*Photo Credit: Mary Hankey, 2018 Snow Birds Airshow in Port Hastings with 2,500 people in attendance.
New optimism
New Opportunity.
Since 2012, the Allan J Airport has realized a significant increase in private and corporate jet traffic. A large percentage of this new jet traffic is the result of tourism, particularly of golfers landing at the Allan J MacEachen Regional Airport and traveling by vehicle to nearby golf courses.
The Increased jet traffic caught the attention of an entrepreneur
Celtic Air Services.
Dave Morgan, founder of Celtic Air Services, is a Pilot originally from Margaree (Cape Breton). Morgan learned to fly at the Allan J Airport when he started his career in aviation. Morgan spent much of his career working in Canada’s Northern Provinces. The growth of jet traffic and charters at the Allan J airport captured his attention and Morgan saw an opportunity for a new business.
Dave Morgan is proof our young people can return home with their families to make a “go of it” in Cape Breton.
Morgan moved his young family home to Nova Scotia, and has invested a tremendous amount of time, energy and capital investments into his new business, Celtic Air Services. Morgan’s business model is to meet the needs of the growing private jet traffic and private charters to the Allan J Airport. A large majority of the clients who land in jets and charters are golfers. Learn More
Celtic Air Services is contracted to manage the daily operations of the Allan J MacEachen Airport in Port Hastings as a full-service Fixed Base Operator (FBO) at the primary air gateway to Western Cape Breton and the Strait Region.
Celtic Air Services caters to the growth of private golf-bound jet traffic landing in Port Hastings. The lucrative golfing season for jets (80% of business revenues) offsets the all-season nature of the airport (20% of business revenues). Helicopter services, including helicopter tours of Cape Breton, have been another business focus, to expand into experiential tourism. Morgan also continues to explore the potential to establish commercial flights at the Allan J Airport in the future.
Dave Morgan meets regularly with the Allan J MacEachen Airport Committee to report on the daily operations at the Allan J MacEachen Airport. Morgan provides updates regarding airport traffic as well as the evolving need for upgrades and/or maintenance of the runway or facilities.
Ongoing upgrades and investments at the Allan J MacEachen Regional Airport will better position the airport for future growth and opportunities. Morgan has noted that the airport will need certain upgrades before the Allan J MacEachen Regional Airport can qualify for, or pursue, regularly scheduled commercial traffic in the future.