Mayor Lantz gets flight pass info from Air Canada

Friday, February 5, 2010

Photo: Mayor Bruce Lantz is looking for answers regarding Air Canada's Flight Pass policy - file photo.

By Christine Rumleskie

Mayor Bruce Lantz has received a letter from Air Canada, and he says it's not the kind of reply he was hoping for.

Late last year, Fort St. John City Council discovered that the price for flight passes will double in this region. In addition, the passes will now be restricted to 25 people, rather than 300 as before, and will not be accepted for flights to Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Mayor Lantz wanted clarification on why the Northeast was being targeted for the increase, so he wrote a letter to Air Canada expressing his concerns. But he says he was disappointed in the company's response.

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The letter Air Canada sent indicates that some flight pass zones have been 'updated' to better reflect customer travel needs. In doing so, Air Canada claims the prices had to be adjusted. The company says the majority of locations have seen a price drop from the zone shift.

However, Air Canada says prices are now significantly higher in the Territories, Northern B.C. and Newfoundland. The carrier explains that the fares had to be increased to bring them in line with other rates.

Mayor Lantz says he's going to corner Air Canada President and CEO Calin Rovinescu at the Vancouver Board of Trade conference in March.

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Although Lantz has written to Westjet and other airline companies, he says the letters have yet to generate discussion.

The issue has caught the attention of Prince Rupert, which voiced its support for Lantz' crusade.

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Air Canada makes no sense!

Submitted by Luvtheson on Fri, 2010/02/05 - 17:16.

"'updated' to better reflect customer travel needs. In doing so, Air Canada claims the prices had to be adjusted. " Yet another slap in the face for Fort St John residents. If your looking for a deal, you have to look pretty hard to find one in Fort St John. All airport leasing costs are going up at the airport, which may in part be responsible for this latest move on Air Canada's part. Thanks to the major for taking this on , it 's just beginning I suspect.

NOBODY IS GOING TO CARE ABOUT THIS MARKET

Submitted by Jays4ever on Sat, 2010/02/06 - 12:46.

Lance is delusional when it comes to air line in this topic. He actually things they are going to care and bend for such a small market. Why would they, what's in it for them. Air Canada flies into FSJ three times a day and out three times a day; no intelligent person can seriously think they are going to care. The market is too small and air Canada has bigger fish to fry. Lance can corner the president and CEO at the trade conference in March if he wants to but he is going to get a taste of his own medicine by the mean of a political smart answer that will leave him dissatisfied. Why is our mayor going to such a conference anyways? Tax payers shouldn’t be paying for his trip for a useless crusade.

Talking tough............

Submitted by winglet on Sun, 2010/02/07 - 06:45.

That's what FSJ needs the mayor to bully the AC president!! What a baffoon!!! Lantz leave the talking to the airlines to your tourism and EDC people. If the town lets Lantz go to this conference in March.... ah, but you will and he will again do more damage than good. GP already has 33% of its business from the FSJ area and with Bruce Lantz as the FSJ marketing expert, soon GP will have 100%....