7636 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

So we have crooked workers at the Montreal port, exporting stolen vehicles by the hundreds, and now Air Canada employees involved in gun-running and this gold heist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peel Regional Police disclosed that nine individuals, including Air Canada personnel, are now facing charges linked to the meticulously executed $20-million gold heist at Toronto Pearson Airport, which took place precisely one year ago.

 

The arrests were announced jointly by Peel Regional Police and the U.S. Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Bureau during a press briefing on Wednesday. Dubbed “Project 24K,” the collaborative investigation signifies 24 carats of gold.

 

Among those implicated are 25-year-old Durante King-Mclean, 34-year-old Prasath Paramalingam, and 36-year-old Archit Grover, all hailing from Brampton, along with others. King-Mclean and Grover are currently wanted across Canada.

 

Law enforcement verified that certain individuals, including King-Mclean, Paramalingam, and Grover, have been indicted in the U.S. for their involvement in an international firearms trafficking conspiracy.

 

U.S. authorities intervened in September 2023, several months following the gold heist at Pearson Airport, when King-Mclean was stopped in Pennsylvania for suspected motor vehicle violations. Upon fleeing the scene, officers discovered King-Mclean’s rental vehicle containing 65 firearms allegedly intended for illegal smuggling into Canada. Notably, two of these firearms were fully automatic, classified as machine guns under federal law, and 11 were identified as stolen.

 

 

 

 

https://www.canindia...un-trafficking/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 17 April 2024 - 06:02 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

On April 17, 2023, a suspect stole 6,600 gold bars worth roughly $20 million CAD and about $2.5 million in various foreign currencies from an Air Canada storage facility at Pearson. The gold and cash had just arrived on a flight from Zurich.

 

The suspect was able to gain access to the warehouse using a legitimate airway bill — a document typically issued by a carrier with details on the shipment — that was actually a duplicate for a delivery of seafood that had been picked up a day prior, investigators said. The airway bill had been printed within the Air Canada cargo facility, they added.    

 

The gold and currency was loaded on a delivery truck and the suspect left the airport.

 

 

 

 

https://www.cbc.ca/n...rests-1.7176041

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 17 April 2024 - 06:09 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

One of those employees, Parmpal Sidhu, a 54-year-old man from Brampton, Ont., who worked in the warehouse, has been arrested and charged with theft over $5,000 and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. Meanwhile, a Canada-wide arrest warrant has been issued for Simran Preet Panesar, 31, also from Brampton. Mavity said Panesar worked as a manager and led "a tour" of the cargo facility for police after the theft before he resigned from Air Canada last summer.

"They needed people inside Air Canada to facilitate this theft," Mavity said.


https://www.cbc.ca/n...rests-1.7176041

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 17 April 2024 - 09:44 AM.

[Matt R.]

From Eric Pateman over at YVR.

“YVR reclaims top spot as Best Airport in North America”

https://news.yvr.ca/...HXLH-vNdw25cjqY

[Missed Approach]

Been interesting watching YQB airport ( Quebec City ) grow so much over the last 5 yrs +.

I see this airport shortly to take 11th busiest from YYJ in the next year or so.

 

Awhile ago I traveled thru YQB and their terminal was twice the size of YYJ after alot of work on their terminal over the last few years is now close to triple the size and with a parkade. 

 

Their route network is varied as well. Similar to YLW, they draw from a large drivable area to the airport but is also the starting point to northern QB and smaller communities up the St Lawrence  

 

https://canadianavia...rket-than-ever/

 

Alittle about YQB

 

https://en.wikipedia...ational_Airport

[AllseeingEye]

Weird - found this in the National Post citing some entity called CasinoHunter - no website provided - that ranked the Top 25 airports in Canada which had YYJ coming in 16th between London ON and Gander.

 

https://www.msn.com/...9402a262b&ei=32

 

Here is another link also referencing "CasinoHunter" - also no URL provided - but does inlcude a chart with a bit more info comparing all the airports re lounges, eating options, number of airlines, destinations etc. 

