Todd Tripp, new airport CEO, establishes vision for Sudbury

Todd Tripp didn't waste any time getting down to work. The new CEO of the Sudbury airport said one of his goals is to bring a fourth airline to the community (fifth if you count Sunwing's winter flights) and find ways of enhancing the terminal's potential.

"The best way to do that," Tripp said, "is if the community supports the airport."

The relationship is two-way, said Tripp. He hopes the airport can establish solid ground support networks and create an efficient way of connecting customers to the terminal.

Once at the terminal, Tripp said, the airport has an opportunity to make the traveller's experience a positive one.

"We have to make sure we have a good restaurant that's open when the airlines come in," Tripp said, "and a tourism booth so you can find out what's going on in the community before you get there."

"If you've gone through Pearson (International Airport) you see all the retail, and the ability to shop before you go," Tripp said, "and we'd like to do that, on a much smaller scale."

Those kinds of changes can happen in a short time frame, Tripp said.

"I expect in a year you will have enhanced services and growth in airlines," he said.

• Sudbury's airport is getting a facelift

Tripp's plan to bring in another airline isn't just blind optimism. He definitely has a plan to make air travel from Sudbury viable, both for business travellers and locals.

But the airport must seriously look at developing the terminal building and enhancing its services before bringing in new players, he said.

"Every time you bring a new airline you're looking at more space being taken up," he said, "and in order to be efficient you have to have multiple systems so the airlines can come when it's efficient for them."

Eventually, Tripp hopes Sudburians consider air travel for something as common as a short trip to Toronto.

"Instead of driving down 69 for 3 or four hours, come to the airport get to Toronto in 45 minutes," he said.

"[It's about] making the best of connection process to Toronto," Tripp said, "[it's about] connecting Sudbury to the world."