The Goose Bay Airport Corporation and other towns and organizations in the region say their concerns about affordable air service to and from Labrador have once again been ignored.
The corporation has been joined by the towns of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, North West River, the Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation and the Labrador North Chamber of Commerce in saying they were shocked to hear that the province had reached an agreement with PAL Airlines to provide an interconnected loop between Deer Lake, Gander and St. John’s, with no similar agreement for Labrador.
Airport CEO Rex Goudie says they’ve made repeated suggestions to the province about enhancing service and affordability in Labrador “but, to no avail.”
(Goose Bay Airport)
Goudie says the province contends that federally-imposed fees are the issue, but he says those same fees apply to all airports and if they’re a barrier in Labrador, they should also be a barrier on the island.
The province says it is continuing to explore options with Labrador airport partners on ways to improve air access for those traveling to, or from, Labrador. Those options include federal fees, charges and other taxes that put an added strain on passengers, airlines and airports.
