Starting in the new year, travelers can opt for a one-hour flight from Kenora to Thunder Bay, Ont., as opposed to a 5.5-hour drive impacted by road closures and weather conditions. North Star Air has teamed up with the Kenora Airport Authority to introduce a direct, regular passenger air service connecting the two cities.
The launch of this service on Jan. 15 will address the gap created by Bearskin Airlines’ exit from Kenora, Dryden, and Fort Frances in May 2024. Collaboration among the communities has been ongoing, focusing on an air service feasibility study and stakeholder survey to support the necessity of a new air passenger carrier.
Ryan Reynard, Chairman of the Kenora Airport Authority, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with North Star Air, emphasizing the significance of a direct link to Thunder Bay in enhancing regional transportation networks and facilitating access to various services and travel opportunities.
North Star Air, a Canadian airline offering passenger service, charter flights, and cargo operations in northern Ontario, Manitoba, and Nunavut, views this new route as a means of promoting community connectivity and supporting economic growth in the region.
Kenora Mayor Andrew Poirier, serving a population of around 15,000, hailed the return of passenger air services as a boon for the local economy and tourism sector. Additionally, he highlighted the service’s potential to ease access to healthcare appointments, particularly with the construction of a new hospital in Kenora likely attracting more patients from the west.
Poirier emphasized the dual benefits of the service, foreseeing increased tourism to Kenora and improved healthcare facilitation for residents. He noted that the time saved by opting for a quick flight over an arduous 11-hour drive is invaluable for frequent travelers across the region.
The Kenora Airport Authority expressed its commitment to collaborating with regional partners, municipalities, and tourism bodies to ensure the service aligns with community needs and expands sustainably. A launch event is scheduled at the Kenora Airport with North Star Air on Dec. 20 before the service goes live in the upcoming year.