Small airlines can make a big difference to growing destinations like Newfoundland and Labrador.

That was one of the discussions today as the ongoing Altitude East Conference in St John’s.

Ultra-low cost airlines are among the most profitable in the world but due to our population, Canada is one of the last major counties to get them.

Portugal’s Professor Claudia De Almeida presented on low cost airlines using her native Algarve as an example of industry changes that can occur. That region had mostly charter flights in its small Faro airport until low cost airlines came in 1997. Since then they’ve increased by five million passengers a year.

However, those passengers are staying for shorter periods. Easier passage means more casual tourism, interested in a weekend or a few nights over commitment of a couple weeks.

They’ve found Algarve’s attractive features, mild climate, and safer, stable political environment have made them an ideal area for travel.

Newfoundland and Labrador at least has two of those, anyway.