News

Effective September 28, 2009, Bearskin Airlines will increase service between the Region of Waterloo International Airport and Ottawa International Airport from three flights to four flights each business day. Sunday service will also be increased from one flight to two flights.

In addition to the extra frequency, flight times have been enhanced to better meet customer preferences and facilitate improved connections to Northeastern Ontario via Ottawa.

"Our customers have been asking us for more flight options between Waterloo and Ottawa," commented Ron Hell, Director of Marketing & Sales for Bearskin Airlines, "especially more choices in the evening and an earlier morning departure from Ottawa. We're certain that these schedule enhancements will dramatically increase the value of our service to the business community."

Bearskin Airlines launched nonstop service between Waterloo Region and Ottawa on October 1, 2007 following a request from the Region of Waterloo International Airport and subsequent surveys of the business community indicating support for the service. High frequency service and participation in the Aeroplan Frequent Flyer Program are geared to serving the business community who commute regularly between Waterloo Region and Ottawa.

Nonstop flights are just 70 minutes verses two to three hours when compared to the use of Toronto's Pearson Terminal and associated drive to/from Waterloo Region. Bearskin's service can save business traveler's as much as four or five hours on a same day return trip.

"It is great to see Bearskin Airlines' Ottawa air service enhanced," said Ken Seiling, Regional Chair. "The increased frequency will provide greater convenience for our community and save precious travel time by providing a local alternative for air travellers."

Bearskin Airlines utilizes the 19 passenger Fairchild Metroliner on this route. The Fairchild Metro was designed specifically to serve the regional airline market. Since its introduction, more than 1,000 Metros and Merlins have been built, making the Metro and its derivatives the most popular regional aircraft in the industry. Bearskin operates 14 Fairchild Metroliners. Equipped with twin turbine engines, these pressurized aircraft offer exceptional speed and range and are ideally suited for business commuter traffic. Every passenger receives a window and aisle seat in this two row, centre aisle configured aircraft.

This expansion of service coincides with Bearskin Airlines 2nd Anniversary of service to the Waterloo Region as well as Thanksgiving weekend and local Oktoberfest celebrations. Sale fares are available until September 6, 2009 starting at $99. one way plus taxes and surcharges. Double Aeroplan Miles are also offered between September 15 and October 15, 2009.

The Region of Waterloo International Airport is located along the HWY 401 corridor and is central to Waterloo Region, deemed Canada's Technology Triangle. The urban cluster created by the communities of Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge is home to 500,000 people and represents' the tenth largest economy in Canada and the fifth largest in Ontario.

Founded in 1963, Bearskin Airlines is one of Canada's oldest privately owned commuter airlines offering over 100 scheduled flights daily to 17 destinations from Flin Flon and Winnipeg in the west to Ottawa in the east. Waterloo Region is the southernmost destination served. Named after the Northern Ontario community of Bearskin Lake, the company maintains major bases of operation in Thunder Bay and Sioux Lookout and employs over 250 people. Bearskin Airlines has provided a direct link between Ottawa and Northern Ontario since 1993.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ron Hell
Director Marketing & Sales
rhell@bearskinairlines.com

Bearskin Airlines today announced the introduction of Through Fares between Northeastern Ontario and the Region of Waterloo International Airport. A through fare is a fare to a destination reached by traveling through a gateway city. The gateway city between Northeastern Ontario and Waterloo is Ottawa.

Since launching service between Ottawa and the Region of Waterloo Airport in October 2007, fares between Northeastern Ontario and Waterloo have been calculated by combining two sector fares.
i.e. Waterloo to Ottawa and Ottawa to Sudbury.

New Through Fares represents substantial savings from the combination of two sector fares and are available for travel between Waterloo and Sudbury, Sault Ste Marie, Timmins, North Bay and Kapuskasing, via Ottawa.

" We did not expect much demand for our service between Northeastern Ontario and the Region of Waterloo International Airport," commented Harvey Friesen, President of the company, "so we've not offered any through pricing until now."

Telephone and email inquiries about service between Waterloo and Northeastern Ontario have been greater than expected. Since many inquiries have been leisure oriented to visit family and friends, a decision was made to introduce Through Fares in advance of the summer season.

On October 1, 2007 Bearskin Airlines launched three round trip flights each business day as well as Sunday service between the Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF) and Ottawa International Airport (YOW). Up to four hours can be saved on a return flight by using this nonstop service as compared to the use of Toronto's Pearson terminal and the associated drive to and from Waterloo Region.

