Sudbury, Ontario – October 18, 2025 – Brock Henderson, Chief Operating Officer of Pivot Airlines, participated in a panel discussion on the future of aviation at the Airport Management Council of Ontario (AMCO) 40th annual conference held in Sudbury, October 5-8, 2025.
Read the full conference coverage: Regulatory tangles, lack of funding impeding growth, say airline reps - Sudbury.com
Panel Discussion: The Future of Aviation
Henderson joined industry leaders including Giovanna Verrilli, CEO of the Greater Sudbury Airport; Ranbir Singh, Director of Regional Airlines and Markets for Air Canada; and Joey Petrisor, President and CEO of Perimeter Aviation, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing regional aviation in Ontario.
The panel addressed critical issues including regulatory complexity, infrastructure funding shortages, and the importance of collaboration in the regional aviation sector.
Infrastructure and Service Requirements
Henderson emphasized the fundamental infrastructure requirements necessary for regional airline operations, highlighting de-icing equipment as a critical factor in service planning.
"At Pivot, the very basic necessity is de-icing equipment, and if an airport can't offer that, it's going to knock you down to the next level of service," Henderson explained.
This underscores the challenges regional carriers face when working with airports that may lack essential ground services infrastructure.
The Power of Collaboration
A key theme of Henderson's remarks was the value of industry collaboration in addressing operational challenges and expanding service capabilities.
"I think part of the takeaway from the industry is how effective collaboration can be," Henderson said.
He cited a real-world example from Manitoba, where Pivot conducted fire evacuation operations with maintenance and ground services support from Perimeter Aviation. Henderson believes this collaborative model can be replicated in other regions with other airline partners, demonstrating how carriers can work together to serve communities more effectively.
Pivot's Comprehensive Service Offering
During the discussion, Henderson outlined Pivot Airlines' diverse range of services, which extend beyond traditional scheduled flights. The airline provides:
- Regional scheduled flights
- Charter services
- ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance) operations
- Essential aviation services for remote communities
- Aircraft management services
This versatile approach enables Pivot to respond to varied market needs while maintaining operational flexibility.
Conference Context
The AMCO conference brought together airport managers, airline executives, government officials, and industry stakeholders from across Ontario to discuss the future of regional aviation. Key topics included:
- Regulatory challenges facing regional carriers
- Infrastructure funding gaps (the federal Airports Capital Assistance Program currently sits at $36 million—insufficient to meet the needs of hundreds of airports nationwide)
- Innovation in regional air service delivery
- Collaborative opportunities between carriers and airports
About Airport Management Council of Ontario (AMCO)
AMCO represents airports across Ontario, advocating for the development and sustainability of aviation infrastructure throughout the province. The organization's annual conference serves as a critical forum for addressing challenges and opportunities in Ontario's aviation sector.
About Pivot Airlines
Pivot Airlines is Canada's boutique regional and charter operator, delivering essential and emergency aviation, ACMI and CPA support, FIFO logistics, aircraft management, and tailored charters. Based in Ontario, Canada, Pivot is trusted by governments, communities, and businesses for its operational responsiveness, reliability, and service focus.
Media Coverage: Read full article on Sudbury.com
Media Contact: media@flypivot.com