TREQ, a new low-cost co-op regional airline in Québec with a fleet of four Q400 announced that it will launch on May 1st. Their lifetime membership is also for sale at 10$ and they are hiring pilots.

Their initial routes will be between YQB, YUL, YBG, YWK, YGP, YGR, YUY and YZV. All of which were destinations suspended by Air Canada.

Gatineau, Mont-Tremblant, Mont-Joli, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières, Charlevoix and Baie-Comeau will come later.

From what is shown on their website, they already have their aircraft painted. And according to this article available only in French, they already have all their licenses and their funding to start on May 1st https://www.lequotidien.com/actualites/ ... 61712c2fa8

Their website in English with the prices of their tickets: https://treq.ca/en/

I will post a news article in English later when there will be one available.

Should we expect it to work or to fail as Québecair?

The article states that this "co-operative" will sign an association agreement with "a major Canadian airline" and will operate Q-400's.
If you pay $10 you can join their co-op.

This sounds bizarre-almost like some kid's fantasy airline. I agree that airfare prices are super high in Quebec so maybe........

We wanted to try something similar for the state of Sonora Mexico because everyone takes the bus due to high cost of the scant flying options. So we attempted to form a SC (society civil a type of non-profit corp) called Transporte Aéro Regional de Sonora ... It wasn't until we designed the letterhead and livery that our folly became evident: TARDS.

Ok... in all seriousness.

TReQ (Regional Transport of Quebec) is an interesting idea. Quebec is an iteresting place with incredible beauty. Having traveled quite a bit in Canada, there is a real sense of provincial pride in Quebec. It's very different than the rest. I could well imagine many citizens being willing to pay the scant $10 to give the co-op an initial boost. With a population of 8.5 million people. they might be able to raise a not so insignificant amount of money to help launch initial service. I imagine the Q400 leases are quite reasonable. They don't appear to have broken the bank with the livery...

I felt the same about the Maritimes as well. Very different culturally. another quite isolated part of Canada...

TREQ. I actually like the name. Q400's? Is Porter considered "a major Canadian airline" or are we talking WestJet/Air Canada? Given AC's Quebec HQ this seems like an easy-out for AC, let someone else take the RISQ (sic).

samuelx88 wrote:

Their initial routes will be between YQB, YUL, YBG, YWK, YGP, YGR, YUY and YZV. All of which were destinations suspended by Air Canada.

Are they angling for provincial government support with that? Maybe less directly from the Caisse?

How much of Quebec's traffic is strictly O&D intra-provincial?

I have to admit that the OP's destination list sent me to look up a bunch of airport codes.

MIflyer12 wrote:

samuelx88 wrote:

Their initial routes will be between YQB, YUL, YBG, YWK, YGP, YGR, YUY and YZV. All of which were destinations suspended by Air Canada.

I have to admit that the OP's destination list sent me to look up a bunch of airport codes.

I'm sorry about that. If I translate it to city names, it means Québec city, Montréal, Saguenay, Wabush, Gaspé, Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Rouyn-Noranda and Sept-Îles

Skywatcher wrote:

The article states that this "co-operative" will sign an association agreement with "a major Canadian airline" and will operate Q-400's.

.

When they restart, perhaps partner with Porter?

If not then, who else but AC, out of Quebec? I mean, these were 'surrendered' by AC previously, anyway.

WS does not have a large presence in the region (no WO, to Quebec at all?, no 8P style approach to handle the state, and more importantly - no WR presence save for at YUL).

If done well, and it captures Québécois well, it could be a decent 'home grown' airline that can work in the new realities well. If brand identity is done well, they could produce a decent product that would also be able to attract tourists and/or could be a decently boutique airline (and a decent space for marketing with local partners). I mean, Porter does well for what it does - and this carrier has many more options (for airports to serve) and the benefit of their experience. Here's to their success!

So what does the $10 get you? Are only people that pony up the ten bucks able to have the honor of buying tickets?
Seems like a pipe dream to me. Should have called themselves Quebec National Airways lol.

Rajahdhani wrote:

Skywatcher wrote:

The article states that this "co-operative" will sign an association agreement with "a major Canadian airline" and will operate Q-400's.

.

When they restart, perhaps partner with Porter?

If not then, who else but AC, out of Quebec? !

I also think they will partner with Porter because if you look at the route map, they connect their flights to Toronto from Montreal and Mont-Tremblant, both of which are already flown by Porter. AC also fly these routes but I would be very surprised if they get into partnership.

