New aviation services operator at airport
Scott Stewart holds out hope of attracting regular passenger service to the airport
Peterborough Airport’s new aviation service operator is up and running.
Stewart Aviation took over aeronautical services, such as refuelling and de-icing, on Oct. 1.
It’s owned by Scott Stewart and his sister Dana Empey, who also own Stewart Travel.
Stewart Travel has been offering charter plane trips for years from Peterborough Airport to locations such as New York City, Chicago and New Orleans.
“The cool part is we were already very involved in everything that was non-airside, through our tours and our 737s, this now gives us the opportunity to assist everything on airside,” said Stewart.
Stewart Aviation replaced Complete Aviation Services, which provided aeronautical services at the airport since 1987.
The brother and sister team took on Complete Aviation Services’ staff, keeping nine people employed, as well as hiring a full-time manager.
They also kept the same pricing as the former company.
In addition, Stewart Aviation enhanced the level of service offered at the airport, such as adding red-carpet treatment for every jet that comes in.
The company will also set up car rentals, book hotels for pilots and crew, provide catering, and manage freight handling, for example.
The city bought two buildings at the airport from Complete Aviation Services, and is leasing one to Stewart Aviation, which signed a 20-year leased.
In the next three years, though, Stewart said they plan to add another building to the property.
“The hopes are that we’ll be able to enhance services enough
that we’ll be able to build an entirely new building.”
Stewart Aviation’s objective is to attract the West Jets and Air Canadas of the world to Peterborough, Stewart said.
“Our ultimate goal is to prove this is a passenger-service airport and a community that will support it.”
Trent Gervais, airport manager, said the enhanced services offered by Stewart Aviation are part of the strategic plan for the airport in preparation to take on business that would’ve normally gone to Pearson Airport in Toronto.
“This is a really important piece of the puzzle,” Gervais said.