Air Traffic in Edmonton Climbs Sharply
The International Airport almost doubled its traffic in June, Edmonton Airports announced today. Combined passenger traffic for both airports in June 1995 was 234,299, while the June 1996 figure at the International was 312,764 travellers. These figures represent a 34% increase in traffic over and above the impact of transferred passengers from the City Centre Airport, which occurred June 1, 1996.
Overall, Edmonton’s 1996 second quarter air passenger traffic was up 22%. Combined traffic from both the City Centre Airport (April and May only) and the International Airport (April, May and June) was 861,241 passengers, up from 669,327 passengers in the second quarter of 1995, for a 22% overall hike in passenger volume.
During the first quarter of 1996, traffic was up 24% over first quarter 1995 at the International Airport, and 12% at the City Centre Airport, for a city-wide increase of 20% in traffic.
Edmonton International Airport
April May June Second Quarter
1995 144,883 153,875 164,107 462,865
1996 188,349 192,101 312,764 693,214
Increase 43,466 38,266 148,657 230,349
% Increase 30% 25% 91% 50%
Edmonton City Centre Airport
April May June Second Quarter
1995 66,671 69,599 70,192 206,462
1996 81,135 86,892 0 168,027
Increase 14,464 17,293 n/a n/a
% Increase 22% 25% n/a n/a
“Certainly we are seeing the traffic stimulation which has resulted from the introduction of low-cost services, and the impact that has had on regional fares on all airlines,” said Edmonton Airports Marketing Vice President Garry King. “Lower prices mean more people will travel by air. We may see stimulation in the Manitoba/Ontario domestic market in the next quarter after the introduction of Greyhounds flights to eastern Canada. I also think people who used to drive to Calgary for flights are now finding those services available here at Edmonton International. For example, Canada 3000 introduced a Halifax non-stop service in May which is sold out through the summer. It is also apparent that Calgary-Edmonton corridor traffic has not switched to ground transportation.”