Single float-plane terminal needs review

Safety could be compromised if docking spaces are reduced

As the owner of Hyack Air and the long-time operator of a floatplane terminal in Victoria's Inner Harbour, I have serious concerns about the move toward a single terminal based on Harbour Air's proposal for a new facility in the area of their current location.

My concerns are based on safety considerations, impacts on competition and capacity and the transparency of the process.

Victoria's Inner Harbour has an exceptional safety record. In fact, Transport Canada has said that Victoria is one of the best-run water airports in Canada and a model for water airports across the country.

As part of Harbour Air's approval process, Transport Canada will be required to complete a safety management systems review to ensure the new terminal can be operated safely.

Why is it not the first step in the process? I believe it will support what Transport Canada has already said - the current two-terminal system is a model for safety.

The terminal proposed by Harbour Air would have less capacity than we have now. Instead of having the room to accommodate 16 floatplanes between the two terminals, the proposed terminal would only have 10 spaces. Reduced capacity would likely mean that, in busy periods, seaplanes would be left circling in the harbour, trying to avoid other traffic, while waiting for docking space.

The circling of planes, in combination with having all floatplanes converge on one terminal, raises concerns about an increased collision risk.

The questions about safety need to be given careful consideration, as do concerns about increased noise and pollution from planes circling in the harbour.

With the two terminals, seaplanes move efficiently, effectively and safely. Traffic is diffused to two locations, allowing aircraft to quickly dock and turn their engines off.

I am also concerned that the move to a single floatplane terminal will eliminate competition.

Harbour Air's proposal for a single terminal would give it a virtual monopoly over landing rights.

It would mean that all other floatplane operators would be beholden to Harbour Air.

It would virtually eliminate the ability of other operators to establish new scheduled flights in and out of Victoria.

One can imagine the public outcry if Air Canada or WestJet operated the Victoria airport and was able to determine which, when and even if other airlines were able to fly in and out of it.

Smaller operators would not have a place to dock in Victoria and Harbour Air would have a stranglehold, which is not in the public interest.

Finally, the public processes to assess Harbour Air's proposal and the overall desirability of a single floatplane terminal in the Inner Harbour need to be transparent and allow all operators to have their voices heard. We deserve to be consulted in an open and fair process as a whole industry.

Floatplane operations and terminals are an integral part of the Inner Harbour and make a significant contribution to the local economy.

Any discussion regarding the future of floatplane terminals in the Inner Harbour must focus on competition, capacity, transparency and, most importantly, safety.

Jim Allard is vice-president of Hyack Air, which operates the Hyack Floatplane Terminal. He is a member of Transport Canada's Victoria Harbour air carriers safety committee and Tourism Victoria's transportation committee.