 

https://ckpgtoday.ca...orst-in-canada/

 

Who or what is "CasinoHunter"? And what makes it/them/him/her an expert on airports?

Edited by AllseeingEye, 18 April 2024 - 07:06 PM.

[Missed Approach]

I was out at YYJ on Wednesday to do what most friendly Victorians do when a friend asks for a ride from the airport.

Since transit from the airport takes a week and a half to get to most metro areas of Victoria core, 3 buses later. Without any shuttle service and cabs running 80$ to the downtown care, I offered the fastest alterative.

 

Between 430-5pm, the airport felt like a shell of a place. Even tho it was a lull between several flights, it felt hallow. 

White Spot still closed, Flickle Pig closed, gift shop closed, and I was out numbered by staff.

 

Then the wave came, WJ flight from Calgary, WJ Encore from Vancouver, AC Express from Vancouver and Pacific Coastal from Kamloops and Kelowna all landed within 5-10 mins.

 

Met and walked to baggage claim only to wait for 4 flights worth of luggage to empty onto one carrousel, as Air Canada uses the other. Nobody could move towards or out, so we went and sat down. 17 mins later still no bag from the flight but most had passengers had left when the next load was being placed on the belt in a continual cart load of bags.  

 

I welcome the new CEO, her vision and I welcome some of the new changes sooner than later........ 

[AllseeingEye]

It really is all rather a mickey mouse operation for sure. The (lack of) tranist options is really glaring IMO. After calculating taxi costs we opted to drive out ourselves and leave Mrs ASE's truck in long term parking so it was there and available when we arrived home after midnight on the other end of our recent vacation. Still about $30-40 cheaper than taking a cab to and from the airport from our place.

[Nparker]

I was out at YYJ on Wednesday to do what most friendly Victorians do when a friend asks for a ride from the airport...

This reminds me, I need a ride to YYJ on the afternoon of June 26....

[Missed Approach]

This reminds me, I need a ride to YYJ on the afternoon of June 26....

Ha Ha Ha

 

Uber would get up set......

[Nparker]

...Uber would get up set......

All the more reason.

[Victoria Watcher]

LIFT’s revolutionary pay-per-flight experiences are now available to the public. The company’s inaugural mobile location will be operating through April 28 at Lakeland Linder Airport - home of the famed Sun N Fun Aerospace Expo, where LIFT will also be seen flying in air shows and allowing customers to fly during the renowned event (April 9-14). Customer flights will continue in Austin, Texas in May, with further expansion into additional cities to be announced in the near future. 

 

Anyone can train and fly LIFT’s aircraft, HEXA. The experience, which lasts approximately 2 hours and includes comprehensive ground training, allowing customers to familiarize themselves with the aircraft and its controls before flying the aircraft in a virtual reality flight simulator, offering a realistic preview of what's next. Once trained, participants pilot HEXA themselves, all under the guidance of experienced flight instructors - and all with no pilot's license required.

 

https://www.commerci...ight-experience

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 22 April 2024 - 04:16 AM.

[Missed Approach]

Anyone ( Or Mike K ) know what the hold up with the airport hotel breaking ground. 

Following the time line on the removed web page from the VAA site doesn't mention the time line.

It was meant to be well under way by now and opening in 2025.

 

Had to dig hard to find this link, ie Search the word HOTEL within the website.

 

https://yyj.ca/partn...hotel-proposal/

[LJ]

Since AC dropped their PDF timetable again, I haven't checked it often.

I did some digging and YES the red eye is gone for a period. 

I see the twice daily continues into the end of March but its a mix of A319, A320 and A321

In April, surprisingly is mainline service, on the A220-300. I thought AC didn't like using mainline service to YYJ

I see there is a change in May to the mainline B737-8Max and in late June the red eye returns with twice daily mainline 737-8Max

The 3 times daily is back in July with A320 and A321 operated by Rouge till the second week of Sept when it goes back to 2 daily.

Then again, anything can change with load factors or if Flair Air dumps YYJ-YYZ 

It was an A320 on Sunday.

