PEIProvincial governments in the Maritime provinces and the federal government are investing $9 million to help restore air travel between Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Flights to connect Halifax, Sydney, Charlottetown, Fredericton and MonctonStephen Brun · CBC News · Posted: Aug 08, 2025 12:36 PM EDT | Last Updated: 3 hours agoRegional air access returns to the MaritimesMaritime travellers will soon have another way to get to and from P.E.I. PAL Airlines is bringing back flights between Charlottetown and Halifax, and adding service from Halifax to Sydney and from Fredericton to Moncton. CBC’s Connor Lamont has more.Provincial governments in the Maritime provinces and the federal government are investing $9 million to help restore air travel between Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz and MP Sean Casey made the announcement Friday at Charlottetown Airport alongside Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston and Gilles LePage, New Brunswick’s minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation.The three provinces and Ottawa will provide funding to PAL Airlines in order to offer daily flights connecting Halifax, Sydney, Charlottetown, Fredericton and Moncton.”Service reductions in recent years — driven by pandemic-related challenges and shifting economic conditions — have left communities in the Maritimes without access to interprovincial air travel,” reads a P.E.I. government news release. “The restoration of regional services in the Maritimes is a significant step forward in rebuilding regional mobility, strengthening economic resilience, and reconnecting families, professionals, and tourists.”The three Maritime provinces and the federal government will provide funding to PAL Airlines in order to offer daily flights connecting Halifax, Sydney, Charlottetown, Fredericton and Moncton. (Connor Lamont/CBC)The three-year pilot program is jointly funded by the three provincial governments, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and regional airports, according to the release. ACOA is providing $5 million, with Nova Scotia kicking in $2.9 million, P.E.I. $840,000 and New Brunswick $458,000. Seats are expected to be available for sale later this year as flight schedules become available.’Maritime spirit and tenacity’Lantz said the funding will allow for twice-daily flights between Charlottetown and Halifax Stanfield International Airport, along with daily flights between Halifax and Fredericton, Moncton and Sydney.’We’re resilient as a region, especially when we work together like we did on this,’ says P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz. (Aaron Adetuyi/CBC)”These flights will strengthen connections to other domestic and international routes, improve access to markets and make it easier for businesses and entrepreneurs to grow,” Lantz said during the announcement.”We’re resilient as a region, especially when we work together like we did on this. This initiative is a real example of that Maritime spirit and tenacity.” Federal and provincial leaders have been working to dismantle internal trade barriers that push up the cost of goods and make it harder to do business within Canada.The rush comes in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff war with Canada, among several other countries. One study estimates that existing internal trade hurdles cost the economy some $200 billion a year.Friday’s announcement follows a move by Ottawa on July 28 that saw tolls to cross the Confederation Bridge between P.E.I. and New Brunswick and P.E.I. cut from $50.25 to $20. Prime Minister Mark Carney also slashed prices to use federally supported ferry services in Eastern Canada by 50 per cent. Once you move people and build relationships stronger and stronger, then products follow too.— Nova Scotia Premier Tim HoustonHouston said the idea of restoring regional air travel in the Maritimes had been percolating from some time among the Council of Atlantic Premiers. “When we can start to move people easier, there’s so many benefits that come from that,” the Nova Scotia premier said Friday. “Eventually, once you move people and build relationships stronger and stronger, then products follow too.”P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz and MP Sean Casey announced a return to Maritime regional air travel Friday at Charlottetown Airport alongside Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston and Gilles LePage, New Brunswick’s minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation. (Aaron Adetuyi/CBC)In a news release, Atlantic Canada Airports Association said the funding comes at a pivotal time. “While larger hubs have mostly rebounded from the impacts of the pandemic, many smaller regional airports are still working to restore lost routes and rebuild capacity,” the release states. “The initiative and funding will help level the playing field and ensure more equitable access to air service throughout Atlantic Canada.” Lantz told CBC News after the news conference that details about the cost and start dates for the flights are being worked out, but many already have plans to use the routes.He said the province is working with locum doctors in Boston who are interested in coming to work in the Island’s hospitals, and the reintroduction of direct flights will make that prospect more attractive.”To be able to fly directly from Boston to Halifax, and then make that short skip from Halifax here to Prince Edward Island, that was attractive to them and we’re going to see results from that,” Lantz said.ABOUT THE AUTHORStephen Brun works for CBC in Charlottetown, P.E.I. Through the years he has been a writer and editor for a number of newspapers and news sites across Canada, most recently in the Atlantic region. You can reach him at stephen.brun@cbc.ca.With files from Connor Lamont
Maritime premiers announce funding for interprovincial air travel
