International Flights A Keeper

Monday, February 20, 2006 04:00 AM

Transat Holidays says it is pleased with the latest results in its direct flight from Prince George to Mexico and, given the support, this city can be assured direct flights from Prince George will be made available again next year .

The Prince George seats for the remaining February flkights are sold out. There was (as of the weekend) 131 booked to travel on February 21st, while 132 have been booked for the February 28th flight.

There are three flights remaining in March on the 7th, 14th, and 21st, the extent of booking on these flights is not known.

Meantime a strong supporter of the direct flights, Sue Armstrong of Uniglobe Sunburst Travel says,” There is no doubt that other tour operators will have been looking at what has been happening out of Prince George and given the kind of support that Transat has received there could be expansion“.

With the new 737’s being used by West Jet (the contactor to Transat) direct flights from Prince George to a host of destinations, including Hawaii, are possible using the existing runway. In order to achieve long hauls, an extension of the runway would be necessary.

Todd Doherty, Business Development Officer at the PG Airport says 32% of the people taking international flights depart from Vancouver while 4% travel through Seattle in spite of an 11 hour drive. "If we can get these people to fly out of Prince George" Doherty says "we will see more international flights originating here." Doherty says "We were a training ground for sun spot charter trips, those charters have proven us right that there is a market out of Prince George and we hope to expand on it. "

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Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 04:00 AM in News by Ben Meisner

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Comments

Posted by: owl on February 20 2006 9:16 AM

If home ownership were cheaper in Vancouver and on the Island, and it took 5 minutes for the work commute, the City would be a real ghost town.

Would be difficult to create a weekend ghost town with 130 or so passengers per flight trying to get out. Even moving 10% of the population out would mean over 50 flights one way ....

Posted by: Palopu on February 20 2006 4:17 PM

Since this flight originates in Victoria, flys to Prince George, and then to Mexico. Reverse Mexico to Prince George then to Victoria, at best you could call it a convoluted direct flight from Victoria. It would be interesting to know how many people start on the flight from Victoria, and how many are loaded in Prince George. Is is at 50 50 split, with 60 people from Prince George???

Posted by: diplomat on February 20 2006 6:22 PM

Unfortunately we couldn't be on a flight this winter, but we will definitely be on one of them next year!

Maybe they can add a flight/hotel package to Cuba?

Posted by: spanky on February 20 2006 7:16 PM

partytime! mexico is calling. there will be no shortage of kahlua in town for a while.

later.........

Posted by: Marty on February 21 2006 4:59 PM

Already enjoyed the trip once in January, and looking forward to another week in March.
The direct flight is great and very nice people every where we went.
Anyone booked on the March 14th flight....see ya there.