Vancouver Sun: Seaplane Companies willing to go to mediation over new flight centre

I write to support the position articulated by the mayors of communities with seaplane bases regarding the development of a new floatplane terminal facility in the port of Vancouver… 3-23-2011 Letter of Support from Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

Oceanside Tourism has been following the recent news regarding the proposal for a $22-million seaplane terminal on the north end of the new Vancouver Convention Centre.  Oceanside Tourism’s Board of Directors is concerned about the resulting additional costs that will be passed along to Vancouver Island bound travelers. Read more..Oceanside Tourism Support Letter

Regular floatplane customer: I am writing to support the non-profit Harbour Hub facility. I can tell you that the low cost of a seaplane fare is what enables me to use it for business and personal trips so frequently.  A higher rate due to for-profit Terminal fees is both an economical and ethical deterrent to …

President, Harbour Heliport Society: “By using a common facility for floatplane and helicopter operations, costs would be reduced.  By further linking this facility to existing transportation hubs such as Sea-bus, Skytrain and Canada Line, Vancouver would create a multi-modal transportation “hub”, which would be truly unique.”

“Keeping costs down is always a strong consideration for tour operators and independent travellers,” asserts Stephen Regan, President & CEO of COTA. “The tourism and travel industry already contends with significant cost issues related to the increased value of the Canadian dollar, generally higher costs of international air access and the introduction of the Harmonized …

Mayor Robertson: After meeting with seaplane operators this week, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said he sees merit in the idea of a terminal connecting directly to the Canada Line and other forms of public transit. “An industry-run, seaplane-passenger terminal east of Canada Place is an idea worth exploring,” he said. “We need an affordable seaplane …

Nanaimo Mayor John Ruttan agrees. “In my opinion, $12 [one way] is an excessive amount.”

  Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin said the operators’ proposal for their own terminal near other transportation links makes sense. “We need to have an affordable float plane industry. It links us to the province.” Fortin said the levy would mean a “substantive increase” to fares. “That’s a huge increase on something that is used on …

Chair of COTA: “The downtown Vancouver float plane terminal is a critical transportation link for travellers,” says Lana Denoni, Chair of COTA. “increased connections for passengers to air, water, train, bus, and taxi at a realistic price point eliminating a $24.00 surcharge                              …

“Anything that adds unnecessary costs to floatplane travel hurts the residents of the Gulf Islands and the island economy,” said Philip Reece, director of Salt Spring Air. “TheHarbour Hub is the solution to keeping ticket prices affordable.”