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August 24, 2011

Air Access Strategy Taking Off with Support from Provincial Government

Gander and St. John’s International Airport Authorities and Air Canada are partnering with the Provincial Government to avail of marketing rebates under the Air Access Development Program. The program is a key component of Taking Flight: An Air Access Strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador, released by the Provincial Government in October 2010.

The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Business, was joined by the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs and MHA for Gander, for today’s announcements. Representatives from the Gander and St. John’s International Airport Authorities also participated in today’s event.

“The investments we are making today will help to increase air capacity, encourage new routes and increase demand for services,” said Minister Dalley. “In keeping with the goals of the strategy, we remain focused on working with airports and airlines to attract new intra-provincial, inter-provincial, trans-border and international flights to Newfoundland and Labrador.”

Gander International Airport Authority will receive up to $49,025 and St. John’s International Airport Authority will receive up to $83,000 in rebates from the Airport Authority Business Development Rebate Program to help promote route opportunities and airport capabilities to the airline industry. Air Canada will also receive rebates under the Airline Route Promotion and Advertising Rebate Program to promote its non-stop Gander to Toronto route and its St. John’s to London, England, route. The airline rebates will be allocated over three years in an effort to increase demand, with the goal of extending air service periods to meet this demand.

“Gander is an important provincial hub for air transportation in our province,” said Minister O’Brien. “Our government is delivering on its long-term commitment to enhance air service capacity in Newfoundland and Labrador.”

The air access strategy is a long-term strategy that follows a demand-based approach. The focus of the strategy is to work with airlines and airports to build capacity for newly introduced routes to, from, and within the province.

“This investment by the Provincial Government will help us boost efforts to introduce new routes, increase seat capacity and establish timely connections to key travel markets,” said Gary Vey, President and Chief Executive Officer of Gander International Airport Authority. “We certainly commend government for adopting a progressive and supportive approach, recognizing that enhanced air access ultimately benefits all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”

President and Chief Executive Officer of the St. John’s International Airport Authority, Keith Collins, was in Gander today for the announcement.

“We appreciate the province’s partnership and support of our continuous air service development initiatives to increase air access at our airport, the province’s premier gateway,” said Mr. Collins. “Over the last 10 years we have been successful in increasing the available airline seat capacity by 25 per cent, but even more capacity is required to meet the growing demand. The cost-share arrangement with the province will allow us to increase our marketing initiatives to attract more airlines that will offer service to new destinations that meet the needs of the travelling public."

The Department of Business continues to play a key leadership role in implementing the air access strategy forming partnerships and alliances with airlines, airport authorities and the business community.

“We are pleased to be able to work with the Provincial Government and local authorities on cost sharing marketing campaigns to promote air travel to and from Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Craig Landry, Air Canada’s Vice President of Marketing. “While Air Canada has proudly served Newfoundland and Labrador with safe and reliable air transportation since 1942, we are equally proud of new services launched in response to a growing market, such as non-stop flights between St. John’s and London, England, and direct Gander to Toronto service linking Gander directly to Air Canada’s largest international hub.”

Taking Flight: An Air Access Strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador also identified the need to establish a Private Industry Advisory Committee consisting of representatives of regional airports, business associations and other key stakeholder groups. Minister Dalley announced the establishment of the committee today and the appointment of the following people for a three-year term:

Jamie Schwartz              Deer Lake Regional Airport Authority
Reg Wright                    Gander International Airport Authority
Paul Snelgrove               Goose Bay Airport Corporation
Dennis Bruce                 Stephenville Airport Corporation
Marie Manning                St. John’s International Airport Authority
Carol-Ann Gilliard            Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador
Mayor Harry Hallett         Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador
Marilyn Butland               Newfoundland and Labrador Business Coalition
Darryl Shiwak                 Nunatsiavut Government

“Members of the Private Industry Air Access Advisory Committee represent stakeholders that have direct involvement in the provincial air transportation industry and, will therefore, provide valuable input on air access initiatives,” said Minister Dalley. “The committee will be a useful source of ongoing information and guidance as the strategy is implemented.”

