Service Options Logic Q Airline and Airport Options Q Airport Fare Comparisons Q Buffalo and Billy Bishop Airports Q Tour Operators Q Engagement Q Next Steps
officials Q Ground transportation owners Q Attraction operators Q Community officials Q Airport management Q Consumer survey Q Extensive research Q Data from the Buffalo International Niagara Airport (BUF) Q US, Canadian and Niagara travel data
commercial air service to YCM Q The primary source of these new YCM passengers are currently using the BUF Q This is the easiest target market to initiate service and expand flights to YCM. Q These visitors tour numerous attractions, some visit other communities in the Ontario region but they all visit Niagara Q A substantial number of the these visitors are on tour operator packages
to Niagara who fly to Q Buffalo International Q Toronto Pearson Q Billy Bishop Q Chicago, New York and Washington DC are the best opportunities for YCM to have non-stop air service Q Initially the majority of these passengers are not incremental visitors to the Niagara region
would use the YCM Airport i.e. Q Canadians traveling to the US and international locations Q US and foreign free individual travelers (FIT) visiting the Niagara region Q Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport (YTZ) is an opportunity however it is: Q More complex to develop Q Requires cooperation Porter Air Q Requires a smaller regional operator
that were considered for service to YCM Q Service to BUF Q Aircraft type available in the region Q Customs and immigration facilities Q Service to Canada Q Hub, focus or spoke airport
current available published fares for BUF, YTZ and YYZ Q The fares are quoted with a 7, 21 and 60 day advance purchase Q Canadian taxes and airport fees can put YCM flights at a disadvantage
passenger traffic during 2008-09 Q Passenger data (approximate and will vary from year to year) Q 2.60mm Arriving passengers annually Q There is a general trend of more passengers departing BUF Airport than arriving – less than 25K annually Q 1.463mm are US local residents, business traveler and visitors Q 837K are Canadian citizens with the majority traveling to leisure markets Q 300K are incremental visitors to the region
US and Foreign (outside of North America) going to Canada Q There is a relatively small percentage (undetermined at this time) of these visitors that tour Ontario and then depart via another airport Q Conversely, US and foreign visitors arriving in Toronto, tour the Niagara region and then cross the border to depart out of BUF Q There is a relationship between the BUF passenger traffic and the exchange rate of the Canadian and US dollar
3rd Q 2012 Q Comparing 3rd Q 2012 O&D data to 1st Q 2012 Q Flow of passengers from BUF to warm climate destinations in 1st Q Q Flow of passengers to BUF from major US cities in 3rd Q
to Niagara is very difficult to quantify Q The service to YTZ from YCM is complex Q Porter controls approximate +85% of the available seats and is the only airline that has connecting service to all major eastern Canada’s cities Q Porter only has airline partnerships not code share agreements Q Air service to YTZ will require funding and support of a marketing program in spoke cities of Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City
reach in North America with the announcement of ordering the 30 Bombardier CS100 jet aircraft Q Currently the only aircraft in the Porter’s fleet is the Bombardier Q400 with 70 seats Q The Q400 aircraft is too large for service to YCM Q In order for YCM to have service to YTZ, there needs to be Q Code share agreement with Porter and a regional operator Q An aircraft with 19 seats or less may work during most of the season Q The initial service could be considered with an air taxi operation using a 10-15 seat aircraft
to Niagara (via BUF and YYZ) are the most important players in this plan Q They can reduce the risk, bring greater creditability to an airline proposal and facilitate as a bridge to a long term program Q Advanced planning is key, 10-12 months Q Willing to shift to YCM with less frequent service initially at a premium fare over BUF
or Washington DC are the best options to initiate YCM service Q The airline, frequency, airport, type of aircraft, service dates could be finalized in the next 30 days Q The “Fly2Niagara” Alliance needs get organized, contact tour operators, develop a funding plan and follow up with YCM Board
as a “gate keeper” to the tour groups and FIT travelers – This is an advantage and opportunity for you! Q The tour operators we have interviewed like the YCM flight program, willing to help and want more information Q The hospitality and business leaders have the leverage to influence the tour operator’s pricing, itineraries, lodging rates and become engaged in supporting the air service initiative
generally can provide the most of the financial and marketing support Q Air service should be a community program that everyone can rally behind and a model for future community opportunities Q This will be a public/private partnership Q Everyone can support the effort and benefit from commercial air service to YCM
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