Clear the Air
Sounds like there will be some Jazz going on over at the Island Airport. Yes, despite Air Canada getting evicted around March this year, looks like Jazz hashed out a deal allowing them to break the monopoly on the Island.
I’ve never been a fan of Island Airport as far as commuter air traffic is concerned. It serves it’s purpose a smaller airport just as it is. Why spend more there? Taxpayers have already paid and continue to pay for a “real” International Airport. The upgrades already signed off amount to $4 Billion!
The battle to expend, develop and conquer the Island Airport has been going on for years. The reality is that the airport much like the SKYDOME is a take over target (Yes SKY-DOME that’s what its REALLY called, “WE” named it.) The Island is regulated by and for the PUBLIC domain. I seem to remember the last Mayoral election was decided on whether Airport Expansion was to occur and the candidate standing against the plan won.
Round 2 ?: Another election for Mayor and things are heating up. Hmm will we have another situation where we get to pay twice for something we already own? Just hope that all this Island Air hype dies a horrible death. I’m not the only one who wants to able to CHILL on the waterfront and not hear jets all afternoon.
The muscle behind the push for more Toronto Island flights and a bridge?
Robert Deluce and Porter Airlines…
Porter’s latest bid for traffic
It would be sad/stupid if the Island Airport ramp up does happen. Kind of a waste of all that money to build lakefront condos and upgrade the waterfront…
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I wonder what will the Islanders have to try and fight this again… and I wonder what they think about a bridge too?
I also must admit I didn’t think about the added noise pollution. Did you happen to read about what size jets will be allowed (or attempted) to fly out of there?
Stephen (and swoon one one) - No jets are proposed to be operated into TCCA. They are banned by the Tripartite Agreement with the exception of medevac flights. At 4,000ft the main runway is not long enough for most jets anyway.
Here’s the aircraft Porter (www.flyporter.com) propose to operate - built in Toronto: http://www.q400.com
Note Bombardier’s figures for 70 seats/500 nautical miles - despite what Community AIR claim the Q400 will be able to take off and land.
I checked out the site, (http://www.q400.com) and this smaller, (Q for Quiet - internally speaking only) plane is meant to service small metro areas and so isn’t supposed to take over any huge part of Pearson’s load..
Anyway, thanks for that info and the links Mark!
Jets or prop-planes the majority of Toronto residents DON’T support Island Airport expansion. Don’t think the tide has turned since the last (mayoral) election.
swoononeone
I bet you if you poll Torontonians and ask them what they’re *really* worried about, the Island airport is pretty far down the list - and I say that about supporters and opponents.
stephen
you’re right, the Island isn’t actually meant to relieve Pearson long term, but primarily supports business traffic doing day trips to/from Ottawa. Long term relief of Pearson is what the Pickering project’s for.
That’s the project I wish would be avoided, since it will pave over a huge stretch of green farmland. The Island airport has been the way it is since the 30s.