New Canadian start-up Toronto's downtown island Billy Bishop airport, operating Dash8-Q400. Hopefully they will find a niche market and not just copying Porter Airlines. After TREQ the second new airline this year in Canada with Dash8-Q400. Good luck!

http://www.waltzingmatildaaviation.org/ ... r-service/
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-release ... 64847.html

This sounded like an Australian airline at first.

How is this a Canadian startup? They seem pretty American based to me.

Regardless, it will never fly. Ever.

The only way they can do that is for Ports Toronto to strip Porter of some slots. Also, they’d need domestic feed.

Wasn't there a Connect Airlines in the US back in the 1970's or 80's?

I'd love to fly to visit family in Toronto. The airfares pre-Covid between CLE and Toronto were outrageous. Hopefully it will be priced less than AC.

Dominion301 wrote:

The only way they can do that is for Ports Toronto to strip Porter of some slots. Also, they’d need domestic feed.

I understand that Porter effectively gave up some slots on the ‘slower’ days (which I would read as Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday). I have not managed to find any public confirmation of this, just what I was told when I asked others who might know more (I had the same assumption that slots would be hard to come by).

I do remember back in around 2017 the schedule became far more dynamic out of Ottawa at least - as the week progressed, the balance of departures shifted from a heavier morning focus (Monday/Tuesday) to a much heavier evening focus later (Thursday/Friday). And certainly during the winter, Tuesday and Wednesday used to be quite a lot quieter - not as many RON, etc. Although, that may have just been playing the 80/20 game that often applies at slot controlled facilities (ie LHR).

Of course, going from 0 to 172 slots in short order would likely be a tall order for Porter, given their market and model, so perhaps they may find themselves stripped of slots in the event waivers aren’t provided for the use it or lose it system. Air Canada, too, with their 30 slots may have a decision to make with regards to returning to the YUL-YTZ route. 15 daily departures would be a good start for this new venture.

Good luck to anyone who wants to start service in that particular market at this particular time.

I have not heard one positive thing said about the ex-Flybe Q400's by anyone, ever.
Flybe was cash-strapped for ages, and had a real hard time keeping what is already a very needy (Bombardier prefers the word "sophisticated") fleet type going until the end.
They're in rough shape... to put it mildly.
Best of luck to these idiots who think they'll have a successful business with these tired birds!

AA737-823 wrote:

I have not heard one positive thing said about the ex-Flybe Q400's by anyone, ever.
Flybe was cash-strapped for ages, and had a real hard time keeping what is already a very needy (Bombardier prefers the word "sophisticated") fleet type going until the end.
They're in rough shape... to put it mildly.
Best of luck to these idiots who think they'll have a successful business with these tired birds!

True, especially as the silverware of FlyBe Dash8 fleet was already taken up by Canadian aerial firefighting specialist Conair Group. I guess only the junk like G-JECK, G-JECX, G-JEDU is left...

wedgetail737 wrote:

Wasn't there a Connect Airlines in the US back in the 1970's or 80's?

There was a Connectair that flew colorful F-27s LAX-SBA for short time mid 80s timeframe.

airman99o wrote:

https://canadianaviationnews.wordpress.com/2021/05/04/flyht-signs-waltzing-matilda-aviations-new-brand-connect-airlines/

Seems things are going in the right direction for this airline.

I’m curious how they are going to get slots at YTZ.

Pre-covid, they were 100% allocated with Porter holding 95% and Air Canada, the rest. Air Canada had requested more, and Westjet and United also had applied for slots, all were denied.

It seems like Porter better get back in the air quickly to protect not just their slots, but their turf.

Chorus Aviation Agrees to Lease Two Dash 8-400 Aircraft to Connect Airlines

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/choru ... 1628088186

DOT FIling
https://www.regulations.gov/document/DO ... -0046-0001

But initial routes are listed as:
YTZ-BOS, YTZ-JFK, YTZ-PHL, YTZ-ORD, YTZ-BWI, BOS-BWI, BOS-PHL.

Q-400 at JFK and on BOS-BWI/PHL. That's gonna be interesting! Is it gonna work though?

Do current mainline scope clauses allow for unlimited turboprops?

Whatever they do .. they -need- to call themselves "Waltzing Matilda" instead. That is THE most whacked out, cracked out name I have ever heard for an airline (maybe after "Suckling Airways") . "Waltzing Matilda Air" will get WAY more attention than "Connect" ... lol

Does this company have any connection to Australia? Seems strange to call themselves "Waltzing Matilda Aviation" - Waltzing Matilda is almost Australia's unofficial national anthem, a quintessentially Australian song!

Believe the CEO is an Aussie and American citizen.

So a US airline focusing on the Canadian (YTZ for the moment) market? That's a new one...

Goodbye wrote:

Does this company have any connection to Australia? Seems strange to call themselves "Waltzing Matilda Aviation" - Waltzing Matilda is almost Australia's unofficial national anthem, a quintessentially Australian song!

"This ambitious expansion is being led by John Thomas, CEO and co-founder of Waltzing Matilda Aviation, and formerly Group Executive of Virgin Australia Airlines and Managing Director of global airline practice LEK Consulting.

F27500 wrote:

Whatever they do .. they -need- to call themselves "Waltzing Matilda" instead. That is THE most whacked out, cracked out name I have ever heard for an airline (maybe after "Suckling Airways") . "Waltzing Matilda Air" will get WAY more attention than "Connect" ... lol

Ha! Great description! I love the name too haha, what would their frequent flyer program be named?

airlinepeanuts wrote:

F27500 wrote:

Whatever they do .. they -need- to call themselves "Waltzing Matilda" instead. That is THE most whacked out, cracked out name I have ever heard for an airline (maybe after "Suckling Airways") . "Waltzing Matilda Air" will get WAY more attention than "Connect" ... lol

Ha! Great description! I love the name too haha, what would their frequent flyer program be named?