Taking Flight: An Air Access Strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador was launched in October 2010. The strategy can be found at www.business.gov.nl.ca. Airport authorities and airlines are encouraged to consult with the Department of Business to determine eligibility for assistance under the Air Access Development Programs.

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Media contacts:

Carol Ann Carter
Director of Communications
Department of Business
709-729-7628, 631-9505
carolanncarter@gov.nl.ca

 
Paula Norman
Executive Assistant to the
Honourable Kevin O’Brien
MHA for Gander
709-729-3053
paulamnorman@gov.nl.ca
Isabelle Arthur
Manager Media Relations
Quebec and Eastern Canada
Communications, Air Canada
514-422-5788
isabelle.arthur@aircanada.ca
 
Marie Manning
Director of Marketing and
Community Relations
St. John’s International Airport
709-758-8564
mmanning@stjohnsairport.com
 
Gary Vey
President and CEO
Gander International Airport Authority
709-256-6668
veyg@giaa.nf.ca
 

BACKGROUNDER
Members Appointed to Private Industry Air Access Advisory Committee

Jamie Schwartz
Mr. Schwartz is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Deer Lake Regional Airport Authority. He is responsible for the overall management, administration and operation of the airport. He has more than 26 combined years of experience in the public and non-profit sectors and is Past President of the Atlantic Canada Airports Association.

Reg Wright
Mr. Wright is the Director of Marketing and Communications for Gander International Airport Authority. He is a public relations and business development professional with 15 years of communications experience. He is responsible for implementation of the marketing components of the airport authorities business plan. Mr. Wright is also a Director with the Central Destination Marketing Organization.

Paul Snelgrove
Mr. Snelgrove is Chair of Goose Bay Airport Corporation. He owns several food distribution, retail and property management entities. He is a past representative on Goose Bay Alternative Use Study and Goose Bay Development committees. Mr. Snelgrove is also a private airplane pilot.

Dennis Bruce
Mr. Bruce is a Director of the Stephenville Airport Corporation and Senior Vice President and Officer of HDR Corporation. He has conducted economic impact assessments for several airports including Toronto Pearson International and he has also managed risk assessment exercises for several of Canada’s largest airports.

Marie Manning
Ms. Manning is the Director of Marketing and Community Relations for St. John’s International Airport Authority (SJIAA). Ms. Manning has 22 years of experience in marketing and communications with seven of these years in the airport industry. She is responsible for the development and implementation of the SJIAA Strategic Marketing, Air Service, Communications, and Business Development plans as well as managing the SJIAA marketing team.

Carol-Ann Gilliard
As Chief Executive Officer of Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador, Ms. Gilliard directs and executes all activities of the tourism association. She has considerable experience in strategic tourism planning and policy analysis and she is currently the Chair of the Atlantic Canada Tourism Industry Association caucus.

Harry Hallett
Mr. Hallett is President of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador and currently the Mayor of Leading Tickles. Mayor Hallett has management experience in the fishing industry and extensive experience on regional economic development, social and municipal management committees.

Marilyn Butland
Ms. Butland is Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Business Coalition and Owner and Principal Consultant of Marilyn Butland Communications. She consults executive leaders of public agencies, companies and non-profit organizations on how best to achieve business objectives using a relationship-building approach. Ms. Butland has extensive experience in public relations, advertising, market research and event management.

Darryl Shiwak
Mr. Shiwak is First Minister with the Nunatsiavut Government and Ordinary Member for Rigolet. He is a former Minister of Education and Economic Development for the Nunatsiavut Government. Minister Shiwak has considerable experience in teaching, tourism and recreation, including a two year contract with Voisey Bay Nickel Company.

2011 08 24                                         1:10 p.m.

 
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