Airtransit

Airtransit was a Canadian airline that provided short take-off and landing (STOL) service between Ottawa and Montreal. A subsidiary of Air Canada (then a Crown corporation), the airline operated from 1973-1976 before closing due to poor business.

Not to be confused with Air Transat.
Airtransit
An Airtransit DHC-6 Twin Otter at Ottawa airport
Commenced operations1973 (1973)
Ceased operations1975 (1975)
HubsVictoria STOLport, Ottawa/Rockcliffe Airport
Fleet size6
Destinations2
Parent companyAir Canada

History

In 1970, the Science Council of Canada recommended that the government of Canada immediately invest in industrial development of the aviation industry, including construction of aircraft, navigation aids, and regulation of air traffic.[1] The government began these projects shortly after the Science Council's report.[2]

A subsidiary of Air Canada called Airtransit was founded by the government in 1973. Transport Canada developed the airline as a "pilot program" to test the feasibility of a link between the Victoria STOLport in Montreal and Ottawa/Rockcliffe Airport in Ottawa, using an eleven seat De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, and later the De Havilland Canada Dash 7.,,.[3][4][5][6][7]

The service quickly ran into spending issues. Budget cuts at Air Canada, slow development of the Dash-7, noise concerns from citizens in Ottawa and Montreal, and inadequate infrastructure at Victoria STOLport forced Transport Canada to prematurely cancel the project in 1976.[7][4][6][8]

An Airtransit ticket

Destinations
Destinations served by Airtransit
Destination Period
Montreal (Victoria) 1974-1976
Ottawa (Rockcliffe) 1974-1976

Fleet

Originally used as bush planes, the Twin Otters used by Airtransit were modified specifically for business travellers on short distance trips. The aircraft were equipped with oversized disc brakes and traction control as well as spoilers for the wings, a de-icing system for the propeller blades, emergency brakes, protection against engine fire, and autopilot in case of damage.[9]

The cabin had eleven seats and fifteen windows, as well as one toilet, a cloakroom and air conditioning.[9]

Airtransit fleet
Model Image Number Years operated Registration Number
DHC-6 Twin Otter 6 1974-1976 CF-CST, CF-CSU, CF-CSV, CF-CSW, CF-CSX, CF-CSY

See also

References
  1. Jean-Claude Paquet (4 December 1970). "Le Canada doit immédiatement mettre sur pied l'industrie du transport par avions à décollage et atterrissage courts, l'ADAC". La Presse: D1.
  2. Claude Tessier (May 12, 1971). "Ottawa participera au développement d'un mode de transport par avions à décollage et atterrissage courts". La Presse (in French): 28.
  3. "Création d'Airtransit Canada pour assurer la liaison par ADAC entre Montréal et Ottawa". La Presse: C1. 9 May 1973.
  4. Jean-Claude Marsan (27 September 1975). "L'ADAC et les besoins du transport urbain". Le Devoir: 19.
  5. "Between Montreal and Ottawa : Heavy losses for STOL service". The Sherbrooke Record: 2. 26 August 1975.
  6. "Air Canada réduit ses dépenses". Le Soleil: G2. 5 November 1975.
  7. Denis Masse (20 April 1976). "Airtransit pourrait reprendre le service Adac avec les avions DHC-7". La Presse: C1.
  8. Gilles Constantineau (3 April 1976). "L'aventure à décollage court". Le Devoir: 13.
  9. "twin otters | air centre | british airways | 1974 | 1919 | Flight Archive". www.flightglobal.com. Retrieved 2019-02-03.
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