TREQ also mentionned in some previous news articles that they'll partner with another airline to connect passengers to Europe and to sun destinations from YQB and YUL. Since on the route map above, the colour is the same for both Europe and sun destinations, and since they show a direct flight of YQB-Europe, then it might probably mean that TREQ will partner with Air Transat out of YQB and YUL.

sprxUSA wrote:

So what does the $10 get you? Are only people that pony up the ten bucks able to have the honor of buying tickets?
Seems like a pipe dream to me. Should have called themselves Quebec National Airways lol.

No, it's like when you go to a co-op store for example. People who are member of the co-op just pay less for their tickets than non-members. And the profits of the airline are normally shared among all the members. And usually members can go vote for decisions in an assembly. It's a way for everyone to contribute in the economy regardless of your wealth. Cities, region, companies and airports can also be member of TREQ and invest in it from my understanding.

Serge Lariviere, the La Macaza / Mont Tremblant (YTM) airport manager, is one of the main driving force behind TREQ.

From La Macaza during the ski season, he was able to obtain flights to Toronto Bishop with Porter (Q400) and to Newark - way back with Continental Airlines (ERJ145). So he has marketing skills for sure.

We might expect Porter to be part of the plan. Not sure who else tought - Chorus aircraft leasing maybe? They have a bunch of Q400s...

I still find a 74 seater a little too big. Daily flights would definitely be too many seats for most of those markets.

FWIW, was born and raised north of Rouyn-Noranda (YUY)

sprxUSA wrote:

So what does the $10 get you? Are only people that pony up the ten bucks able to have the honor of buying tickets?
Seems like a pipe dream to me. Should have called themselves Quebec National Airways lol.

In order to belong to a co-op you need to become a member. In Canada we have a outdoorsy clothing store called MEC/Mountain Equipment Co-op. On your first visit, they charge you a $5 membership fee. You're then a lifetime member.

PAL are supposed to have new Q400s on the way and are a longstanding operator in Quebec. Might be them too. Could also be the new Air Georgian called Pivot Airlines that want to serve YKF from YOW, YUL and YQG post-pandemic and apparently want a mix of Q400s and CRJs.

Some of what TREQ is proposing makes zero sense on such a large aircraft though, even in good times. For intra-Quebec, YQB actually might make more sense to hub at than YUL...and they better time this to be a 4 aircraft hub or it has zero chance.

I assume not flying to any of the First Nations settlements' airfields in northern Quebec (Great Whale, etc.) is deliberate?

ExMilitaryEng wrote:

FWIW, was born and raised north of Rouyn-Noranda (YUY)

Are you old enough to remember when TCA/Air Canada flew Viscounts and later DC-9s into both Rouyn/Noranda and Val d'Or?

mga707 wrote:

I assume not flying to any of the First Nations settlements' airfields in northern Quebec (Great Whale, etc.) is deliberate?

74 seats to some of those destinations? Ooof!

mga707 wrote:

ExMilitaryEng wrote:

FWIW, was born and raised north of Rouyn-Noranda (YUY)

Are you old enough to remember when TCA/Air Canada flew Viscounts and later DC-9s into both Rouyn/Noranda and Val d'Or?

I'm old enough to have flown many times into Rouyn-Noranda/Val d'Or on an AC DC-9, on business (also Timmins, North Bay, etc). My first ever airplane flight was on an AC Viscount in 1969; my first ever aircraft flight was a Hughes 300 helicopter the year before.

I've also flown on Nordair, Wardair, Qubecair, Eastern Provinicial... and my own Beech Sundowner (sold it 3 years ago; great plane but like all planes a money pit and I'm now retired).

I've flown on CV580s, HS748s, DC-8s. Lived under the approaches to YUL as a kid and remember seeing Connies, DC-3/4/6/7s, C-46s, Viscounts, Vanguards, Britannias, CL44s flying over my head. Sometimes with one feathered! And once a Vanguard, real low, with two feathered...

I wish this new venture well, and hope their ambitions don't exceed their abilities like so many upstarts.

Beech (feeling old today)

mga707 wrote:

ExMilitaryEng wrote:

FWIW, was born and raised north of Rouyn-Noranda (YUY)

Are you old enough to remember when TCA/Air Canada flew Viscounts and later DC-9s into both Rouyn/Noranda and Val d'Or?

Well, I only have 1% of what Beechnut experienced, but yes I saw those Viscounts in Rouyn a couple time as a teen - was even able to see the cockpit once with the help of a relative at Air Canada. As you know, back then all flights prices where pre-set and indicated in the schedule pamphlets.

