Bearskin Airlines launches non-stop service to Montreal

Waterloo Region - Effective May 1, 2011, Bearskin Airlines will launch daily non-stop service between Waterloo Region and Montreal’s Trudeau Airport.  The service will commence with five flights each business day; three non-stop flights and two one-stop flights via Ottawa.   A reduced weekend schedule will also be available. 

“Our community now has the opportunity to fly to Montreal without having to drive to Toronto, and receive the same great service and frequency that our existing Ottawa passengers enjoy,” said Chris Wood, General Manager of the Region of Waterloo International Airport.  “Demand to Montreal is very strong, and we are sure our local businesses will benefit from this new non-stop service.  We are proud partners of Bearskin Airlines and are thrilled they chose to expand in our market.”

Bearskin Airlines has provided service to Ottawa from Waterloo Region since October 2007.  Today, Bearskin Airlines provides 30 non-stop flights each week to Ottawa from Waterloo Region and their goal is to replicate their success with this Montreal service.  Participation in the Aeroplan Frequent Flyer Program and prime morning and evening slot times geared toward the business community is what passengers have asked for, and that is exactly what they are getting. 

“Clearly there is pent up demand within the business community for a convenient service between Waterloo Region and Montreal,” commented Harvey Friesen, President of Bearskin Airlines. “ We’ll fly between these cities in less time than it takes to drive between Toronto’s Pearson Airport and the Waterloo Region.”

Save up to four hours round-trip by flying from Waterloo Region instead of Toronto and collect Aeroplan points with every mile.  Regular one way airfares will range between $158 and $499 plus taxes and surcharges. Senior Discounts, Student Standby Fares, Meeting & Convention Fares and periodic sale fares will also be offered. To celebrate the launch of this new service fares are available for sale until April 30, 2011 starting at $119 one way plus taxes and surcharges.

Following are the details of service (Beginning May 1, 2011):

Kitchener/Waterloo (YKF) to Montreal (YUL)

 Montreal (YUL) to Kitchener/Waterloo (YKF)

Founded in 1963, Bearskin Airlines is named after the Northern Ontario community of Bearskin Lake. No other airline offers more scheduled service linking Northern Ontario’s key cities. Thunder Bay, Sudbury and Winnipeg serve as hubs for Bearskin, linking Northern Ontario’s largest cities and facilitating connections to Canada’s major airlines.

With the addition of Montreal, Bearskin will offer more than 100 scheduled departures daily to 18 destinations in Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. Bearskin Airlines maintains major bases of operation in Thunder Bay and Sioux Lookout and employs 285 people.

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The Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF) is a full service modern facility which supports commercial, corporate and general aviation and is owned and operated by the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. Daily scheduled air service is provided by: WestJet, offering daily non-stop flights to Calgary with connections to other great Canadian cities; and Bearskin Airlines, offering daily flights to Ottawa and now Montreal.  Weekly non-stop service to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic is provided by Sunwing Airlines from December through March. For more information visit http://www.waterlooairport.ca/ or call, toll free at 1-866-648-2256.