More transparency the goal as YPR prepares to show cost of Airport ferry as part of air fare bills

For those that wonder just what it costs to make that transit between Fairview Bay and the Digby Island Airport, your Air Canada ticket will soon provide the details as YPR changes how the fare is presented to travellers.

In an information Notice from the Prince Rupert Airport, the details of the change to the collection process which will take effect on June 1st are relayed; with Air Canada to publish the 46 dollar Airport ferry fee as something called the Passenger Facility Fee.

The process previously was incorporated as part of the total Air Canada Fee, however in their notice YPR officials observe that:

 "In the past, Air Canada collected the Ferry fee through their fare calculations, and then the Airport Authority would process those funds through to the City to cover Ferry costs. This process is no longer a viable option, and in an effort to provide transparency, the Ferry Fee will now appear as a PFF on outbound flights."

YPR notes that this does not mean that passengers will be paying more for their tickets and just reflects a change in how the fee is presented, it will still be required as part of your payment however at the time of booking your flight, which will be added to the ticket, along with any other fees and charges that currently are in place.

The Airport notes that "Travellers will not be required to pay through a separate collection process at the airport"

As for other possible forms of collection, Airport Management observed that the only other alternative would be to collect the fee from each passenger as they board the Ferry.

Something which they note would incur additional processing costs. as well as to result in the slowing down of the process of transporting passengers between the City and the Airport.

YPR notes that revenue collected is transferred to the City of Prince Rupert to offset ferry costs, which is consistent with the practice of the past.

The Digby Island Ferry is currently in Victoria as part of a refit program, on Monday evening the city's Financial Officer Corrine Bomben advised Council that the coast of that refit will now face an additional charge of 350,000 dollars to address a number of issues discovered once the vessel arrived in Victoria.

A barge and tug service is taking the place of the Digby Island ferry while it's away and may be required beyond the end of this month, depending on the length of time required to do the additional work in Victoria.

Residents of the City may get an opportunity to hear about some of the latest developments with the Airport through the twice a month Prince Rupert City Council's sessions.

On Monday, Councillor Barry Cunningham observed that council had previously indicated that they would like have organizations and services in the region make regular presentations to Council, with Mr. Cunningham asking that the Airport Society or management from YPR be invited to Council at the next opportunity, so as to provide an update on any Airport news or developments.

Details of the Passenger Facility Fee Notice can be reviewed here.

For more items of note related to the Prince Rupert Airport see our archive page here.

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