Just over one month ago, Connect Airlines received its United States certification to operate flights in the U.S. Today, Connect operated its first proving flight from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ).

One step closer to passenger operations

On July 5, Connect Airlines received its all-clear from the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) to begin flights once its proving flights were completed. At the end of June, the Department of Transportation had given interested parties seven days to argue against Connect's application to operate passenger flights and received no pushback. A few weeks later, the approval was given, and the DOT issued the following statement:

"We issue a certificate of public convenience and necessity to Waltzing Matilda Aviation, LLC d/b/a Connect Airlines to engage in interstate scheduled air transportation in the form and subject to the terms, conditions, and limitations attached."

In order to operate passenger flights to the United States, Connect Airlines has to meet three criteria. The first is the evidence of capital raised, which should not be a problem considering the airline has gotten this far in the process. The second is to inform the DOT if it plans to operate more than seven large aircraft on scheduled services. The final criteria that Connect must meet is to submit a progress report upon completing the first year of operations. None of these criteria are extremely demanding and as of last month, the airline already had two Dash 8-400s in its fleet and ready to fly.

UPDATE: 2022/08/17 11:02 EST BY LUKAS SOUZA

Connect Airlines Proving Flights

Connect Airlines' proving flights are scheduled into early September but are subject to change based on daily conditions such as weather. The flights are being operated to and from Connect's base at Laurence G. Hanscom Field (BED) in Bedford, Massachusetts, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ).

Planned operations

Connect Airlines has plans to fly Canadian-built Q400 turboprop aircraft from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) to airports in the United States Northeast and Midwest, operating in a model similar to Porter Airlines. The airline is eyeing flights to Chicago O'Hare (ORD) and to Philadelphia (PHL). Connect Airline is a new concept created by Waltzing Matilda Aviation, which has been around for 15 years. Waltzing Matilda has offered chartered services from Boston using its own business jets and other aircraft in its fleet but to operate scheduled passenger flights, the airline had to change up its game plan.

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Photo: Connect Airlines

Two of the biggest changes that Waltzing Matilda had to make were acquiring aircraft and changing branding so that both the American and Canadian markets would be attracted by the new airline. In addition, the airline had to acquire both Canadian and American operator certificates. The first step was to acquire the American certificate, and in turn, Connect was able to apply for Canada's Foreign Air Operator Certificate. Canadian authorities had a 60-day window to approve the airline's operator certificate. Connect Airlines CEO John Thomas told Simple Flying,

“We continue our work alongside the FAA to complete our proving runs, and with the Canadian government to ensure we meet their foreign operator standards. Connect looks forward to delivering a Smarter Way to Fly by reducing aviation’s carbon emissions and providing safe and reliable air service.”

In the coming weeks and months, significant progress can be expected from Connect Airlines, and hopefully, it will soon be carrying passengers.