After more than a year with no commercial flights, Quesnel’s airport will once again host Central Mountain Air (CMA) flights to Vancouver starting Friday, June 28.
The airline will run five flights a week from Quesnel to Vancouver, and five flights a week from Vancouver to Quesnel, CMA announced Tuesday, May 11.
“This announcement is excellent news for the community,” Quesnel Mayor Bob Simpson said in a CMA news release.
“The Quesnel Regional Airport is a vital link for our community and plays a critical role in attracting investment and facilitating economic growth in the region. Commercial air service is key to ensuring the long-term sustainability of regional airports.”
READ MORE: COVID-19: Central Mountain Air suspending flights, effective April 11
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit transportation in smaller communities hard, CMA noted.
Michael Claeren, CMA’s head of commercial said scheduled service dropped by over 80 per cent due to COVID-19.
“I commend these municipalities and airports for their willingness to partner and support their regions to help make this announcement today,” he said.
“Communities are concerned about their future as they face the prospect of being left without or with limited air service, especially at a time when their regional economies have been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic and corresponding hardship”
Flights will leave Quesnel at 9:20 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and at 5:35 p.m. on Friday and Sunday.
Flights to Quesnel are set to arrive at 8:45 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and 5:05 p.m. on Friday and Sunday.
The schedule is set to run until November 6. For a full schedule and booking information, check out CMA’s website, flycma.com.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the start of the schedule was June 1.
READ MORE: Quesnel airport runway will be repaved thanks to $7 million grant
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