Quebec-based airline adds flights in North Bay

With Air Canada leaving, there is relief for travellers at North Bay's Jack Garland Airport: a new air service is arriving at the airport early next year.

A new air service will be taking off from the North Bay Jack Garland Airport early next year, offering a route from North Bay to Toronto, officials announced this week.

Propair, an airline service based in Rouyn-Noranda, Que., will help fill the void when Air Canada pulls out Jan. 30.

“It’s the start of a great partnership between North Bay and Propair,” Justin Lemieux, Propair general manager, told CTV News.

The airline said it worked as quickly as possible with the City of North Bay and the airport to launch its new route.

“We recognize how important air service is to our businesses, residents and visitors and continue to support the North Bay Jack Garland Airport and efforts to provide reliable and connected service,” said Mayor Peter Chirico.

Propair flights will begin Feb. 16 and the route will operate five days a week.

“Normally, an airline (starts) their route three to six months in advance,” Lemieux said.

“We decided to move quickly because we definitely think that the people of North Bay deserve to have this service.”

The Propair aircraft will seat up to 18 passengers. There will be a morning flight to Toronto and an evening flight to North Bay, eliminating the need for overnight stays in the GTA.

Backer said members of the business community or people who needed to get to Toronto for medical appointments would often have to stay in a hotel room at a cost of “$600, $700,” which was an unnecessary, extra expense.

Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli railed against Air Canada’s decision in October.

Describing it at the time as a “self-fulfilling prophecy,” Fedeli argued there was a need for a morning flight and an evening return flight for the system to work.

“Having two flights a day is essential for our community,” Fedeli said in a statement Thursday.

“Flights landing in Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport will be good for commuters within the city, and Toronto’s Pearson Airport is accessible by the UP Express train running every 15 minutes.”

The airline will also offer shuttle service between Billy Bishop and Toronto Pearson International Airport for travellers who need to connect with international flights.

“We welcome Propair to the riding and look forward to a stable business relationship that keeps northerners connected,” Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Pauline Rochefort wrote in an email to CTV News.

Propair recently announced new routes connecting Sudbury to Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City, that serve the same mission: improving air service to underserved Canadian regions.

“If we have the population and the businesses on board with our project working with us, we definitely think that quicker than we expect, we will need to add more frequency, more flights and hopefully more destinations,” Lemieux said.

Propair was founded in 1954 and for more than 70 years, the airline said it has played a vital role in connecting and supporting communities across Quebec -- and now Ontario.