Quebec-based airline ending flights between Halifax and Sydney airports
Pascan Aviation says in a news release that passenger volumes were too low to sustain the service
A Quebec-based airline that started flying between Halifax and Sydney last fall is ending those flights.
Pascan Aviation added the route in October, but in a news release, the company said the service will cease July 20.
"Despite the best efforts of our dedicated team and the warm welcome from airport staff and local partners, passenger volumes have remained below the levels required to support continued operations," the airline said.
Pascan, based in Saint-Hubert, Que., thanked the community, the McCurdy Sydney Airport team and passengers who bought tickets and said anyone who booked flights after July 20 will get a full refund.
When Pascan opened the route last October, politicians, business owners and tourism officials cheered, because it had been nearly two years since a carrier had offered flights between Halifax and Sydney.
In a release, Sydney airport authority CEO Myles Tuttle said staff will continue to work with airlines to improve service in the region.
"We are disappointed with Pascan's decision to exit the market, but we recognize that the level of utilization required to maintain this route was not met," he said.
Air Canada operates daily direct flights from the McCurdy Sydney Airport to Toronto and Montreal and WestJet flies twice a week from Sydney direct to Calgary.
Tuttle thanked Pascan for its efforts and said travel on other flights continues to grow.
"We are continuously seeing a steady increase in passenger traffic from Sydney year after year, reinforcing the strong demand for travel within our community," he said.
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