Yellowknife (May 10/06) - Plans for terminal booths and hiring procedures are underway for the newest airline to serve the North.

Air Canada Jazz is slated to fly out of Yellowknife starting on July 3. Plans to bring the airline to the North are currently on schedule, said Debra Williams, manager of media communications for the national air carrier.

Terminals at the Yellowknife Airport, they will require adjustment to accommodate Air Canada Jazz, which will start serving Yellowknife on July 3. - David Ryan/NNSL photo

"The airport and Air Canada Jazz are working diligently to proceed with start up plans," said Williams.

Check-out counter facilities are being proposed and job ads will be posted within the next week, she said.

A number of Northerners will be hired, although Williams did not comment on the exact amount. The Yellowknife airport has been in constant communication with Air Canada, said airport manager Michel Lafrance.

"They basically give us their needs and we will see if we can fill their order.

"They will just be like any other tenants," said Lafrance.

Some of the current terminal counter space may have to be adjusted, but the airport staff will deal with that, he said.

Renting out hangar space is entirely up to Air Canada.

The airport does not anticipate hiring any new staff to deal with the new airline, said Lafrance.

The most recent prices for a return flight from Yellowknife to Edmonton on Air Canada's on-line reservation website is $776.12.

Originally, Air Canada Jazz announced that a return flight from Yellowknife to Edmonton would cost $490.

"Fares do tend to change on a regular basis due to market conditions," said Angela Mah, spokesperson for Air Canada.

A new airline coming to the North will create more competition, said business traveller Tom Johnson.

He was at the airport waiting to fly back to Kamloops, British Columbia, after a recent business trip to the North.

"It's all supply and demand, and for customers it's trying to get the best deal possible," he said.

Any extras such as snacks and meals or choice of seating on the Air Canada Jazz flights from Yellowknife have not been finalized, said Mah.

Flight prices are continuously changing, she added.

"We aim to be competitive in all markets," said Mah.