Edmonton International poised to surpass six million passenger

Edmonton, Alta. — Edmonton International Airport — Canada’s fastest-growing major airport —recorded its 22nd consecutive month of double-digit passenger growth and has served nearly six million passengers in the past 12 months.

“With a 17.3 per cent passenger growth rate through the end of October, we are on track in 2007 to exceed the six-million passenger milestone for the first time in Edmonton International’s history,” says Reg Milley, Edmonton Airports President and CEO. “What’s remarkable is that it was only in 2006 that we broke through the five-million passenger mark for the first time.”

Heated growth demonstrates pent-up demand

Edmonton International is posting double-digit passenger volume percentage increases in all major market segments.

Domestic — 14.1 per cent (year-to-date)
U.S. — 18.5 per cent (year-to-date)
International — 105.7 per cent (year-to-date)

“These unprecedented growth numbers are important because they help us build the case with airlines that Edmonton and Northern and Western Canada deserve even more air service through Edmonton International, especially to international destinations such as Frankfurt or Amsterdam,” says Milley.

“They also demonstrate that our planned $1-billion expansion program will be required to accommodate this current demand and to ensure we continue to meet our expanding air service — the best air service in our region’s history.”

International is the fastest-growing segment of the airport’s surging traffic. International passenger traffic in summer 2007 was up by 223 per cent over summer 2006 with Air Canada’s London-Heathrow daily non-stop service, new charters to Mexico and strong charter traffic to Europe.

Flights to and from Europe increased to 22 per week from just four in 2006.

With the busy holiday and sun vacation season on the doorstep, passengers can ease their experience by arriving at the airport at least 15 minutes prior the their flight’s earliest check-in time to park, check-in and clear security. 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
Web: www.flyeia.com