The Honourable John Hogan, KC, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, along with the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Labrador Affairs, today announced a new air access pilot program.
Residents of Labrador and parts of the Great Northern Peninsula face air access affordability issues. This new program will help address that challenge by providing 175 round-trip tickets per week through PAL Airlines at a special base fare plus a 30 per cent discount beginning August 29.
Rates will vary depending on where you travel to and from, however, the following example would apply for someone travelling from Wabush to St. John’s. A current flight could cost approximately $1,400 and through the Labrador Air Access Program, the fare will be $909 with the resident paying $636 with a Provincial Government subsidy of $273.
Tickets must originate from a Labrador airport (Goose Bay, Wabush and the six north coast airstrips), Blanc Sablon or St. Anthony to St. John’s, Gander or Deer Lake. For North coast residents, tickets can include travel to and from the Goose Bay Airport. The number of seats available at the subsidized rates will be allocated per airport based on population density and will be limited per flight.
The application-based program is available to residents in the Labrador-Grenfell region for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. To access the program, people will be required to complete an online application form.
Quotes
“Labradorians and residents of the Great Northern Peninsula face unique travel barriers including high costs and vast travel distances. This program will help address the affordability challenges of travel to the island portion of the province and offer savings of at least 30 per cent compared to current prices.”
Honourable John Hogan, KC
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“The people of Labrador struggle with air access and affordability. Most residents live in areas far from an airport or with limited road access, if any. This new program is one example of how our government is working for the well-being of our people. My team and I are so pleased to have negotiated this agreement and look forward to implementing the program.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Labrador Affairs
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Learn more
Labrador Air Access Program
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BACKGROUNDER
- There will be a maximum of two round trip subsidized tickets per person in a calendar year.
- Tickets must be for personal or leisure travel only.
- Flights can be cancelled up to 72 hours prior to departure for a credit with a fee of $57.