Latest news with #PascanAviation

Sydney woman, 85, 'ached all over' from climbing stairs after airline didn't supply ramp

CBC

5 days ago

Health
CBC

Sydney woman, 85, 'ached all over' from climbing stairs after airline didn't supply ramp

When Carol Rogers's daughter booked the Cape Breton senior a trip to visit family in Alberta in May, she requested the airline operating out of Sydney, N.S., provide assistance to her 85-year-old mother, who relies on a walker because of arthritic knees. But when Rogers — who's been told by her doctor to stop climbing stairs — arrived at the Sydney airport for her flight with Pascan Aviation, there was no wheelchair ramp or lift available, and no ramp when she disembarked in Halifax, either. "It took me about 10 days to get over the effects of climbing and descending those stairs," said Rogers in an interview. "I wasn't very happy. My body ached all over. It was imperative that I get to Halifax to make my connection, so I climbed." While the flight had been booked through Porter Airlines, it included flight connections between Sydney and Halifax operated by Pascan Aviation, a Quebec-based airline that launched its Nova Scotia service last fall. It has since pulled out of the region. Rogers and her daughter called both airlines prior to her trip home to again request a ramp be made available. Rogers said she was assured by Pascan that a ramp would be on site when she returned to Sydney from her month-long visit. When she landed in Sydney, however, no ramp was in sight. Pascan told CBC News it instead offered to carry Rogers down the stairs in what's known as a Washington chair — a smaller, narrower wheelchair used on aircraft. "When I got to the door, there was no ramp and I looked around and they said, 'That's OK, we're going to take you down this way,'" said Rogers, adding she was then strapped down with "restraints around my chest and legs." Feeling panicked at the idea of being carried down the stairs while strapped to a chair, she decided to walk down the steps to a waiting wheelchair. She described the experience as being subjected to "indignation" and "humiliation." Airline made 'promises that they can't uphold,' says daughter Rogers's daughter, Julie Wood, said her mother's condition has worsened since the flights. "It's ageism, it's elder abuse. It's just plain cruelty ... They make promises that they can't uphold," said Wood, who lives in Halifax. "I was frustrated that we had not only been misled, but lied to." Officials with the J.A. Douglas McCurdy Airport in Sydney said the airlines are responsible for accessibility requests when it comes to getting passengers on and off planes. Rogers shared her booking itinerary with CBC News. It shows a request to Porter Airlines for help, using either a ramp, lift or stair climber — a type of mechanized chair that doesn't require manual lifting. A Porter Airlines spokesperson said based on the information that was gathered, Rogers and her daughter took the appropriate steps to inform both airlines of her mother's requirements. "We sincerely apologize that Mrs. Rogers did not receive the service she requested, or deserves," the spokesperson told CBC News. Pascan can't say why ramp wasn't used Marie-Pierre McKenzie, client experience director for Pascan Aviation, told CBC News in an email that while Pascan does not own a ramp in Sydney, it has rented one from Air Canada when needed. "I don't understand why they didn't rent the ramp from Air Canada as we did many times," wrote McKenzie. "But still the Washington chair is used in many stations from most airlines in regional airports." Officials with Pascan said the airline complies with standards from Transport Canada and the Canadian Transportation Agency. Among those standards, air carriers are required to meet disability-related needs in a manner that is safe and respects a person's dignity and autonomy. Pascan Airlines announced earlier this month it would no longer operate its Sydney to Halifax route, citing low passenger numbers. Rogers said she did not file an official complaint with Pascan, but she wants to empower seniors to speak up when they feel mistreated. "We can't just swallow these things," Rogers said.

Pascan adds new flight from Saint John to Québec City

CTV News

18-07-2025

Business
CTV News

Pascan adds new flight from Saint John to Québec City

Passengers check in for a flight with Pascan Aviation in Halifax. (Jonathan MacInnis/CTV Atlantic) Pascan Aviation has announced it is adding direct flights between Saint John, N.B., and Québec City. The Saint John Airport says the route will be convenient for people travelling for business or pleasure. 'Pascan has shown a genuine willingness to listen to our market,' said Lori Carle, manager of marketing, public and corporate relations with the airport, in a news release. 'By adjusting flight times and adding new destinations like Québec City, they're proving they want to make regional air service work for Saint John—and for our passengers.' The airport adds the route will eliminate lengthy drives or connections for New Brunswickers looking to explore more of Eastern Canada. Earlier this month, Pascan announced it would be ending its route between Halifax and Sydney, N.S., effective July 20. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.

Quebec-based airline ending flights between Halifax and Sydney airports

CBC

02-07-2025

Business
CBC

Quebec-based airline ending flights between Halifax and Sydney airports

A Quebec-based airline that started flying between Halifax and Sydney last fall is ending those flights. Pascan Aviation added the route in October, but in a news release, the company said the service will cease July 20. "Despite the best efforts of our dedicated team and the warm welcome from airport staff and local partners, passenger volumes have remained below the levels required to support continued operations," the airline said. Pascan, based in Saint-Hubert, Que., thanked the community, the McCurdy Sydney Airport team and passengers who bought tickets and said anyone who booked flights after July 20 will get a full refund. When Pascan opened the route last October, politicians, business owners and tourism officials cheered, because it had been nearly two years since a carrier had offered flights between Halifax and Sydney. In a release, Sydney airport authority CEO Myles Tuttle said staff will continue to work with airlines to improve service in the region. "We are disappointed with Pascan's decision to exit the market, but we recognize that the level of utilization required to maintain this route was not met," he said. Air Canada operates daily direct flights from the McCurdy Sydney Airport to Toronto and Montreal and WestJet flies twice a week from Sydney direct to Calgary. Tuttle thanked Pascan for its efforts and said travel on other flights continues to grow. "We are continuously seeing a steady increase in passenger traffic from Sydney year after year, reinforcing the strong demand for travel within our community," he said.

Pascan airlines cancels flights between Sydney and Halifax, N.S.