REGCO Order 10 Dash-8 Q-400's

ch135146 · Post by **ch135146** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 1:27 pm

[quote="jimmyjazz"]With both the port authority and the airport being federal I can't figure out how the city managed to stop the bridge. [quote]

A: Political bum-blasting.

The Liberals helped Miller carry out his primary campaign promise, which was to kill the bridge project.

(The mayoral candidate who ran on a law & order platform, John Tory, will probably be the next Ontario premier. A Conservative one.)

In return, Miller gamely appeared with "Team Martin" during the recent federal election campaign.

Feck Toronto!

Steve
Dundas, Ontario

blue-sky · Post by **blue-sky** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 1:47 pm

anybody know much about this Porter Airlines company, do they have a website or any contact information?

Dockjock · Post by **Dockjock** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 2:37 pm

I love the picture on the port authority website. Parking for 50 cars should be plenty, right?

DAVID MILLER- SEE YA, wouldn't wanna BE YA....

TorontoGuy · Post by **TorontoGuy** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 3:24 pm

When I googled "stop the island airport" here's the first return. This seems to be the active group trying to get rid of the island airport.

http://www.communityair.org/home.htm

TorontoGuy · Post by **TorontoGuy** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 3:26 pm

blue-sky wrote:anybody know much about this Porter Airlines company, do they have a website or any contact information?

The company was launched just today. Go back a few posts to where I linked to its announcement news release today. It filed its flight plan just today. Its investors are not groups that enter into investments lightly.

TorontoGuy · Post by **TorontoGuy** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 3:37 pm

Dockjock wrote:I love the picture on the port authority website. Parking for 50 cars should be plenty, right?

DAVID MILLER- SEE YA, wouldn't wanna BE YA....

Actually, parking for 50 would be fine. Back in the most recent boom days for the airport, in the '80s, there were frequent shuttle buses to downtown Toronto, especially to Union Station, from which you can get the subway, VIA Rail and GO Transit commuter trains.

Back then, a company called CityExpress could take you cheaply to Ottawa, Montreal, or Newark airport for NYC travellers.

Miller's going to have a tougher time opposing it this round, because the order with Bombardier is claimed to create 1,000 jobs and Porter Airlines claims its service will create another 500 direct and indirect jobs.

The argument that having an airport downtown will spoil waterfront redevelopment is a canard. There are miles and miles of Toronto waterfront to be redeveloped, the largest chunk of it a couple of miles away from the airport. Even now, you can spend a day at Centre Island, in the park, and never really even know that an airport is there.

Prospect · Post by **Prospect** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 3:46 pm

Porter to take flight in 2006

Regional carrier to serve Canadian and US destinations from Toronto City
Centre Airport

TORONTO, Feb. 2 /CNW/ - Porter Airlines Inc. formally launched today by
logging its flight plan to become Canada's newest regional passenger carrier.
The airline unveiled its name, logo and livery at a signing ceremony this
morning before a group of media, employees, Canadian Auto Workers (CAW)
representatives, airline employees and other guests at the Bombardier
Aerospace Downsview manufacturing facility.
Yesterday, the airline's parent company, REGCO Holdings Inc., announced
it has placed a firm order with Bombardier Aerospace for ten (10) 70-seat Q400
turboprop aircraft. The total contract, which includes an option to purchase
an additional 10 aircraft, is valued at more than $500 million (US). REGCO's
wholly-owned subsidiary, Porter Airlines Inc. will take flight later this year
from its operational base at the Toronto City Centre Airport (TCCA).
The airline will offer consumers a convenient alternative to Pearson
International Airport and serve short-haul Canadian and U.S. destinations
within a 500-nm radius of the Greater Toronto Area. Destination cities and
flight schedules will be announced at a later date.
"This is a great day for Toronto's aviation industry and, more
importantly, the flying public," said Robert Deluce, President and CEO of
REGCO Holdings Inc. "Porter looks forward to serving customers and
contributing to the Toronto economy. Our presence at the TCCA improves the
city's competitiveness by allowing passengers to have direct access to
downtown, stimulating business and tourism throughout the city."
"We are immensely proud that this new Toronto airline has chosen this
Toronto-built, world-leading aircraft, the Bombardier Q400," said Steven
Ridolfi, President, Bombardier Regional Aircraft. "This extraordinary regional
aircraft has led a resurgence in turboprop travel around the world. It has
everything - jet-like speed, quiet comfort, environmental friendliness, low
fuel burn, and the lowest operating costs of any regional aircraft. There is
no other turboprop that can compete with the Q400 aircraft in this arena.
Porter's order is a vote of confidence in the performance and operating
economics of the Q400."
According to Roland Kiehne, President of CAW Local 112, "CAW workers are
extremely proud to be building Porter's Q400 aircraft right here in Toronto,
where the airline will be based. We take pride in every plane that leaves
Downsview, but these will be particularly special."
REGCO Holdings Inc. also announced that it has recently completed an
equity financing of approximately $125 million CAD, the second-highest ever
for a new airline. The airline's investors include EdgeStone Capital Partners,
Borealis Infrastructure who invests on behalf of the Ontario Municipal
Employees Retirement System (OMERS) and REGCO Capital Corp., a company
controlled by Robert Deluce.
Mr. Deluce was joined at the event by former AMR Corp Chairman and CEO
Don Carty, who will serve as Chairman of REGCO Holdings Inc and Porter
Airlines Inc. Carty has unparalleled airline experience on both sides of the
border, serving as President and CEO of both American Airlines and CP Air
(predecessor to Canadian Airlines).
"We are tremendously fortunate to have Don Carty leading our Board of
Directors," added Deluce. "His advice and experience will be invaluable as we
develop our airline."
The airline and its related businesses will create 500 new direct and
indirect jobs at the airport, including management, sales, marketing,
engineering, maintenance, information technology, customer service, pilots and
flight attendants. Downtown Toronto business, including cultural events,
hotels and restaurants, will have additional economic benefits of up to $800
million annually. In addition, this announcement will support 150 existing
jobs and 20 businesses at the TCCA, which already contribute $100 million
annually to the downtown economy.
REGCO has signed a long-term Commercial Carrier Operating Agreement
(CCOA) with the Toronto Port Authority (TPA), operators of the Toronto City
Centre Airport. The airport, which has served downtown Toronto since 1939, is
governed by a Tripartite Agreement between the City of Toronto, The Federal
Government and the TPA. The Tripartite Agreement will remain in effect
until at least 2033.
The Q400 is a modern and environmentally-friendly aircraft, employing
state-of-the-art equipment and technology. It is capable of steep approach and
reduced engine RPM landings to minimize operating noise. It is also the most
fuel-efficient aircraft in its class, burning less fuel per seat than most
regional jets and narrow-bodied aircraft. The Q400 aircraft's revolutionary
Noise and Vibration Suppression (NVS) system results in the quietest turboprop
interior in the industry. It also features Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC)
turboprop engines.