[Missed Approach]

Harbour Air Bolsters Sustainable Aviation Goals With MagniX LOI

Vancouver, BC, April 22, 2024 – Harbour Air, North America’s largest seaplane airline, today announced the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) with magniX, a global leader in electric aviation propulsion, to purchase 50 magni650 electric engines. This agreement marks a significant step towards Harbour Air’s ambitious goal of electrifying its fleet, and its commitment to sustainable aviation.

magniX will support the Transport Canada validation of its magni650 type certificate and assist in the certification work required for Harbour Air to obtain Canadian and American STCs (Supplemental Type Certificates) for installing the magni650 on the DHC-2 Beaver, with an option to extend their support to other aircraft platforms.

“We are excited to accelerate the adoption of electric aviation technology and further our journey towards a sustainable future”, says Bert van der Stege, CEO of Harbour Air. The agreement with magniX underscores our commitment to revolutionize commercial aviation with electric propulsion and to pave the way for cleaner, quieter, and more efficient air travel.”

A key element to the Harbour Air electrification vision is to develop a sustainable aviation hub on the west coast, providing electrification conversions and services to 3rd parties. This agreement helps solidify this vision by ensuring the supply of electric engines for our fleet as well as our customers.

“Electrifying Harbour Air’s fleet and future customers with magniX’s engines sets us on a course to define the future of regional flight,” said Riona Armesmith, Chief Technology Officer of magniX. “The many flights that the eBeaver has now completed with magniX’s technology are a signal that the electric age of aviation is here and bringing it to the marketplace is growing rapidly closer.”

Since announcing their partnership in early 2019, Harbour Air and magniX have been at the forefront of electric aviation. The successful maiden flight of the world’s first fully electric commercial aircraft in Richmond, BC, on December 10, 2019, marked a historic achievement in sustainable aviation. Harbour Air has since operated 78 successful test flights with its prototype.

“Harbour Air’s commitment to electrifying its fleet aligns with our province’s goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable transportation options,” said Rob Fleming, B.C.’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “This initiative, including providing electrification services to other companies, showcases British Columbia’s leadership in supporting innovative solutions that contribute to a cleaner environment and a greener economy.”

Harbour Air’s ambitious timeline targets the commercial certification of their first electric aircraft by 2026. Following certification, the company plans to convert additional aircraft within its fleet and offer third-party conversions to promote widespread adoption of electric aviation.

About Harbour Air

Harbour Air is North America’s largest Seaplane airline. The company’s international seaplane service, which originally began in 1982 with two seaplanes, is now a quintessential west coast experience. With a fleet of 45 aircraft, Harbour Air offers up to 300 daily scheduled flights, scenic tours, adventure packages, and private flights. With 12 scheduled destinations connecting downtown Vancouver, Victoria, Seattle (WA), Nanaimo, Tofino, Whistler, Vancouver Airport/Richmond, Sechelt, Salt Spring Island, Powell River and Comox, B.C. Harbour Air transports around 500,000 passengers every year. For more information, visit www.harbourair.com

 

About magniX

Headquartered in Everett, Washington State, U.S., magniX is leading an era of sustainable aviation. magniX has developed a family of electric propulsion units (EPUs) and energy storage systems (ESS) for commercial aviation. With the industry’s highest energy density batteries and unparalleled electric engine performance, magniX is leading the aviation industry into a sustainable future. magniX is a subsidiary of the Clermont Group, an international business group headquartered in Singapore. For further information, please visit www.magnix.aero.

[Mike K.]

Anyone ( Or Mike K ) know what the hold up with the airport hotel breaking ground.
Following the time line on the removed web page from the VAA site doesn't mention the time line.
It was meant to be well under way by now and opening in 2025.

Had to dig hard to find this link, ie Search the word HOTEL within the website.

https://yyj.ca/partn...hotel-proposal/

Good question. I’ll see what I can find out.

[Missed Approach]

Not surprised, but was YYJ dumped from the Flair Air pairing with Las Vegas for the same reason.....????

 

Another gamble on YYJ that lost ....  

 

https://www.thespec....4d5d13c324.html

Edited by Missed Approach, 24 April 2024 - 05:12 PM.