Bearskin has since added a forth flight on Fridays to service strong demand and new Saturday service commences March 29, 2008.

"Introductory Through Fares are as low as $149 one way between Waterloo and Sudbury and the connection ranges from as low as 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours," commented Cliff Friesen, Executive Vice President of the airline," and that's faster than driving to Toronto and flying to Sudbury."

Introductory Through Fares are available now for travel ending September 2, 2008.

Bearskin Airlines celebrates its 45th Anniversary in 2008 and is one of Canada's oldest privately owned commuter airlines. With the addition of service to the Region of Waterloo International Airport the company offers over 100 scheduled flights daily to 17 destinations from Flin Flon and Winnipeg in the west to Ottawa in the east. Waterloo Region is the southernmost destination served. Named after the Northern Ontario community of Bearskin Lake, the company maintains major bases of operation in Thunder Bay and Sioux Lookout and employs over 250 people. Bearskin Airlines has provided a direct link between Ottawa and Northeastern Ontario since 1993.

Schedule

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ron Hell
Director Marketing & Sales
www.bearskinairlines.com

Bearskin Airlines today announced increased frequency of service between Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout and Kenora effective April 28 through June 27, 2008.

One additional flight will be offered each weekday departing Kenora at 11:00am and arriving in Thunder Bay at 1:40pm after a brief stop in Sioux Lookout. Return service will depart Thunder Bay at 4:00pm and arrive in Kenora at 4:35pm via Sioux Lookout.

This additional Thunder Bay-Sioux Lookout nonstop service features connections in Thunder Bay to Toronto jet service as well as Bearskin Airlines service to Sault Ste Marie, Sudbury, Timmins North Bay and Ottawa. Northern connections are also featured with Wasaya Airways in Sioux Lookout. A total of five round trip flights will be offered each weekday as well as weekend service for the spring season.

Additional one stop service between Kenora-Thunder Bay also features connections in Thunder Bay and brings Kenora service to four flights daily for the busy spring season.

"We're pleased to offer this enhanced service for the busy spring season." commented Harvey Friesen, President of the airline," and I'm optimistic we'll be able to do it again for the fall season staring in September."

Bearskin Airlines celebrates its 45th Anniversary in 2008 and is one of Canada's oldest privately owned commuter airlines. With the addition of service to the Region of Waterloo International Airport the company offers over 100 scheduled flights daily to 17 destinations from Flin Flon and Winnipeg in the west to Ottawa in the east. Waterloo Region is the southernmost destination served. Named after the Northern Ontario community of Bearskin Lake, the company maintains major bases of operation in Thunder Bay and Sioux Lookout and employs over 250 people. Bearskin Airlines has been offering service between Thunder Bay and Sioux Lookout since 1978. The company has been serving Kenora since 1980 when scheduled service was offered linking Sioux Lookout, Kenora and Winnipeg.

In addition to our normal schedule we now offer the following flights as part of our expanded schedule.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ron Hell
Director Marketing & Sales
www.bearskinairlines.com

Effective May 30th through September 8th, 2008, Bearskin Airlines will offer seasonal scheduled service between Winnipeg and Lynn Lake, Manitoba for a third season.

This one stop service via Flin Flon, Manitoba is the only same aircraft service offered between Winnipeg and Lynn Lake.

Bearskin Airlines' original decision to commence Lynn Lake service is related to demand from seasonal fishing resort operators. Each season, more flights have been offered to meet the increasing demand from seasonal resort operators as well as the business community and local residents travelling for leisure and medical purposes.

"Although this service was originally geared to benefit the tourism industry," commented Cliff Friesen, Executive Vice President for Bearskin Airlines. "Each year it is being embraced by more people including the business community and local residents travelling for leisure and medical purposes. There is no faster way to travel between Winnipeg and Lynn Lake."

43 Round trip flights will be offered this season, departing Winnipeg at 6:15am and departing Lynn Lake at 9:15am. Flights are just 2 hours and 30 minutes including enroute stop in Flin Flon.

Bearskin Airlines celebrates its 45th Anniversary in 2008 and is one of Canada's oldest privately owned commuter airlines. Including Lynn Lake, the company offers over 100 scheduled flights daily to 17 destinations from Flin Flon and Winnipeg in the west to Ottawa in the east. Waterloo Region is the southernmost destination served. Named after the Northern Ontario community of Bearskin Lake, the company maintains major bases of operation in Thunder Bay and Sioux Lookout and employs over 250 people. Bearskin Airlines has served Winnipeg since 1980 when they commenced service from Sioux Lookout.

