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More Canadians Cross Border To Take American Flights

Story Published: May 11, 2012 at 8:03 PM EDT

Story Updated: May 11, 2012 at 8:03 PM EDT

Clarmont Gauthier came all the way from Gatineau, Quebec, to the Ogdensburg Airport to catch a Cape Air flight to Boston.

He is among a growing number of Canadians crossing the border to fly to destinations at a fraction of the cost compared to Canadian airlines in Ottawa or Montreal.
 
"It's cheaper. That's it," he said.
 
Cape Air has seen its Canadian ridership numbers skyrocket as much as 40 to 60 percent over what they were a year ago thanks to a direct marketing campaign aimed at the Ottawa area.

"We have tapped into a new market of people," said Jacqueline Donohoo of Cape Air.

The cheaper flights and free airport parking are able to be be offered by Cape Air for a variety of reasons - federal subsidies included.

That makes it more attractive for Canadian air passengers who are only about an hour's drive from the Ottawa area.
 
The Ogdensburg airport is also undergoing a multi-million dollar modernization and expansion plan.
  
While the surge in Canadian passengers on north country flights is welcome news in Ogdensburg, the Canadian Airports Council estimates that Canadian airports lose millions of passengers annually to American airports like Ogdensburg.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
, Watertown, NY

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