Jack Garland Airport is hoping to attract more business to the northern Ontario airport.
Bryan Avery, Airport Manager at North Bay Jack Garland Airport Corporation, says they are trying to promote the airport, including a recent promotional article in Wings magazine, a Canadian national aviation publication.
"It’s part of a campaign that we worked closely with the City of North Bay on to continue to bring awareness to the capabilities at the North Bay Airport and throughout the city; to inform and assist those maybe new to their roles in airline dispatch, logistics coordination, or who are aircrew that have changed airline operations over the past few years," explained Avery.
"There’s been a lot of change throughout the industry so we wanted to take the initiative to educate everyone of options to help their day-to-day operations as well as support their growth."
Avery says North Bay remains on the flight path of many airlines flying throughout Canada and internationally which makes Jack Garland Airport an ideal and practical diversion option.
"Whether coast to coast or to and from Europe we often work with airlines that are looking to prepare for operations that may require them to land at another airport temporarily," noted Avery.
"Those same capabilities can assist a diverting airliner but they also provide for an excellent base of operations for flight training and testing. This applies to pilots looking to add experience as they transition to different aircraft types or different airlines, as well as to manufacturers needing to flight test aircraft during their production and delivery processes. For many years we’ve seen Bombardier aircraft built at other airports come to North Bay to conduct this testing, while also seeing Royal Canadian Air Force fly to North Bay to provide experience and qualification check flights. The infrastructure and airspace is conducive to this type of aviation operation."
Avery says diversions usually occur due to weather.
"These larger airline aircraft diversionary events happen approximately six times a year," he explained.
"Obviously sometimes more or less, and sometimes times one event can result in several aircraft coming to North Bay at once. Most of these diversions actually occur in the spring, summer, and fall seasons when significant thunderstorms with lightning, very high winds, etc. can cause unexpected delays. With that in mind we wanted to be part of the planning cycle for the airlines as they prepare their post-winter operations. There’s many reasons for diversions however, so it’s possible anytime.
Avery notes the 10,000-foot runway is also a benefit.
"The long runway and available services allow for any aircraft to be diverted to North Bay," said Avery.
"The congestion-free airspace allows for airlines to quickly return to normal operations and get back on their way to their original destination. We’ve had conversations with aircrew after that they were able to divert, land, refuel, and be back on their way faster than other aircrew within the same airline who decided to divert to Southern Ontario or even Northern U.S.A. airports because they weren’t fifth or more in line for servicing.
"This greatly helps airlines in managing their schedules where further delays can have knock-on effects throughout their network’s schedule."
