I've always been fascinated about the former Canadian carriers over the years and the amount of regional flights they offered.

Other Canadian airlines that operated from UK regional airports include the likes of Canada 300, Crownair, Oddesey International, Royal Airlines, Sunwing, Zoom.

Although mainly catering to the Canadian home market other Canadian charter airlines from the past include the likes of Air Club International, Ontario Worldways, Pacific Western Airlines, Québecair.

Gatwick in particular used to see various Canadian carriers on the ground at the same time during the early to mid 1980's.

Crownair used to serve Exeter with DC-8-52's but I'm not sure about Oddesey International ever using the airport with their Boeing 757s. I'm sure someone can confirm whether they did or not.

Towards the final years, Air Transat operated the route via NCL just before termination on the A310.

Maybe someone from Exeter should have a chat with westjet?

We where just talking about this in work that BFS seemed at one point to have flights to Canada almost daily across so many carriers. I wonder if its a demographic changes over time rather than anything else is the main driver

I think so. The VFR market has much diminished as either those who emigrated to Canada or those who stayed behind have died off.

I would question that statement, I have travelled as VFR to Canada 15 times in the last few years and my family there flown back this way at least half a dozen. Many medics alone in Canada are Brits and the numbers swell daily as the salaries are so much higher. I haven't done the math but think it is a growing market not diminishing

The VFR market in the seventies was driven by inter war and post war emigration. As that generation has died off the market dwindled. There has to be a reason why regional airports like Brum no longer have those flights; if there were a market the machines like the A321XLR would be the ideal tool. Not seeing much sign....

Whether it might re-emerge in some form based on new emigration is a different question.

Canada is making a very positive name for itself at the moment. It certainly is a country large numbers of people would go to. The problem is it is very expensive to do, I’d say that’s the primary reason the market from the UK isn’t as big as it could be. It is much more accessible and cost effective for your average millennial/Gen Z to get across to eg Thailand and travel around, than to get to Vancouver or Calgary and get around the Rockies. And my own experience of the eastern cities is that they’re more expensive to reach and more expensive to stay in than eg NY, Boston and Washington.

Just a quick note as Ryanair have loaded their summer 26 schedule.

Alicante retains its 4x weekly service as the same as this year (not sure about one of the flights 01:15 arrival :zzz:)

However great to see Malaga increases to 3x weekly!

Alicante 4x weekly
Malaga 3x weekly
Faro 2x weekly
Mallorca 2x weekly

I find it odd that Ryanair can't sustain more than two services per week to Palma in the summer. TUI only does 4 weekly, so not much in the way of competition. Compare that to Bournemouth down the road, Ryanair does it 10 per week with competition from Jet2 4 per week and TUI 5 per week.

Is this the Bristol effect?

I realise that it's a long way off, but TUI Airways have announced a one-off flight from Exeter to Barbados for January 2027.

This is more than likely cruise related and operated on behalf of P&O Cruises.

https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/251124-tomjan27extbgi

TUI have added an extra service to Palma on a Thursday afternoon taking the route to 5 x week plus FR x 2 week

Hays travel and P@O cruises have added an extra service to BGI for Jan 28 using a B788 as well as Jan 27 ( already mentioned in previous post ) and I believe is the first time visit of a 787

Aer Lingus
 

For this summer season. Belfast with Aer Lingus is just showing as a weekly flight on Saturdays with no flights on sale for winter as it stands.

That is a massive drop compared to just a few seasons ago

I noticed that on the ACL report for BHD Summer 26. Always seemed to do well

I was led to believe the reduction in service was due to aircraft availability more than demand. Perhaps someone could elaborate?

BA to LCY
 

Why were there 2 BA flights to LCY today from EXT


Special event or maintenance?

The CFE E190's are in and out of EXT on a regular basis for maint, so a not unusual occurence.