Prince Edward Air announced today their recent purchase of several additional aircraft to service a major bank courier contract in Atlantic Canada.
This contract will increase Prince Edward Air's complement of aircraft from nine planes to 13 and increase employment at the company by 20 people. As a result of this expansion, Prince Edward Air will be positioned as one of two major courier and carrier operations within Atlantic Canada that operate fleets with 19 seats or less.
"All of us at Prince Edward Air Ltd. are absolutely delighted with this new long term contract," said Bob Bateman, President of Prince Edward Air. "It meets all the prerequisites for desirable growth: it is profitable, it is in our field of expertise, it opens new markets for us, and finally, it serves as a great foundation for residual growth in areas such as Adhoc Charter and passenger scheduled services."
Prince Edward Air's courier contract is with Sameday Courier and will service regional corporate processing centres from Halifax to Newfoundland, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island from Monday to Friday.
"The expansion of Prince Edward Air will provide increased options for freight and future carrier service flying out of PEI and all of the Atlantic provinces," said Premier Pat Binns. "Such an expansion comes at a key time, bringing additional revenue and activity to the recently established Charlottetown Airport Authority."
Prince Edward Air was established 10 years ago as a single plane air transportation company. As the company has grown, they have acquired highly sophisticated equipment which includes the Beech 1900 C, 2 Beech 99s, and their latest turbo prop, the Beech King Air 200.
In addition, four Piper Navajo Chieftains have also been acquired, bringing to eight the total number of Chieftains deployed by the company. These twin engine air craft, operating with two pilots, provide an excellent inter provincial courier and charter fleet.