore Boulevard in Toronto
Four people are dead and another is in hospital after a Tesla driving through downtown Toronto at a high rate of speed crashed into a guardrail and struck a concrete pillar on Lake Shore Boulevard.
Ontario family loses dream home after $38K deposit falls through
It's a dream for many Canadians, trying to save up enough money for a down payment on their very first home. That was also the dream for the Esmeralda family, a family of five with two dogs who currently live in a Scarborough apartment building.
W5 Investigates Heists, arson and a baseball bat brawl: Police allege organized crime fought over clothing donation bins
In part three of a four-part investigation into the seedy underbelly of the lucrative clothing donation bin industry, CTV W5's Jon Woodward and Joseph Loiero look into allegations that the industry is rife with organized crime activity.
This radioactive gas is a leading cause of lung cancer. Here's how to check if it's in your home
Radon is a radioactive gas found in nearly every Canadian home. A new research study is putting a renewed spotlight on the invisible, odourless element that is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in Canada.
Sask. RCMP hunt for armed suspects who shot construction worker, stole a truck
The RCMP is warning residents in northeast Saskatchewan to seek shelter and avoid picking up hitchhikers as police search for a group of armed and dangerous suspects.
'Came to Canada with big dreams': More than $80,000 raised for family of employee found dead in Halifax Walmart
Donations are quickly pouring in for the family of a young woman who was found dead inside a Walmart in Halifax last weekend.
NDP plan motion to push back against anti-abortion 'creep' from Conservatives
The NDP is looking to push back against what it calls a 'creep' of legislation, petitions and threats from the Conservatives aimed at reducing access to abortion.
How many Canadians are without a doctor? Just-released report outlines health-care situation
A new report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information says 83 per cent of adults in this country have a regular primary-care provider, but that still leaves 5.4 million adults without one.