Cape Breton asking PM for airport support
SYDNEY — As the end of commercial air service to Cape Breton fast approaches, Cape Bretoners are preparing an emotional video appeal that will be sent to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“They will be voicing their concerns over the loss of air service to the local airport,” said Carla Arsenault, president and CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership.
“That will be supported by an online petition, which we hope that the public will get behind and show their support for the airport.”
Arsenault said several stakeholders will be highlighted in the video to ensure a range of voices are heard.
“We are really looking for the public to show their support for the J.A. Douglas Sydney Airport,” Arsenault said.
“We are really hoping to have these initiatives rolled out in a few days. We are very close.”
Arsenault said the importance of maintaining air service to Cape Breton and supporting air travel in the region is crucial to the economy, international students and rotational workers.
“So many people rely on air travel into our community, we're going to do everything we can to support it.”
LOSS OF SERVICE
On Dec. 8, Air Canada announced flights between the Sydney airport and Toronto and Halifax will be cut indefinitely effective Jan. 11, leaving the airport without any scheduled service.
Westjet announced in October it will be indefinitely suspending operations in Atlantic Canada.
On Dec. 11, a Zoom meeting regarding the news was held that included Arsenault, Cape Breton Regional Municipality Mayor Amanda Mcdougall, deputy mayor Earlene Macmullin, Sydney airport CEO Mike Mackinnon and Kathleen Yurchesyn, CEO of the Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The meeting also included MP Mike Kelloway (Cape Breton-canso) and MP Jaime Battiste (Sydney-victoria).
It led to the formation of an advocacy group to support efforts to keep service at the airport.
“It has very much been a collective effort, and I think this is a testament to the importance of our airport in our community,” Arsenault said.
“Everyone believes our airport is crucial to our community, crucial to our economy.
"We all want to work together to ensure that we can do our best to support that effort. The important thing is the need for Cape Breton to get behind those efforts.”
In a story in the Cape Breton Post, Mcdougall spoke on the advocacy plan that was being formed.
“This is the time for our island to support one another and with a collective effort,” she said.
AIRPORT CEO
“It is meant for our community to have a way to relay directly to the prime minister their own personal stories regarding what the impact of losing our air service means to them, their families and/ or their businesses/organization," said Mackinnon.
Mackinnon expects to see the community rally and sign the petition that is being co-ordinated by the chamber and MPS.
“Hopefully, the strength of that support will push government to quicker action, and hopefully we will see air services back in the not-toodistant future.”
However, Mackinnon said, it is going to take time, and people should not assume airlines will flick a switch and services will come back as fast as they were lost.
“The recovery will be long and painfully slow,” he said.
“We are at a tipping point; decisions made now will significantly impact just how long and slow the recovery will be.”
Mackinnon said people are assuming the vaccine will save the day, but there's still lots of tunnel to get through before coming into the light at the end.
“The Public Health Agency of Canada (recently) made a statement that it expects that it will be September 2021 before everyone in Canada who wants a vaccine will get one,” he said.
“So, what happens in the meantime? How do we get air service back and build confidence in air travel?”
Mackinnon said the carriers need support, as well.
“Without federal aid for our airlines, small communities like ours will struggle to bring back air service and then maintain it,” he said.
“Airports are nothing without airlines.”
Mackinnon said combining the growing distribution of vaccines with widespread rapid testing at airports could be a way to start to build the confidence needed for an eventual return to more normal travel.