Later, from Val d'Or (YVD), I flew Quebecair F27 to Quebec City (was a young cadet going to CFB Valcartier).

Later, still from Val d'Or, flew Nordair 737-200 to YUL - on standby for $50 tax in.

And yes I flew those AC DC-9-30s from Rouyn many times (they smelled howfull due to the smokers in the back).

Afterward, YUY was downgraded to AC's Air Alliance DHC8-100s and we also got Inter-Canadien ATR-42s. (FWIW, Porter's Robert Duluce used to own Inter-Canadien)

samuelx88 wrote:

MIflyer12 wrote:

samuelx88 wrote:

Their initial routes will be between YQB, YUL, YBG, YWK, YGP, YGR, YUY and YZV. All of which were destinations suspended by Air Canada.

I have to admit that the OP's destination list sent me to look up a bunch of airport codes.

I'm sorry about that. If I translate it to city names, it means Québec city, Montréal, Saguenay, Wabush, Gaspé, Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Rouyn-Noranda and Sept-Îles

Thank you for that enhanced explanation. My remark wasn't intended as a complaint, but as acknowledgment that, beyond the top ~15 Canadian airports, I'm lost quickly.

samuelx88 wrote:

Their website in English with the prices of their tickets: https://treq.ca/en/

I love the accent in the video!!
and yes, the livery is quite basic but gets the job done

Well, one advantage they have these days is an availability of pilots and engineers, well, any staff really. Should be lots of people out there willing to work at this point.

"Lived under the approaches to YUL as a kid and remember seeing Connies, DC-3/4/6/7s, C-46s, Viscounts, Vanguards, Britannias, CL44s flying over my head."

Back when airplanes made real noise...I envy you for the radial engines you have heard. I can only imagine what a DC6, or DC7 must have sounded like on take off. I remember seeing (and hearing long before you could see it) the CL215 flying around Newfoundland at various times. What a distinctive and awesome sound. I know some jets are loud, I've heard F35's take off at airshows, but it's nothing like a radial. In my mind a loud jet is like an annoying neighbour, but the radial is like good music.

sprxUSA wrote:

So what does the $10 get you? Are only people that pony up the ten bucks able to have the honor of buying tickets?
Seems like a pipe dream to me. Should have called themselves Quebec National Airways lol.

You mean like Costo, Sam's club, BJ's or all the others immensely successful membership-only businesses out there ? humm

Thibault973 wrote:

sprxUSA wrote:

So what does the $10 get you? Are only people that pony up the ten bucks able to have the honor of buying tickets?
Seems like a pipe dream to me. Should have called themselves Quebec National Airways lol.

You mean like Costo, Sam's club, BJ's or all the others immensely successful membership-only businesses out there ? humm

Sort of, but not quite. Co-ops aren’t corporations. They’re more akin to a non-profit, where the profits are either reinvested in the business or (unlike a non-profit) can even be disbursed to the members (rare). It’s more likely to reinvest excess profits into lowering prices for members.

The proposed route map reminds me of the time when Burlington, VT had scheduled flights to places like Newport and Morrisville.

http://www.departedflights.com/UM081582.html

Nostalgia aside, I'm not going to hold my breath about seeing Montreal-Sherbrooke on a Q400. Maybe in 20 years on an autonomous all-electric drone taxi.

You mean like Costo, Sam's club, BJ's or all the others immensely successful membership-only businesses out there ? humm[/quote]

Sort of, but not quite. Co-ops aren’t corporations. They’re more akin to a non-profit, where the profits are either reinvested in the business or (unlike a non-profit) can even be disbursed to the members (rare). It’s more likely to reinvest excess profits into lowering prices for members.[/quote]

Yeah, I understood that, I was just referring to the statement "Are only people that pony up the ten bucks able to have the honor of buying tickets? Seems like a pipe dream to me" as if it wasn't the exact offer of some of the bigges companies in America.

B595 wrote:

The proposed route map reminds me of the time when Burlington, VT had scheduled flights to places like Newport and Morrisville.

http://www.departedflights.com/UM081582.html

Nostalgia aside, I'm not going to hold my breath about seeing Montreal-Sherbrooke on a Q400. Maybe in 20 years on an autonomous all-electric drone taxi.

Trois-Rivières also strikes me as extremely unlikely amongst the proposed routes. When was the last time YRQ had scheduled air service?

