By Tom Peters
PORT HASTINGS: Port Hastings-based Celtic Air Services is entering a new phase of growth, marked by a strategic partnership and a return to its helicopter roots.
“We have entered into a partnership agreement with Great Lakes Helicopter Corp. and we will have Celtic Air helicopters returning to the area starting May 20,” Co-Owner of Celtic Air Dave Morgan said. “It’s pretty exciting for us. We originally started this business with a helicopter business plan, then it became more of an airport management company. Then it’s gone into fuel sales, air charters, limousines and now we are getting back to helicopters again.”
Celtic Air is heading into its ninth season at the Allan J. MacEachen Airport and currently operates two fixed-wing aircraft: a Cessna 421, which accommodates four passengers and has a range of 1,480 km (800 nautical miles), and a Cessna 441, seating up to eight passengers, with a range of 3,185 km (1,720 nautical miles).
These aircraft primarily serve routes from the Eastern United States, as well as Ontario and Quebec, into the Port Hawkesbury area. The addition of helicopters will further diversify the company’s offerings.
Celtic will reintroduce rotary-wing services with one LongRanger LR4 to start.
“It has a luxury interior with captain’s chairs in back to transport businesspeople, executives, golfers, and anybody who needs to get somewhere quickly,” Morgan said.
He noted that “tour-type helicopters” are also expected to be added as the season progresses.
The new partnership and expanded fleet will bring employment opportunities.
“We will have two new pilot jobs here at the airport,” Morgan confirmed, adding that this is an exciting development. “You can hop out of your jet and into a helicopter and go.”
The service is well-positioned to cater to high-end destinations such as the world-renowned Cabot golf courses in Inverness, just a short helicopter ride from Port Hastings.
“Aviation is about saving time. It’s about getting somewhere quicker and enjoying yourself,” Morgan said.
Celtic Air is also exploring further expansion opportunities throughout Atlantic Canada, including additional airport and charter operations.
The company’s workforce is expected to grow alongside its operations. Morgan anticipates staffing will reach approximately 45 employees during peak season, an increase of about 15 over last year. Off-season staffing typically ranges from 10 to 18 employees.
Growth is also being driven by two other major initiatives: the completion of a $3-million, 10,000-square-foot hangar, and the opening of a new restaurant, Three Square, in Auld’s Cove.
“We have two maintenance aviation engineers on staff now,” Morgan said of the new hangar. In addition to supporting Celtic’s aircraft, the facility could benefit organizations like the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC), which manages search and rescue operations across Atlantic Canada.
“We are excited to keep aircraft in, out of the weather, but it also changed the way the military can respond to incidents nearby,” Morgan noted. “It has also changed the way medevacs can operate here when the weather is poor.”
He emphasized the broader community impact: “Having the hangar and the benefits it offers has increased the standards for the entire area. For people who don’t know, it changed their lives.”
The hangar also allows for safe sheltering of medevac aircraft – something previously unavailable.
“That’s where it is going to change the level of service completely,” Morgan said.
Meanwhile, the Three Square Restaurant – a new addition under the Celtic Air umbrella – was set to open the weekend of May 11–12. The restaurant will emphasize locally sourced ingredients and serve multiple purposes.
“We are sort of seeing it as an opportunity to do some airplane catering in-house and also to have a place for folks to get out and eat a good, local meal,” Morgan explained. “We support local producers, whether it is fishermen or farmers. We purchase as much locally as we can.”
Morgan concluded by reflecting on Celtic’s continued growth: “We are always growing. We have an aircraft based in Fredericton as well. It’s all good stuff at Celtic Air.”