Farce at CYTZ

[MarkD]

So Jazz issues a press release (and loads their timetable) with DH1 to YOW and, boy oh boy, YUL from 28-Aug. Good news you'd think. Okay, it's getting in bed with STOLPort whose principals were run out of dodge by Air Ontario/Deluce way back when apparently so potential for tension ahead but still, business on the Island is business and one in the eye for the nay-sayers from Hizzoner on down.

The Port Authority, possibly the least media savvy board on the planet, responds by writing to Jazz saying "WTF? You're still suing us and have no Commercial Carrier Operating Agreement with us. No flights in here until you quit that and get the paperwork - and by the way the ferry won't be ready anyway."

Fair enough perhaps - airlines can't just "declare" new services without an okay from the operator - even one you'd think would be desperate for it. But they gave the damn letter to the papers!

Is it just that the critics are right - TPA are so far in bed with Deluce as to hobble Jazz until Porter gets going?? I hope not - it will be another nail in the coffin if that kind of behaviour is reported by the federal review.

[GreatCircle]

YTZ's politics make for some great reading. Lisa Raitt TPA CEO, is a litagiously focused broad, and is using taxpayers dosh to sue members of community air, the harbourfront residents who oppose YTZ's very existence.

Don't agree with Community Air, but Raitt's do what I like attitude, needs review - along with her consultant and spin doctor buddies.

I just posted another thread on Porter, perhaps the mod can combine them...

[Robertkc]

TORONTO (Dow Jones Newswires) 8 August

Jazz Air may not revive its commuter service out of Toronto Island Airport before its fledgling competition after all.

The regional airline, a division of ACE Aviation Holdings Inc., said Tuesday it would have to delay its scheduled start of service due to an ongoing dispute with the Toronto Port Authority.
Spokeswoman Debra Williams said there was no date for when flights might resume, noting that Jazz is in a legal battle with the Toronto Port Authority regarding its right to operate from the airport.
That may give the upstart Porter Airlines a fighting chance. The new airline, headed by aviation veteran Robert Deluce, announced earlier this year that it would launch a new commuter service from the island airport.
While it hasn't set a startup date, Porter has chosen livery, hired crews, established a reservation system and agreed to purchase 10 Bombardier turboprop aircraft. It plans daily weekday flights to Ottawa and Montreal.
Halifax, N.S.-based Jazz, which has operated daily flights to Ottawa from the airport, was forced to suspend flying out of the island-based airport in March when it was evicted by City Centre Aviation, which manages the airport. City Centre Aviation is owned by Robert Deluce. In July, Jazz said it would resume service from the island airport after securing hangar and terminal facilities through an agreement with Stolport Corp. At the time, it said it planned to more than double the number of flights it operates out of the island airport when it resumed services on Aug. 28, essentially matching the proposed services from Porter. But on Tuesday it announced the Toronto Port Authority had refused to approve the sublease between Jazz and Stolport. Jazz said it had been asked to agree to a commercially restrictive commercial carrier operating agreement, although that isn't a regulatory requirement for airline operations.
Williams said the dispute is now in federal court.