Nothing concrete on airline coming to town: manager

Speaking with representatives from Ontario's Porter Airlines is nothing new for Stephenville airport manager Larry Smith - and it doesn't mean the airline is about to announce a service into Stephenville.

This is according to Mr. Smith, who told the Georgian last week he has talked to the airline about the possibility of operating from Stephenville airport several times since becoming the airport's manager in 2006.

Mr. Smith acknowledged a campaign of local people calling and emailing the airline showing support for such a service and asking the airline set up shop in the town.

While this is a good idea in theory, Mr. Smith said the company has a policy of answering individual emails. He noted the calls and letters are tying up the airline's employees.

"It's nice to show support," he said. "But for what?"

"If they decided to come [to Stephenville] I'd be very happy about it for sure and I'm sure they would get a lot of support around the Southwest Coast for a service into Stephenville. However, there has been no commitment made by Porter."

Mr. Smith said what has occurred is some talk about the possibility of such a service.

"A few weeks ago I did call because I heard that they had increased the flights into Montreal from Toronto Island," he said. "We had some conversations about Air Canada's route from Montreal to Stephenville years ago and he seemed a bit interested in it," he said of the gentleman he spoke with.

"I talked to the route planner later on," he added, saying he sent them statistics about the airport at their request.

He said from where it stands right now, its only been conversation.

"They have the information and they have made no commitment here and I've made none to them."

Meanwhile, the Stephenville Airport Corporation continues its negotiations with KAZ Aviation, an American fixed base operations company interested in taking over operations at the Stephenville Airport.

reporter@thegeorgian.ca