BRESLAU – Two companies are stepping up operations at Waterloo Region International Airport.

Pivot Airlines plans to start carrying passengers to Ottawa and Montreal early next year, while Chartright Air Group doubles the size of its facilities serving private jets, their passengers and crews.

“It is an award or recognition that our investment in this airport is paying off,” said Regional President Karen Redman.

Notices posted on Pivot’s website indicate that flights to Ottawa will launch on February 19, while service to Montreal will begin on March 21. Tickets go on sale November 5 at midnight.

There is no word yet on the prices or frequency of the service; Pivot representatives could not be reached for comment.

“I’m not going to steal their thunder, but let me say there’s more good news to come,” Redman said.

When Pivot Airlines first announced plans to offer area flights to Ottawa, Toronto, Windsor and Montreal last year, the Toronto-based carrier Pearson said it would use Canadian-made CRJ jets. and regional De Havilland Dash 8 turboprop engines.

The company said it plans to start the service once regulatory approvals are obtained and COVID-19 travel restrictions are relaxed.

Meanwhile, Chartright Air Group on Thursday announced plans to double the size of its existing hangar at the airport as it builds a new fixed operating facility (FBO).

Chartright’s existing 50,000 square foot hangar is located at the west end of the airport property, adjacent to Jetliner Court.

The new facility, which is expected to operate at full capacity next fall, will include a heated hangar that can house a Boeing 757, a passenger lounge, and services ranging from maintenance, refueling and de-icing to management and l chartering of private jets.

The expanded facility is expected to create 24 jobs. “Chartright Air Group is a great example of someone who takes root, creates great jobs,” said Redman.

“Our new and modern FBO is a necessary addition to the YKF (area airport code) infrastructure,” Chartright President Adam Keller said in a statement. “The facility will provide increased capacity and a wide range of enhanced services for private jets and will provide cargo handling and air ambulance assistance services. “

The announcements come just weeks after the region unveiled plans to double the size of the airport’s passenger terminal in the coming months, increasing the capacity to handle 750,000 passengers by the end of 2022 and one million or more by 2023.

Redman said the region’s decision to allow exclusivity of certain routes for ultra-low-cost carriers is fueling this growth.

“We’ve made ourselves very strategically attractive,” she said. “This is part of an integrated approach to economic development to attract both investment and talent to the Waterloo region.

The airport’s expansion is also benefiting the growing group of aerospace technology and manufacturing companies that call the region home, Redman noted.

Officials said the airport is expected to exceed its goal of 220,000 passengers for 2021, even amid the pandemic. Most of that current demand comes from economy flights from Flair Airlines, which launched service in May to several Canadian cities and hopes to start flying to Florida in December.

WestJet also offers direct flights to Calgary from the region, while Sunwing’s seasonal service to Mexico begins in December.

With files from Catherine Thompson, from Record staff.