Bearskin Airlines aircraft (Screen Capture)
Disheartening, that is what leadership in the City of Dryden are calling the decision by Bearskin Airlines to suspend flights at the Dryden Regional Airport, effective May 11th.
In a release the city says the loss of service will have profound impacts on residents, businesses, and essential services, as well as the community’s connectivity.
Mayor Jack Harrison says there has been a decline in usage, which he attributes to an issue of price point, noting however the announcement, which officials were given on Friday by the airline, goes beyond the city’s borders.
“That is the concern going forward, how do we address the affordability throughout our region. I understand this notice was given to Kenora as well as Fort Frances. So that is a big pullback for Bearskin out of this area.”
Suspending routes to the three communities would result in Bearskin Airlines routes coming from Winnipeg to Red Lake, to Sioux Lookout, down to Thunder Bay, before moving down to Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury.
A map of Bearskin Airlines routes, in Ontario and Manitoba. The carrier has informed officials in Dryden, Fort Frances and Kenora it will suspend its routes to those communities in May (Screen Capture Bearskin Airlines)
Next week officials from the three communities will be attending the Rural Ontario Municipal Association Conference, where Harrison believes the topic, while not part of any scheduled meetings, will end up coming to the forefront.
Officials in Dryden are already working to fill the void created by the service suspension, with hopes to solicit passenger carriers which can meet the current needs.
When asked if a “strength in numbers” strategy might be a route to take in order to attract new carriers, Harrison believes that would be the right course.
“I think its better if we work together and look for solutions and I think part of the solution really is to find a price point that will bring ridership up. It’s over a thousand dollars to fly to Thunder Bay return from Dryden…that’s pretty cost prohibitive.”