Today Bearskin Airlines offers same aircraft service between Winnipeg and Flin Flon, The Pas, Red Lake, Sioux Lookout, Kenora, Dryden, Fort Frances and Thunder Bay.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ron Hell
Director Marketing & Sales
www.bearskinairlines.com

Bearskin Airlines today announced the addition of Saturday service between Waterloo Region and Ottawa commencing Saturday March 29, 2008.

On October 1, 2007 Bearskin Airlines launched three round trip flights each business day as well as Sunday service between the Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF) and Ottawa International Airport (YOW). A forth flight has since been added on Fridays. Up to four hours can be saved on a return trip flight by using this nonstop service as compared to the use of Toronto’s Pearson terminal and the associated drive to and from Waterloo Region.

Bearskin's decision to add service on Saturdays is related to demand from the community.

"The addition of a Saturday flight will make our service more convenient to business and leisure customers" commented Cliff Friesen, Executive Vice President of the airline, "Daily service is a logical progression as we become more established in the market and begin to expand to better meet everyone's needs."

For a limited time, these new flights are being offered at fares starting as low as $79. one way plus taxes and surcharges.

Founded in 1963, Bearskin Airlines is one of Canada's oldest privately owned commuter airlines. With the addition of service to the Region of Waterloo International Airport the company offers over 100 scheduled flights daily to 17 destinations from Flin Flon and Winnipeg in the west to Ottawa in the east. Waterloo Region is the southernmost destination served. Named after the Northern Ontario community of Bearskin Lake, the company maintains major bases of operation in Thunder Bay and Sioux Lookout and employs over 250 people. Bearskin Airlines has provided a direct link between Ottawa and Northern Ontario since 1993.

Schedule Effective March 29, 2008

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ron Hell
Director Marketing & Sales
rhell@bearskinairlines.com

Effective October 1, 2007, Bearskin Airlines will commence scheduled air service to the Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF).

The Region of Waterloo International Airport is located along the HWY 401 corridor and is central to Waterloo Region, deemed Canada's Technology Triangle. The urban cluster created by the communities of Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge is home to close to 500,000 people and represents' the tenth largest economy in Canada and the fifth largest in Ontario.

Three round trip flights will be offered each business day as well as Sunday service between the Region of Waterloo International Airport and Ottawa International Airport (YOW). Up to four hours can be saved on a round trip flight by using this new nonstop service as compared to the use of Toronto's Pearson terminal and the associated drive to and from Waterloo Region.

Bearskin Airlines will utilize the 19 passenger Fairchild Metroliner to provide this new service. The Fairchild Metro was designed specifically to serve the regional airline market. Since its introduction, more than 1,000 Metros and Merlins have been built, making the Metro and its derivatives the most popular regional aircraft in the industry. Bearskin operates 13 Fairchild Metroliners. Equipped with twin turbine engines, these pressurized aircraft offer exceptional speed and range. Every passenger receives a window and aisle seat in this two row, centre aisle configured aircraft.

Regular one way business fares will range between $149 and $339 plus taxes and surcharges. Introductory fares, Senior Discounts, Meeting & Convention fares as well as periodic sale fares will also be offered. To celebrate the launch of this new service as well as the Kitchener/Waterloo Oktoberfest Celebration, Oktoberfest fares are available for sale until September 30th 2007 at $79. one way plus taxes and surcharges.
Bearskin's decision to commence Ottawa-Waterloo Region service follows a request from the Region of Waterloo International Airport as well as subsequent surveys of the business community. Companies and travel agencies in the region completed over 500 surveys and of those who responded, 98% indicated support for nonstop service between Ottawa-Waterloo Region.

"Clearly there is pent up demand within the business community for a convenient service between Ottawa and Waterloo Region," 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 Terminal and the Waterloo Region."

Participation in the Aeroplan Frequent Flyer Program and primetime morning and evening service are geared to serving the business community who commute regularly. It is expected that the convenience of the Region of Waterloo International Airport will be embraced by the frequent business traveller. This service is expected to be particularly convenient for those in the high tech and financial industry with offices in Ottawa and Waterloo Region.

"Many people who live in Ottawa and the Kitchener/Waterloo Region use us now when they fly within Northern Ontario," commented Cliff Friesen, Executive Vice President of Bearskin Airlines, "I'm certain that these same customers will be pleased to take advantage of the convenience we'll offer them from Waterloo, and they are certainly familiar with our ability to deliver a reliable, sustainable service."

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ron Hell
Director Marketing & Sales
rhell@bearskinairlines.com