Dominion301 wrote:

Thibault973 wrote:

sprxUSA wrote:

So what does the $10 get you? Are only people that pony up the ten bucks able to have the honor of buying tickets?
Seems like a pipe dream to me. Should have called themselves Quebec National Airways lol.

You mean like Costo, Sam's club, BJ's or all the others immensely successful membership-only businesses out there ? humm

Sort of, but not quite. Co-ops aren’t corporations. They’re more akin to a non-profit, where the profits are either reinvested in the business or (unlike a non-profit) can even be disbursed to the members (rare). It’s more likely to reinvest excess profits into lowering prices for members.

There's a long-established co-op that many Americans will know: REI (the outdoor clothing/gear vendor). They're in 39 U.S. states but don't have any stores in Canada, I don't believe.

MIflyer12 wrote:

Dominion301 wrote:

Thibault973 wrote:

You mean like Costo, Sam's club, BJ's or all the others immensely successful membership-only businesses out there ? humm

Sort of, but not quite. Co-ops aren’t corporations. They’re more akin to a non-profit, where the profits are either reinvested in the business or (unlike a non-profit) can even be disbursed to the members (rare). It’s more likely to reinvest excess profits into lowering prices for members.

There's a long-established co-op that many Americans will know: REI (the outdoor clothing/gear vendor). They're in 39 U.S. states but don't have any stores in Canada, I don't believe.

No REIs in Canada, I don't know how the co-OP model would work internationally, and Canada already has the well established MEC that partners with many of the same manufacturers.

sprxUSA wrote:

So what does the $10 get you? Are only people that pony up the ten bucks able to have the honor of buying tickets?
Seems like a pipe dream to me. Should have called themselves Quebec National Airways lol.

Why Quebec National Airlines, neither the Canadian government nor the Quebec goverment have any involvement?

There are many successful co-ops south of the border too. From utility providers to grocery stores. As far as I know a co-OP airline is a new idea, but why not?

ExMilitaryEng wrote:

mga707 wrote:

ExMilitaryEng wrote:

FWIW, was born and raised north of Rouyn-Noranda (YUY)

Are you old enough to remember when TCA/Air Canada flew Viscounts and later DC-9s into both Rouyn/Noranda and Val d'Or?

Well, I only have 1% of what Beechnut experienced, but yes I saw those Viscounts in Rouyn a couple time as a teen - was even able to see the cockpit once with the help of a relative at Air Canada. As you know, back then all flights prices where pre-set and indicated in the schedule pamphlets.

Later, from Val d'Or (YVD), I flew Quebecair F27 to Quebec City (was a young cadet going to CFB Valcartier).

Later, still from Val d'Or, flew Nordair 737-200 to YUL - on standby for $50 tax in.

And yes I flew those AC DC-9-30s from Rouyn many times (they smelled howfull due to the smokers in the back).

Afterward, YUY was downgraded to AC's Air Alliance DHC8-100s and we also got Inter-Canadien ATR-42s. (FWIW, Porter's Robert Duluce used to own Inter-Canadien)

Deluce didn't own Inter Canadien. He owned Air Ontario.

HVNandrew wrote:

Nostalgia aside, I'm not going to hold my breath about seeing Montreal-Sherbrooke on a Q400. Maybe in 20 years on an autonomous all-electric drone taxi.

Trois-Rivières also strikes me as extremely unlikely amongst the proposed routes. When was the last time YRQ had scheduled air service?[/quote]

I think once upon a time Air Canada had a Viscount drop in on a regular basis. Can't say for sure if there's been anything since, but there is a fair bit of heavy (heavier than GA) metal that goes to Trois-Rivières for maintenance. There have been 737s and CRJs. I believe AC even parked some 737-8 MAX during the early part of the grounding.

Beech

samuelx88 wrote:

Rajahdhani wrote:

Skywatcher wrote:

The article states that this "co-operative" will sign an association agreement with "a major Canadian airline" and will operate Q-400's.

.

When they restart, perhaps partner with Porter?

If not then, who else but AC, out of Quebec? !

I also think they will partner with Porter because if you look at the route map, they connect their flights to Toronto from Montreal and Mont-Tremblant, both of which are already flown by Porter. AC also fly these routes but I would be very surprised if they get into partnership.

TREQ also mentionned in some previous news articles that they'll partner with another airline to connect passengers to Europe and to sun destinations from YQB and YUL. Since on the route map above, the colour is the same for both Europe and sun destinations, and since they show a direct flight of YQB-Europe, then it might probably mean that TREQ will partner with Air Transat out of YQB and YUL.

