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New Leaf Approved By CTA
Start-up travel company New Leaf will start booking flights again shortly after the Canadian Transportation Agency determined that it’s not an airline and therefore doesn’t need an air carrier licence.
Passengers are unlikely to be able to tell the difference between New
The decision, posted by the CTA on Thursday, clarifies the use of third-party carriers by companies offering air travel for sale and New Leaf naturally applauded the decision.
“We’ve read through the determination by the Canadian Transportation Agency and we are pleased that it has fulfilled its mandate to bring regulatory clarity to the marketplace – this is a victory for Canadian travellers,” said NewLeaf Chief Executive Officer Jim Young. “The introduction of the distinctive term ‘reseller’ in airline regulation not only clarifies the role of NewLeaf in the travel marketplace, but also allows for innovation and consumer choice, while maintaining consumer protections.”
The company began taking bookings on routes between seven secondary Canadian airports in January but had to stop and refund the fares after the CTA said it needed to determine if New Leaf was actually an airline and found that it isn’t.
“NewLeaf, should it proceed with its proposed business model, would not operate an air service and would not be required to hold an air licence,” the decision said.
The company will offer seats on Flair-operated flights on an ultra low cost model, charging for everything beyond an online-booked economy class seat and seatbelt. The bare-bones fares will start at $89 one way.
Jet Museum Lands Hawker Hunter
The London Jet Aircraft Museum in London, Ontario will soon take delivery of an ex-RAF Hunter Hawker fighter-bomber.
Museum volunteers simon Pont, his wife Laura and Graham Rawlinson bought the recently-retired aircraft at an auction in England.
The private owner of the aircraft went into receivership, triggering the auction.
The aircraft last flew in 2014 and was going through its annual
inspection when the bailiffs arrived. Pont told the London Free Press the aircraft should be airworthy again within two years. It’s a two-seat trainer and that was part of the appeal.
“We want to bring that aircraft to the museum and have the opportunity to fly in it with more than just the pilot,” Pont told the Free Press.
He didn’t say how much they paid for the aircraft.
The plane was always used as a trainer and is in original RAF condition.
The aircraft will be on display at the London Air Show Sept. 17-18.
Pond Panned Near Airport
Officials at one of Manitoba’s busiest general aviation airports say a new housing development could become a safety hazard.
The development, about 5.6 kilometres north of St. Andrews Airport, just north of Winnipeg, will include an eight-acre retention pond to control flooding of the low-lying property.
The fear is the pond will become a habitat for birds that could get interfere with air traffic.
“It baits the birds to that area, and particularly in the configuration that they have — the slopes and the location — it would attract feeding and … nesting for both Canada geese and ring-billed gulls, which are a couple of the more dangerous species for aircraft because of the size and the speed that they travel at,” Craig Skonberg, the airport’s executive director, told the CBC last week.
The airport officials have asked that the slope and shoreline characteristics of the pond be altered to make it less attractive to birds but the developers have not reacted to those suggestions Skonberg told the CBC.
Porter Partners With Northern Lights
Porter Airlines has signed on as a major sponsor for the Northern Light Award Foundation and its mission to recognize the achievments of female aviation professionals.
The sponsorship coincides with launch of the airline’s Women Soar at Porter program aimed at ceating gender equality in all career paths at Porter.
“Aviation is for anyone willing to work hard and with a passion for what they do,” said Robert Deluce, President and CEO of Porter Airlines. “The Northern Lights Award Foundation promotes values that are consistent with Porter’s own efforts to inspire women to pursue aviation careers.”
NLAF President Anna Pangrazzi said the alliance is a natural for the two organizations and will help the awards foundation grow.
I am thrilled that Porter Airlines has partnered with us, to help us showcase the amazing contributions that women are making to the industry and to inspire other women to consider careers in aviation or aerospace,” said Pangrazzi. “This is a significant win for the foundation and reflects our growth on a national stage.”