How about "Crikey Club" (due to the Australian origin)

And lets not get started on the crazy livery we could come up with! lol

Whatever they do .. they -need- to call themselves "Waltzing Matilda" instead. That is THE most whacked out, cracked out name I have ever heard for an airline (maybe after "Suckling Airways") . "Waltzing Matilda Air" will get WAY more attention than "Connect" ... lol

Suckling Airways was named after the founders Roy and Merlyn Suckling, not the only airline to take the founder's name.

Scoreboard wrote:

Whatever they do .. they -need- to call themselves "Waltzing Matilda" instead. That is THE most whacked out, cracked out name I have ever heard for an airline (maybe after "Suckling Airways") . "Waltzing Matilda Air" will get WAY more attention than "Connect" ... lol

Suckling Airways was named after the founders Roy and Merlyn Suckling, not the only airline to take the founder's name.

Yes I know this .. but when you have such a bad last name, you don't name an airline after it, IMO Or anything else .. other than maybe a farm that raises livestock.

airman99o wrote:

Also strange to see they are hiring Canadian crews to operate N registered aircraft. Seeing I'm still grounded after Sky Regional had its wings clipped I'll have to keep an eye out for hiring.

They are hiring left seat Q4 at the moment.

https://wmaviation.com/career-opportunities/

I'm sure it's just going to be to support a legacy carrier's focus on Toronto. *cough* American *cough*

airman99o wrote:

Oh you don't want me at the Controls of an Aircraft. I'm better suited to throwing drinks n Food at people.
I'm at a loss, how are they going to get intonYTZ with all the slots used at this point in time??? Also pre clearance??? Has that been started, I have heard that construction has started but with this Covid crap still going on has that been put on hold?? And re slots.... if there are slots open how the heck did they manage to get those without a stink being kicked up by Air Canada and WestJet n Porter????

They had a posting for cabin crew on their site earlier in the summer. Not sure if they've already bad the calls out. But Jazz is hiring at the moment. At the moment there are slots. Porter is still not running its full sched and if its not flying those routes so there are gates. But your guess is good as mine. I'm curious to see how this is going to turn out.

A bit more information on Connect Airlines' plans.

https://paxex.aero/connect-airlines-canadian-crew/

Aiming for October launch (they will need to start sticking those fingers out if they don't want a mad rush).

Interline with AA, although hoping to have a codeshare wrapped up before launch.

Not much on potential routes though.

If this is going to have any chance of any long-term viability against PD or AC, they really are going to have to slap some AA paint on those Q400s and market themselves accordingly.

This could potentially push PD to either expand their relationship with B6 - if possible. Otherwise, with the loss of DL to WS and AC with UA, not many options for PD to create additional U.S. feed. Then again, maybe they won't need it with their " organic growth plans".

In a filing submitted last Friday (17 September 2021) the US DOT effectively killed "Waltzing Matilda" d/b/a Connect Airlines attempt to gain certification. The US DOT Air Carrier Fitness Division determined the potential carrier lacks proper US-based funding sources, that key technical management positions are filled by unqualified individuals, the required certification application/documents were filed incorrectly, incompletely or are otherwise substandard and their startup and continued funding remains problematic.

The DOT's response, in part, issued by Laurlynn Remo, Chief of the Air Carrier Fitness Division:

"...In light of the above, we would not be able to recommend a favorable fitness determination until each of these issues are adequately addressed. We will provide WMA 30 days from the date of this letter to address the citizenship, fitness, and procedural concerns identified above. Although there remain a number of questions concerning WMA’s applications and supporting material, we will defer further processing of WMA’s applications pending resolution of the issues we have identified. If WMA does not resolve the issues identified or correct the procedural issues identified within this time, we will recommend that the Department dismiss the applications of WMA without prejudice to the applicant refiling."

This venture is unlikely to get airborne.

debonair wrote:

Chorus Aviation Agrees to Lease Two Dash 8-400 Aircraft to Connect Airlines

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/choru ... 1628088186

Probably better than we imagine. They can use the low altitude ingress/egress routes while the jets are stacked 50 deep doing 250kts 400 miles out.

They are still at war with the U.S. DOT regarding their financing, operational structure, et cetera. A comment period expires on the 23rd of December regarding their request for multiple exemptions to the standard certification and start-up process. Given the considerable resistance this operation has met from ALPA, the established air carrier competition, TC and the US DOT, I do not expect any type of operations inaugurated in the near future.

Goodbye wrote:
"Does this company have any connection to Australia? Seems strange to call themselves "Waltzing Matilda Aviation" - Waltzing Matilda is almost Australia's unofficial national anthem, a quintessentially Australian song"
Crosscheckyyz wrote:
"Believe the CEO is an Aussie and American citizen"

Another possible connection is that Qantas held their first Board meeting at the Winton Club about 200km north of Longreach.
Winton is also where the Song Waltzing Matilda was written, and at various times have called themselves Waltzing Matilda Country.
No idea if that had anything to do with the naming but it is interesting.
Ruscoe

Reminds me of a Colgan-level operation.

It appears Connect is headquartered at BED - Hanscom Field in Bedford, MA.

That website is a mess.

Thre Dash8-Q400 on lease from ALC confirmed. Any more Infos about the frames?!

https://www.nac.dk/news-and-press/nac-h ... -airlines/