BermudAir service to Canada set to launch in May
BermudAir will begin flying to two Canadian cities in May as the Bermuda-based airline continues to expand into new markets.
The airline announced that it will start service to Toronto Pearson International Airport on May 17, while flights to Halifax Stanfield International Airport will begin on May 25, with tickets on sale now.
Until April 10, flights from Bermuda to Canada will be available for as little as $199, while the flight from Canada to Bermuda will start at $149, including taxes.
According to the May flight schedule, published by Skyport, the Toronto flight will take to the skies on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, while the Halifax flights will take place on Saturdays.
Adam Scott, founder and chief executive officer of BermudAir, said after the service was announced on Thursday that the airline was excited about the response from the public.
“We have already had fantastic sales today and a lot of positive comments,” he said. “The feedback has been great across the board.
“Whenever we made an announcement about new routes people would ask us when we are going to Toronto, when we are going to Halifax.
“I am originally from Toronto, from the GTA (greater Toronto area). Bermuda is my adopted home and my favourite place on the planet, but my second home is Toronto so this is going to be a bit of a homecoming for me personally.”
The announcement comes shortly after The Royal Gazette revealed that the airline had received permission from the Bermuda Government to operate flights to five new destinations including both Toronto and Halifax.
Other potential destinations include Hamilton, Ontario, Montreal, Quebec and Norfolk, Virginia.
Mr Scott said that the list of destinations was not an exhaustive list of the destinations being considered by the airline as it continues to look for opportunities to expand.
He said: “There has been strong demand for travel between Bermuda and Canada, and we’re proud to continue delivering on our commitment to provide additional connectivity with these new routes.
“Toronto and Halifax are currently underserved, and this expansion aligns with our mission to provide year-round service, meeting the needs of both Bermudians and travellers from Canada.”
A spokeswoman for the airline said: “This strategic expansion addresses the increasing demand for direct flights between Bermuda and these prominent Canadian cities, underscoring BermudAir's dedication to enhancing travel options for both leisure and business travellers.
“Toronto, Canada's largest city, is a bustling metropolis with strong economic ties to Bermuda, while Halifax, recognised for its rich history and strategic importance in the Atlantic region, shares historical, cultural, and commercial connections with Bermuda.
“The new routes are poised to become vital links that foster increased tourism and business exchanges between the two countries.”
Wayne Furbert, the Minister of Transport, said he was delighted to see BermudAir expand service into prominent Canadian destinations.
“This development is welcomed news and brings much needed convenience for travel to Bermuda,” he said.
“With direct flights connecting Bermuda with Toronto and Halifax, BermudAir effectively meets the demand that locals and visitors have been seeking.
“As a valued partner in enhancing our air travel offerings, BermudAir is bolstering Bermuda's marketing efforts, signifying a progressive stride forward.”
BermudAir also announced that it had been accepted into the US Transport Security Administration’s PreCheck programme for all of its routes between Bermuda and the US.
As of Thursday, passengers travelling with TSA PreCheck memberships will be able to go through a streamlined security process prior to boarding without the need to take off shoes, belts or light jackets or remove electronics from their bags.
CEO Adam Scott said: “We're very pleased to facilitate this added element of efficiency and service to our guests, wherever they're flying from across our routes
“We want to ensure a consistent level of service in this regard. It will help people save time, and also complements the quality service that's core to everything BermudAir does.”
US citizens, US nationals and US lawful permanent residents can apply for a five-year TSA PreCheck membership, along with those who are members of specific traveller programmes recognised by TSA such as Global Entry.
Kurush Minocher, executive director for Airlines Relations and Customer Experience for the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, said: “With increased demand for travel to Bermuda this winter, BermudAir’s new service will help connect travellers looking to escape to the beauty of the island.
“We are also pleased to welcome BermudAir, our newest international airline.”
Marie Manning, VP of business development and chief commercial officer for the Halifax International Airport Authority, added: “We’re pleased to welcome BermudAir as our newest airline partner and put Bermuda back on our non-stop route map at Halifax Stanfield.
“We’ve had many requests from our community for a non-stop flight connecting Halifax and Bermuda, and with the short flight time of about two hours, we are confident it will be popular for business and leisure travel year-round.”
With the additional flights factored into the schedule, BermudAir are expected to operate 2,700 flights a year, offering 178,000 seats to prospective passengers.
BermudAir will utilise Embraer E175 aircraft on the Canadian routes, featuring a dual-class cabin, with 14 seats in a business cabin and 52 seats in an economy cabin.
Mr Scott said that the airline also hopes to expand its fleet with a third and fourth aircraft in the near future, and bring on additional staff to crew the aircraft.
He said that the early response to the airline’s service to Baltimore and Orlando, both of which launched this month, have been very positive.
Mr Scott said: “I was just on our flight to Baltimore, which just launched the other week, and it was almost a full flight on the way in and almost a full flight on the way out. It was extremely good to see.”
To book flights, view flight schedules or obtain more information, download the BermudAir app or visit flybermudair.com.
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