Toronto-area business travellers may soon have a new airline to choose for flights to the Northeast and Midwest United States.
Boston-based jet charter operator Waltzing Matilda Aviation (WMA) is in the process of completing regulatory approvals to launch Connect Airlines this fall.
The airline will connect Toronto Billy Bishop City Airport with airports in the Northeast and Midwest United States. Due to begin operations in OCT 2021, it targets “day-tripping business travellers” using the Canadian built Q400 turboprop aircraft, says WMA.
According to SimpleFlying, the Bombardier Q400 aircraft have a range of about 2,000 kilometers and can cruise up to 667 kilometers an hour -- that gives the plane the capacity to reach half the United States landmass from YTZ and opens up many possible airports.
"We are passionate about how aviation brings people, cultures and business together. Especially in these challenging times, we are committed to delivering the world's most rewarding premium travel experience with safety, service, convenience and reliability,” says John Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of WMA.
WMA plans to operate both scheduled and non-scheduled services, SimpleFlying reports. The business has been operating since 2008 and currently has two business jets in its fleet – a Citation Bravo and Citation Excel.
Subject to securing the slots at Billy Bishop Airport, a further five Q400 aircraft could be flying within 18 months.
Thomas is a former executive at Virgin Australia and currently sits on the boards of Canada’s Skyservice Investments and Reykjavík-based Icelandair, SimpleFlying reports. He is also an advisor to ATM Consultants and supersonic flight startup Spike Aerospace.
The airline’s launch remains subject to regulatory approvals.