Perhaps a partnership with Porter would work. Flights from N Ontario with it's large Francophone community could benefit from flights to Quebec in such a partnership.

yyztpa2 wrote:

samuelx88 wrote:

Rajahdhani wrote:

.

When they restart, perhaps partner with Porter?

If not then, who else but AC, out of Quebec? !

I also think they will partner with Porter because if you look at the route map, they connect their flights to Toronto from Montreal and Mont-Tremblant, both of which are already flown by Porter. AC also fly these routes but I would be very surprised if they get into partnership.

TREQ also mentionned in some previous news articles that they'll partner with another airline to connect passengers to Europe and to sun destinations from YQB and YUL. Since on the route map above, the colour is the same for both Europe and sun destinations, and since they show a direct flight of YQB-Europe, then it might probably mean that TREQ will partner with Air Transat out of YQB and YUL.

Perhaps a partnership with Porter would work. Flights from N Ontario with it's large Francophone community could benefit from flights to Quebec in such a partnership.

That's true, they should connect Francophone communities across eastern Canada together

I also wonder if TREQ might expend further east into New Brunswick and the maritime since Air Canada terminated a lot of routes there. Right now, treq's only destination out of Quebec is Wabush in Labrador

samuelx88 wrote:

yyztpa2 wrote:

samuelx88 wrote:

I also wonder if TREQ might expend further east into New Brunswick and the maritime since Air Canada terminated a lot of routes there. Right now, treq's only destination out of Quebec is Wabush in Labrador

Isn't Wabush right on or near the Quebec border, with a Quebec town on the other side? Haven't checked my road atlas.

mga707 wrote:

samuelx88 wrote:

yyztpa2 wrote:

Isn't Wabush right on or near the Quebec border, with a Quebec town on the other side? Haven't checked my road atlas.

Yes, Wabush airport also serves Fermont, the city with a wall, in Québec

samuelx88 wrote:

yyztpa2 wrote:

samuelx88 wrote:

I also think they will partner with Porter because if you look at the route map, they connect their flights to Toronto from Montreal and Mont-Tremblant, both of which are already flown by Porter. AC also fly these routes but I would be very surprised if they get into partnership.

TREQ also mentionned in some previous news articles that they'll partner with another airline to connect passengers to Europe and to sun destinations from YQB and YUL. Since on the route map above, the colour is the same for both Europe and sun destinations, and since they show a direct flight of YQB-Europe, then it might probably mean that TREQ will partner with Air Transat out of YQB and YUL.

Perhaps a partnership with Porter would work. Flights from N Ontario with it's large Francophone community could benefit from flights to Quebec in such a partnership.

That's true, they should connect Francophone communities across eastern Canada together

I also wonder if TREQ might expend further east into New Brunswick and the maritime since Air Canada terminated a lot of routes there. Right now, treq's only destination out of Quebec is Wabush in Labrador

Most Franco-Ontarians don’t have close ties with Quebec and vice versa. I personally know a lot of Franco-Ontarians that have zero family in Quebec.

I’ve mentioned to Quebecers in casual conversation many times how there are over 1/2 million francophones in Ontario. Most Quebecers are dumbfounded to learn that. One time though I spoke to a guy who lived for a few years in Cornwall, so he was aware, but few are. A Franco-Ontarian friend of mine said she once went to YQB to celebrate St-Jean. She brought a Franco-Ontarian flag and people were constantly asking her what it was.

There’s a reason why nobody’s ever flown YUL-YTS or YSB and why Air Creebec’s Ontario and Quebec routes don’t connect. The one time they tried it, it didn’t last long.

The point raised though about an interline with Porter makes sense though.

How come nobody picked up on Gatineau being basically YOW? Right across the river.

Chickapuss wrote:

How come nobody picked up on Gatineau being basically YOW? Right across the river.

Before the pandemic, Gatineau had flights to YQB with Air Liaison. I'm not sure if flights to YUL would work out though, considering it's only 2 hours by car (and with flights/trains/buses from Ottawa if you don't want to drive).

I'm sorry but this is fantasy. The only way Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivieres could work is a flight to YYZ and even then it would have to be on a B-1900 or something else of that size. Even then, that type of flying is in decline all over North America. The Q-400 is too much aircraft for everything else except maybe YUL-Rouyn, Saguenay,Sept Iles & Quebec City but all these routes already have entrenched operators with smaller aircraft. Montreal-Mt.Tremblant and Mont-Tremblant-Charlevoix? Seriously?