Search for new regional air passenger service continues

A report to be used to attract new air passenger service to the region is expected to come out in December.

A firm working for Fort Frances, Kenora and Dryden is still gathering input.

Fort Frances Mayor Andrew Hallikas says the hope is to have a business case that can be forwarded to existing carriers to consider.

“And if we can get enough organizations, enough people saying, yes, this is important to us, here’s why we’re going to use an air carrier, they’ll be able to build a better business case,” says Hallikas.

An online survey is still up, while the firm is now conducting group sessions and one-on-one meetings.

Bearskin withdrew its air passenger services in the three communities in May 2024, citing a lack of demand.

Hallikas feels any new services will require government subsidies to be sustainable.

“I suspect, and this is just my personal feeling, that we’re going to need some assistance from both levels of government,” says Hallikas.

“The provincial government currently subsidizes bus service. Rail services are subsidized, and there’s a precedent for this.”

Hallikas notes that former services provided by Air Ontario and NorOntair were heavily subsidized, allowing them to serve several small northern Ontario communities.

“I think you can make the case that for small rural northern communities where an air carrier is essential to economic development and to healthcare, the government should step up and help out.”