About Porter
Porter Airlines Inc. is a regional passenger carrier that will operate
out of Toronto City Centre Airport. The airline will begin scheduled service
later this year to short-haul Canadian and U.S. destinations within a 500-nm
radius of the Greater Toronto Area.
Porter is a subsidiary of privately-held REGCO Holdings Inc. Its
investors include EdgeStone Capital Partners, Borealis Infrastructure and
REGCO Capital Corp.

For further information: Contacts: Brad Cicero, For REGCO Holdings Inc.,
(416) 847-1305 or (416) 844-4039; Marc Holloran, Bombardier Aerospace,
(416) 375-3030; Sam Duboc, EdgeStone Capital Partners, (416) 860-3760; Michael
Rolland, Borealis Infrastructure, (416) 361-2683

Driving Rain · Post by **Driving Rain** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 5:05 pm

loopy wrote:Driving Rain, no offense, but the whole jet ban thing is a huge red herring The longest runway is 4000'. No airline jets, even RJ's, can safely use that runway length . Some citation and falcon corporate birds, maybe.

The biggest noise polluter at that airport are garret powered turboprops that come in on air ambulance. The jet issue was never a danger except for some corporate birds. Just a ruse by Miller and friends .

I hear ya Loopy. Years ago the owner of Black and Decker flew into the Island with his Citation. He was unaware of the Jet Ban. He was fined at the time a whopping $10,000. Funny thing was he was there to scout territory to build a manufacturing plant. He paid the ten grand and Toronto never did get the manufacturing plant and all those jobs. A 185 makes more noise than a Citation at take off. It's a stupid rule, a more sensible rule would be one based on noise footprint and decible levels.

teacher · Post by **teacher** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 6:37 pm

Uh Oh!!! Olivia Chow Chow says ""The deal must be frozen" and David Miller said "he wants prime minister-designate Stephen Harper to turn the port authority over to the city." so they can shut it all down. It didn't happen with the Liberals and I doubt it'll happen with the Conservatives.

If money talks, this time they're done for, this one's gonna finally fly I think!!!

Toronto Star Article:

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Conten ... 8793972154

yxu737 · Post by **yxu737** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 7:05 pm

Are there more announcements to come?

EI-EIO · Post by **EI-EIO** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 9:22 pm

If Toronto pols really gave a crap about green space in the city, they would have completed Downview Park, perhaps even acquiring the Boeing 717 facility to move Bombardier to (I understand that is to be AC's now) to create a massive park in a part of the city that can really do with some improvement. I was out there on the way to a furniture store in a warehouse wasteland and passed Downsview - depressing isn't the word.

The money and pull is downtown.

How many people on this board actually live within the city boundary? My councillor is Ootes - he'd be on side but my MP is Layton and he has to oppose the airport or no nookie for him given his wife's election to Trinity-Spadina. Still, I intend to contact both their offices and my MPP's to voice my support for the retention of the airport, especially since Buttonville looks like it's gone in four years. How many Torontonians on this board will do the same?

I have zero connection to CYTZ - never even been to it, nearest I've seen of it is from the CN Tower observation deck - but I think it's a crucial piece of infrastructure.

