The runway outside of the Charlottetown airport on August 8. A $9 million pilot project will see a new carrier, PAL Airlines offer twice-daily flights between Halifax and Charlottetown starting later this year. Stu Neatby The GuardianArticle contentA $9-million investment will expand regional air service between New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe three-year pilot program, jointly funded by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the three provincial governments, will see PAL Airlines establish regular, daily flights connecting Halifax with Sydney, Charlottetown, Fredericton and Moncton. Bookings are expected to be open later this year and flights will be offered daily.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentSpeaking at a press conference on August 8, P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz said the Council of Atlantic Premiers has been working on the pilot project for years, alongside representatives from regional airport authorities.Article contentArticle content On August 8, P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz announced a $9 million package of funding from provincial and federal governments to support expanded flights between Charlottetown, Halifax, Sydney, Fredericton and Moncton. Stu Neatby The GuardianArticle content“This investment will launch a three-year pilot program, restoring twice-daily flights between Charlottetown and Halifax, as well as daily flights connecting regional airports to Halifax in both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick,” Lantz said.Article content“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.”Article contentCurrently, there are no regular regional flights connecting Charlottetown to Halifax.Article contentArticle contentOf the $9 million government funding for this project, ACOA will be contributing $5 million. The Government of Nova Scotia will be contributing $2.9 million, while the Governments of P.E.I. and New Brunswick will contribute $840,000 and $458,000, respectively.Article contentArticle content Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston emphasized the need for the Atlantic Canadian region to improve its business connectivity in the face of the tariff threats from the United States. Stu Neatby The GuardianArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentNova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said premiers are working to enhance connections between people and businesses in the region in the face of the tariff threats from the United States.Article content“As Maritimers we’re so connected. We share the same values, the same traditions, the same food – the same music!” Houston said.Article content“There’s so many business connections amongst our region … and we just really need each other.”Article contentWhen asked why airlines have not already launched flights connecting the Atlantic region’s capitals, without the need of government assistance, Houston pointed to the impact of the pandemic.
Maritime premiers, Ottawa to fund more flights between Atlantic Canadian cities
