Transportation infrastructureTransportation infrastructure includes an airport, maritime and road infrastructure. They are particularly important to the archipelago because of its insularity. This section outlines the main infrastructure components. Air transportationThe insular aspect of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon makes air and maritime transportation essential. Saint-Pierre and Miquelon has two airports: one in Saint-Pierre-Pointe-Blanche and the other in Miquelon. The Saint-Pierre international airport has a 1,800-metre landing strip that can extend to 2,200 metres. Therefore, large airplanes can land in Saint-Pierre in various weather conditions. In fact, the airport is equipped with category III instruments. Turboprop and jet airplanes such as ATR 72, BAE 146, B737, DC 9 and A310-200 airplanes can land in Saint-Pierre. The airport in Miquelon has a 1,000-metre landing strip. These airports are served by Air Saint-Pierre with two types of airplanes: the ATR 42 and the Cessna F406. The airplane is the principal means of transportation off the archipelago from November to April (aside from private transportation and exceptions). The Air Saint-Pierre airline has flights year-round to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Halifax, Nova Scotia, and to Montreal, Quebec, as well as to Moncton, New Brunswick, and Sydney, Nova Scotia, in the summer. Maritime transportationSaint-Pierre and Miquelon's port activities are managed by the maritime service of the Direction de l'Équipement, a department of the French State. There is a port in Saint-Pierre, which is the hub for passengers and goods. The port in Miquelon (also a national one) is mainly used to transport passengers and goods to or from Saint-Pierre. Boats must contact their agent in Saint-Pierre or the harbour master's office at least 12 hours in advance to announce arrival. The port of Saint-Pierre has one section reserved for business and another for recreational boating, both equipped with several piers and moles. The piers and moles in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon can receive crafts up to 220 metres in length drawing a maximum of 9.5 m of water. Most piers and moles have water, gas and electric hook-ups. Transportation of goodsThe archipelago is highly dependent on imports. The main imported products are food and petroleum products. Two businesses share the local market (Alliance SA and TMS) and the international market is covered by Alliance SA. The following table summarizes maritime circulation at the port of Saint-Pierre.
Passenger transportationThere are three passenger ferries. The Saint-Georges, with a capacity of 118 passengers, ensures the link between Saint-Pierre and Langlade. Two boats navigate between Saint-Pierre and Fortune, Newfoundland: the Atlantic Jet, with a capacity of 264 passengers and the Arethusa, which is in use during the summer. The following table lists the number of international passengers arriving in and departing from Saint-Pierre.
Road transportationIn 2007, road infrastructures cost France and the Collectivité territoriale 2 million euros. Almost half this sum was used for maintenance alone. Saint-Pierre and Miquelon has 14.3 km of national roads and 103.2 km under the responsibility of the Collectivité territoriale. In 2007, there were more than 5,500 licensed vehicles, two-thirds of which were cars, one-third utility vehicles and the remaining 5% motorcycles. Taxi service is available at the following numbers:
Saint-Pierre and Miquelon has several locations to rent a car; they are listed below:
Bicycles can also be rented:
Transportation to/from Saint-Pierre and Miquelon
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