A long-time local proponent of direct air access to the UK is delighted that WestJet is restoring a St. John’s—London Gatwick service in the spring, but says the province also needs a direct route to the US.
John Steele of Steele Hotels delivered a no-nonsense address to the Energy NL conference earlier this year calling for the need to restore an air link to the UK.
Steele told VOCM News that developing personal connections is still important in the business world and a direct route to the UK is essential.
He says for those involved in the oil and gas industry, “it’s an ordeal to get here.” He says it takes 24 hours to get from Stavanger, Norway to St. John’s because of the stops and connections involved.
As for government providing an added financial incentive to maintain that link, Steele says it’s important.
“I’m not one who’s unusually big on subsidies for businesses, but in this case, in terms of of the overall benefit…it’s significant and it’s worth that type of investment.” He says if the province is willing to put tens of millions into keeping isolated communities connected through the intra-provincial ferry service, then it should be putting money into keeping the province connected to the world to develop our economy. “Until we do that, it’s like going to a gun fight with a knife.”
Steele says what he’d like to see is a daily direct service to the UK and restoration of a direct air service to Newark.
