Four North Shore towns are collaborating on a proposal to restore permanent air service between Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie.
Officials from Manitouwadge, Chapleau, Hornepayne and Wawa met in September to discuss an air service plan to operate a nine-seat Cessna aircraft. The towns will be applying for a federal grant to pay for a $20,000 study, which could begin this fall.
Under their proposal, the towns would share half the cost of the service provided by Thunder Air, which would also provide crews and reservation handling.
Representatives from the towns, which have been without air service for two years, have expressed concerned that without a permanent carrier they may lose their federal funding eligibility for airport upgrades.
