'We're going to fight': Labrador residents protest expensive airfares, call for action

About 100 peopleholding Labrador flags and signsrallied outside the Wabush Airport on Saturday, calling for more affordableairfares and action from PAL Airlines and government.

The protest was about standing up for the needs of Labrador residents, who are fed up with paying expensive fares to fly in and out of the region, said organizer Dena Rumbolt.

"We need it, we deserve it. We're going to fight for it," Rumbolt told CBC News.

"There's power in numbers and everybody is backing this. Everybody is backing it because now the lead has started, so we'll see where it goes," she said.

Airfare costs in Labrador have risen by 33 per cent over the last five years, according to a fare analysis report commissioned by the Goose Bay Airport Corporation.

There is a bigger financial impact for people flying out of Wabush, the home of Labrador's second largest airport, where prices have risen by 47per cent.

There is also little competition in the region. PAL Airlinesand its partner Air Borealis are the only carriersproviding Labrador residents with air travel.

Family struggle

Rumbolt heard stories over the years about people'sstruggles with flying, she said. Butit struck home when her mother-in-law, who was in St. John's, had a medical emergency. She booked her husband a flight but it was cancelled twice.

"We were like, 'OK, you know what? We're not going to get to see our mom now,'" she said."That's what they were thinking before she passed."

The experience was frustrating and it prompted Rumboltto start the protest, she said.

Noreen Careen also came out for the protest to show her support for getting more affordable airfare for the region, especially for seniors.

"Sometimes trying to get a senior out of here for medical appointments it's practically impossible. We have to do fundraising at times," said Careen.

She has to fly for a medical appointment in November and is in the process of filing out the provincial medical transportation assistance program form to cover costs.

"I'm anxious to see how well it's going to work," said Careen.

She wants to see financial relief brought in to tackle the cost of airfare.

"It's practically gouging, what's taking place," said Careen, adding that there are people who can't afford to fly out of the region.

WATCH | We have to fundraise for medical flights sometimes, say protestors:

Highway robbery: Dozens protest rising fares to and from Labrador

2 days ago

Duration 2:07

About 100 people turned out to a rally on Saturday to say theyre fed up with airfares that increased upwards of 30 per cent in the last five years. The CBCs Darryl Dinn reports.

Kelley Albert said she recently saw a one-way ticket to St. John's for $953.

"That's just highway robbery," she said.

Her familywilldrive to another city, like Montreal, if they want to fly anywhere for vacation, she said.

Albert also wants to see more flights available. Sometimes, she said, people trying to fly because offamily emergencies can't book a flight for days.

PAL meeting scheduled

On Friday, Premier Andrew Furey posted on social media that he met with PAL representatives and is seeking a meeting with federal Transport MinisterAnita Anand to discuss airfare costs.

Labrador MP Yvonne Jones has also arranged a meeting between government representatives andPAL next week in St. John's.Rumbolt said she will be in attendance, too.

"We're going to fight hard," said Rumbolt.

NDP MHA Jordan Brown, who representsLabrador West, said he has not been invited to the meeting,alleging that theissue is being politicized.

He said he has been raising this issue for years.

"This has been a long-standing issue for Labradorians and we've been making a lot of noise but now want to make more noise because we just had enough," he said.

It's the federal government that needs to step up to solve this problem, said Brown, adding that unequal air access impacts northern and rural communities across Canada, not just Labrador.

"They have to do their part, but it's just falling on deaf ears," said Brown.

WabushMayor Ron Barron also attended Saturday's protest to support the cause. Hesaid people want an inquiry into airfare costs.

"Our provincial counterparts should be pushing for that inquiry," Barron said.

A Wabush town councillor will be in St. John's to attend the meeting with PAL, he said, but suggested regional MHAs should be invited as well.

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