Government touts airline's importance
The Yukon government has reaffirmed its "continuing support” for Air North and its recognition of the airline's importance to the economy.
The Yukon government has reaffirmed its "continuing support” for Air North and its recognition of the airline's importance to the economy.
"The continuing success of Air North is important for both the local economy and the health of a number of rural communities in Yukon,” Premier Darrell Pasloski said Monday.
"Air North provides a significant number of local jobs, supports other local businesses through its purchasing policies, and has made Whitehorse a hub of air transportation; all of which make the airline an important component of Yukon's strong, diversified economy.”
WestJet recently announced it will offer Whitehorse-Vancouver service starting in mid-May.
Air North has matched WestJet's introductory $99 one-way fare between the two cities.
Last Friday, Pasloski, Energy, Mines and Resources Minister Brad Cathers, Economic Development Minister Currie Dixon, Highways and Public Works Minister Wade Istchenko, and Tourism and Culture Minister Mike Nixon met with senior Air North officials and toured the airline's offices and hangars.
"Air North provides high-quality service on its routes to our gateway cities in Alberta and British Columbia, as well as within Yukon and other areas of the North,” Nixon said.
"In recent years, we have worked with Air North to promote Yukon as a tourist destination, and the results have been very positive for our local economy.”
The government uses Air North as a service provider for government travel and plans to continue to implement its internal Government Air Travel Policy, which lends itself to maximizing Air North's share of government travel.
Government travel is awarded based on factors such as ticket price, flight frequency, type of aircraft, marketing of the Yukon, provision of year-round service and connections to other flights.
"We have agreed to assist in facilitating a strategic partnership between Air North and other mainline air carriers,” Dixon said.
"Improving the ability for Air North passengers to both connect and transfer luggage with ongoing flights will improve overall service to Yukoners.”
See letter
Comments (7)
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roger on Feb 24, 2012 at 5:05 am
Francias, working for the new bus company, worked for the old one too. New one better pay, benefits, payed stats, and respect. Sometimes change is good, may have to get from somewhere else. Unfortunate but true. Air north is a different story, respects their costumers, and their employees.
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Francias Pillman on Feb 20, 2012 at 5:17 pm
I do know what I am talking about that's why I mentioned employment after the fact. My point still stands. It was all over money. And the exact same thing is happening now. I guess it's not the same when people are so hung up on their little Air North. Hypocrisy to the fullest.
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Joel on Feb 17, 2012 at 6:50 am
Competition was good as long as it was against Air Canada.
Here is the reality...if Air North is good, and I think they are, this is only good for the air travel sector. Westjet is flying 1 route for a few months a year and not touching any of the other Air North routes at all. People will still fly Air North because they want to fly Air North. Air Canada will still be here since they have the money to keep doing it...they still dwarf Westjet.
The other thing, why would either carrier want to partner with Air North since they are all competing for fliers?
Francias, I think you are talking about that Calgary company that formerly had the Yukon bus contract and lost it due to overpricing their bid. I hear they won it again because the Watson Lake company overpriced their bid. This would also be the same Calgary company that is employing Yukon drivers for their routes. Good to see you know what you are talking about though.
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Jeff Roe on Feb 16, 2012 at 9:40 am
Competition is Healthy and Air North will survive and thrive. I believe you may only see two carriers end up staying and I believe Air Canada will be the one that leaves! But whoever leaves Air North should strike up a partnership and feed into them, with a feeder Air North could double their business without a doubt.
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mark on Feb 16, 2012 at 2:13 am
my business will also support air north. The customer service is exceptional when you call air north and make reservations.
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Francias Pillman on Feb 15, 2012 at 10:59 am
Where were you people when that Calgary bus company took over a Watson Lake business? That's what I thought. Even if some of them got jobs with the new company, it don't matter. We lost a YUKON business. But I guess Air North is more of a concern.
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Frank Silva on Feb 15, 2012 at 8:58 am
I think it's great that Westjet is coming to Whitehorse! I also think Air North is a great airline and you would be hardpressed to find a Yukoner who doesn't appreciate Air North and who won't continue to use Air North when flying in the north or its destinations in Alberta or BC. On the other hand, I would not be sorry to see Westjet push out Air Canada after years of gouging Yukoners. B-bye Air Canada and your true lack of customer service!