BY MARVIN YOUDEN
SPECIAL TO THE GEORGIAN
Local officials greeted with pleasure the announcement last week that Provincial Airlines (PAL) will be adding a new service to Stephenville airport. The announcement was made during a customer appreciation luncheon in Stephenville. The new service allows local people to travel to St. John’s early in the morning and return in the evening. The plane will overnight at Stephenville airport.
Calvin Ash, director of commercial operations with PAL, said the new flight with a 6:45 a.m. departure time, will get local people into St. John’s early enough to avail of a range of options for flights elsewhere. The return flight leaves the capital city at 5:30 p.m. daily. In response to a question from a customer, Mr. Ash said the service will be good for workers traveling to and from Alberta.
“There’s also a lot of activity in Labrador,” he said, “We offer good connections to Goose Bay and Labrador West.”
Interviewed following the luncheon, Connie Fillier, director of sales with PAL, pointed out the need for local people to support the service to ensure its longevity. “We’ve made a commitment to this airport and we plan to stay,” she said.
Bob Byrnes, chamber of commerce vice-chairman and a longtime advocate for Stephenville airport, expressed the hope that people will support the service. “The good thing about this is that you can fly to St. John’s in the morning, do a day’s business and fly back at night. It’s very convenient”
Airport Manager Larry Smith pointed out that having an airline regularly serving the area augers well when officials look for capital works financing through the ACAP program. “Having Provincial Airlines here with a regular service makes the airport more attractive,” he said.
Everett Davis, a Rotarian who attended the luncheon, welcomed the announcement as good news. He pointed out that any improvement to the airport in the way of extra flights is going to benefit the community. “We have been battling for years to keep our airport alive. We have great capability with our long runways and good weather. So it makes sense to keep it open.”
Mayor Tom O’Brien commented during the regular council meeting that Provincial Airlines “have stuck by Stephenville through the god and the bad.” He said the new flight increases the commitment to Stephenville airport. “It is very positive move,” he added.
The new service went into effect August 29.
