Astraeus, the independent British airline, will soon start flying to Newfoundland. The snow in Eastern Canada this winter has helped drive visitor numbers up almost 60 per cent at the Humber Valley Resort in Newfoundland and according to the Newfoundland Government's Department of Tourism, non-residential air travel to the province has increased by 10 per cent in the last year.

Astraeus's new Newfoundland air-route will benefit the increased number of British visitors to the area being the only year-round direct flight between St John's and London. It will operate three times a week, on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, departing St John's at approximately 8pm local time and arriving in London at 5am local time.

"We believe we are in the right place at the right time," says Hugh Parry, Managing Director of Astraeus. "The people and organisations in Newfoundland with whom we have shared our plans are hugely enthusiastic about the re-establishment of the direct flight. There is great affinity with the UK, and many find it far more convenient to make long-haul connecting flights via the UK rather than Canada or the USA," said Hugh Parry, Managing Director of Astraeus.

"We have also moved to establish this new Newfoundland air-route at a time when UK travellers are becoming ever more adventurous. Newfoundland is a stunningly beautiful province, virtually unspoilt - and is proving to be a popular destination for people looking for new frontiers for both holidays and holiday home acquisition. St John's is a gateway to a region which can truly be described as 'the great outdoors.'"

It's not just skiing that attracts visitors to Newfoundland, 66 per cent of the best salmon rivers in North America are to be found here (source: 2007 Newfoundland Fishing and Hunting Guide), providing excellent fishing opportunities, and the award-winning River Golf Course is in the running to add the title of Best New Canadian Course to its medal count this year.

Astraeus's Newfoundland air-route will initially operate with a Boeing 737-700 configured to seat 129 passengers. The flight will take approximately six hours and tickets are priced from CAN$499.

Keith Collins, President and CEO of the St John's International Airport Authority said: "Both leisure travellers and the business community are delighted that Astraeus has made the decision to connect St. John's and London-Gatwick with a year-round service. We anticipate a long and rewarding relationship."

The Humber Valley Resort offers chalet accommodation in privately-owned second homes rented out by the resort. 159 chalets have been built and another 49 are currently under construction, one acre plots are available from CDN$300,000, construction from CDN$310,000 and furnishings from CDN$50,000. Larger plots are available. 

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Article published on 7 March 2007