Edmonton International Airport passenger growth sets torrid pace
Edmonton, Alta. — Edmonton International Airport — Canada’s fastest-growing major airport — continues to record unprecedented passenger growth rates in 2007.
June 2007 was the busiest month on a per-day basis in Edmonton International’s history with 507,949 passengers, representing a 22.2 per cent increase from June 2006 when 415,822 passengers were served. Year-to-date passenger volumes have increased by 18.7 per cent.
“We are now in our 18th consecutive month of double-digit growth,” says Reg Milley, Edmonton Airports President and CEO. “What’s even more remarkable is that the entire airport community has rallied to respond to this record-breaking growth and our staff continues to provide top customer service to our many customers.”
International growth leads pack
Edmonton International is posting double-digit percentage passenger volume increases in all major market segments.
Domestic — 20.7% (June) and 15.3% (year-to-date)
U.S. — 12.2% (June) and 21.3% (year-to-date)
International —182.9% (June) and 77.7% (year-to-date)
The more than twofold increase in international passengers from June 2006 to June 2007 is driven by Air Canada’s non-stop service to London-Heathrow. Other international destinations are also on a major upswing. In the first half of 2007, Mexico continued its growth as the largest and fastest growing international destination for Edmonton, and most other sun destinations showed triple-digit increases over 2006. International flights have quadrupled since last summer, jumping to 12 departures per week from three.
On the domestic side, Sunwing’s new non-stop Toronto service and Air Canada’s summer non-stop service to Halifax helped propel domestic traffic to new highs. WestJet continues to expand rapidly at Edmonton International with almost 40 per cent of all seats dispatched belonging to the Alberta-based airline. Edmonton International also replaced Vancouver earlier in the spring as WestJet’s third largest hub.
From July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007, almost 5.7 million passengers used Edmonton International.
“With July and August expected to be our busiest ever, we are on track to reach or surpass six million passengers in 2007,” says Milley. “The current terminal was built to handle 5.5 million passengers, so we are asking for everyone’s patience and support as we keep pace with this extraordinary growth.”
Passengers can ease their experience by arriving at the airport at least 15 minutes prior the airline-recommended check-in time to park, check-in and clear security.
Airport expansion is already underway with a 1,000 new parkade stalls currently under construction, as well as new de-icing pads and aircraft parking space. Planning continues for the terminal with additional construction slated to commence sometime in 2008.
“We have the best air service in our region’s history and we can make it even better by encouraging regional residents to always choose Edmonton International for their air travel needs,” Milley says.
For the latest flight and travel information, visit www.flyeia.com.
– 30 –
Edmonton International Airport is Canada’s fastest-growing major airport.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Edmonton Airports Corporate Communications
Jim Rudolph
Phone: 780.890.8454
Cell: 780.717.5117
E-mail: jrudolph@flyeia.com