BTW - it's not just the NDP - Ignatieff also opposed the airport according to CommunityAir.

(edit - can't write to my MPP - she resigned to run for the NDP in the federal election!)

North Shore · Post by **North Shore** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 12:17 am

Pretty picture on the Port Authority website...seriously, is that all the water there is separating the island from the mainland?? Shit, a 5 year old could throw a rock that far.

Flying Low · Post by **Flying Low** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 1:43 am

Pretty picture on the Port Authority website...seriously, is that all the water there is separating the island from the mainland?? Shit, a 5 year old could throw a rock that far.

Yep...That's all there is. In fact...at one time, and likely still true...that ferry ride was the most expensive scheduled ferry service in the world based on distance travelled!

yyzdub · Post by **yyzdub** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 2:49 am

Loopy,

The Avro could land with 4000' runway... they do it in London City Airport, UK although it doesn't give a hell of a lot of space for error

C-FABH · Post by **C-FABH** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 6:05 am

loopy wrote:The longest runway is 4000'. No airline jets, even RJ's, can safely use that runway length . Some citation and falcon corporate birds, maybe.

The longest runway at Buttonville slightly shorter than 4000' and they have a share of Citation Excels and Learjets. A share significant enough that if it was YTZ, the activists would burn half the city in protest.

There is the odd (very rare) jet medevac these days.

If the noise barriers came down, the locals would complain about the increased jet noise and 'pollution' -- and then (as always) preach the is a 'hidden agenda' to actually engthen the runway for commercial service.

EI-EIO · Post by **EI-EIO** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:27 am

response from ward councillor - trying to track down a direct email for Layton (I don't like those web form thingys)

Dear (EI-EIO)

On behalf of Councillor Case Ootes, thank you for your email. I know that Case will be interested in your comments regarding the City Centre Airport. He too thinks that this is a good news story.

Regards,
Nancy MacDonald
for

Councillor Case Ootes

Brewguy · Post by **Brewguy** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:41 am

Flying Low wrote:...that ferry ride was the most expensive scheduled ferry service in the world based on distance travelled!

Get rid of the ferry entirely ... instead, have instructors on either side to give free pole vaulting lessons

loopy · Post by **loopy** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:45 am

Yyzdub, by avro I'm guessing you mean the Bae 146? I know she's a short field bird, but I don't think anyone is flying them in Canada anymore. Do they even build them now? You are right though, and those things are quiter than most of the turboprops.

They should go to decibal limitations anyway, not just a jet ban.

Hotel Tango · Post by **Hotel Tango** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:48 am

TorontoGuy wrote:When I googled "stop the island airport" here's the first return. This seems to be the active group trying to get rid of the island airport.

http://www.communityair.org/home.htm

Here is a quote from this web site

"Toronto's dream and extensive plans for a "Clean Green Waterfront" are threatened by a handful of private interests pushing a reckless scheme to ramp up commercial traffic at the Toronto Island Airport by more than 3000%.

The airport is a money-losing black hole for taxpayer subsidies. It now serves an average of less than 30 round-trip passengers per day (approximately 20,000 passengers in or out per year). With the airport losing more than $2.7-million in 2004, every roundtrip ticket is being subsidized nearly $275. The losses and per-ticket subsidies are much larger than this if the airport operation is allocated a portion of the costs for running the Port Authority's lavish headquarters operations"

STICK TO ONE POINT! Ok, it's losing money... bad! Bussiness is gonna increase and make money BAD!!!! Oh my god, my head hurts.

CAL · Post by **CAL** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 11:19 am

My god how people use stats incorrectly.

3,000%?

TorontoGuy · Post by **TorontoGuy** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 11:39 am

EI-EIO wrote: How many Torontonians on this board will do the same?

I just fired off a letter to the mayor.

DLB · Post by **DLB** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 11:41 am

Me too.

neophyte · Post by **neophyte** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 12:37 pm

It is my understanding that the Port Authority has plans for bigger ferries to accomodate increased traffic.

The locals don't want a fixed link but they aren't fighting a bigger (longer) ferry? I say keep on stretching the ferry until all the shipmates on the ferry have to do is open the gates on each end, the skipper won't have to touch the throttle at all.

Enough sarcasm from me.

N

TorontoGuy · Post by **TorontoGuy** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 12:41 pm

neophyte wrote:It is my understanding that the Port Authority has plans for bigger ferries to accomodate increased traffic.

The locals don't want a fixed link but they aren't fighting a bigger (longer) ferry? I say keep on stretching the ferry until all the shipmates on the ferry have to do is open the gates on each end, the skipper won't have to touch the throttle at all.

Enough sarcasm from me.

N

Great idea until the first argument with a lake freighter coming through the channel.

Brewguy · Post by **Brewguy** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 1:06 pm

Maybe we're looking at this all wrong.
Forget a bridge, and forget the ferry... we need a tunnel!

I live in Niagara, and we have a couple of tunnels that go under the Welland Canal.
The canal is wider than the gap between the lakeshore and island... and is probably deeper too.