Edmonton International Airport Passenger Traffic Soars in 2004

EDMONTON — The number of passengers flying to and from Edmonton climbed by 5.1% in 2004, Edmonton Airports reported today. In 2004, 4.1 million passengers used Edmonton International Airport. This is a 5.1% increase from the 2003 passenger total of 3.9 million.

Growth was experienced in all sectors with the strongest occurring in transborder (travel between Canada and the U.S.) at a record increase of 18.8% due in part to increased U.S. nonstop services offered from Edmonton International Airport. Three more U.S. nonstop destinations were welcomed in 2004: Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Chicago. These destinations join Seattle, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Denver and Houston bringing the total number to eight — that’s up from two in 1995.

International growth (travel between an international destination other than the U.S.) also attained a record with a 16.4 % increase over 2003. This can be attributed to expanded summer and winter charter services to destinations such as Mexico City, Cancun, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and London Gatwick.

Domestic traffic (travel within Canada) continued with the growth trend in 2004 with a 2.9% increase in passengers over 2003.

                        2003             2004             % increase
Domestic           3,326,111      3,423,024      2.9%
Transborder       447,187         531,440        18.8%
International      109,199         127,101        16.4%
Total                 3,882,497       4,081,565     5.1%

“Overall 2004 was a record year for us,” states Reg Milley, President and CEO of Edmonton Airports. “This is great news for the airport, but more importantly it’s also great news for our entire community. The record growth we are experiencing is reflective of the robust regional economy. Increased services provide more convenience for travellers who now have more choices than ever in carriers, destinations and service levels.”

This record growth continues into 2005 with particularly strong transborder traffic recorded in January at 31.3% over the same month in 2004.

Edmonton Airports is a not-for-profit organization mandated to manage the region’s airport assets on behalf of and in the best interest of the community.