North Pacific Seaplanes is not cancelling its Rupert-Queen Charlotte route, despite fewer passengers and a rumour that it was going to pull out, according to airline manager Gene Storey.The flights, scheduled for Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, have seen fewer passengers and more cancelled departures over the past few weeks, but that doesn't mean the airline is leaving."It has been tough to work with over there," said Mr. Storey, "there's not much happening there, logging and lodges have been cutback substantially, it is kind of a grim outlook...It seems most people are driving to Masset, or maybe the big new ferry is why people aren't flying, but we are optimistic that over time it will get better," he said.Mr. Storey also noted there's been an overall downturn across the globe, saying there just aren't as many tourists coming through the region as in past years."We are still offering flights three days a week," said Mr. Storey, we are, however, hoping that we can have a minimum of three passengers on each flight, if the passengers are there, we will fly," he said.A round trip from Queen Charlotte to Prince Rupert, with a stop in Sandspit, costs $402.The airline flies Masset-Prince Rupert twelve times a week for $320 return.