EIA was flying high in 2014 with a record 8.2 million passengers

EIA recorded its busiest year ever in 2014, moving 8,240,161 passengers, up seven per cent from the previous year.  The numbers reflect strong growth in US travel (up 8.5 per cent) and international travel (up 13.1 per cent).

“These record-breaking numbers show Edmonton’s growing presence as a great destination with a world-class airport. EIA is a key economic driver for Edmonton, creating over 10,000 jobs, and generating economic output of over $1.5 billion, so this isn’t just a win for the airport, it’s a win for the Edmonton Region, and for Northern Alberta as a whole,” said Tom Ruth, President and CEO.

EIA also saw major gains in air service in 2014. Both Air Canada and WestJet, our two largest carriers, increased their overall seat capacity. Air Canada’s London-Heathrow service has moved to Terminal 5, significantly increasing international connection opportunities. WestJet, which carries over 50 per cent of our passengers, also announced that it would add a new route to Kamloops beginning in February 2015, and upgrade its non-stop flight to Halifax to year-round service. Icelandair began year-round service to Reykjavik, adding additional flights during the summer. American Airlines began service to Dallas-Fort Worth, and added a non-stop flight to Los Angeles. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines announced new non-stop passenger and cargo service to Amsterdam beginning in May 2015.

“In the span of just over a year, Icelandair, American Airlines and KLM have all begun or announced new air service from Edmonton, with Icelandair and American Airlines already growing their service.  Adding three major international air carriers is a great show of confidence that opens new destinations for leisure travellers, and new opportunities for business,” Mr. Ruth said.

EIA’s cargo services saw its fifth consecutive year of volume growth. Major dedicated freight carriers (Cargojet, DHL and Fedex) all upgauged to larger aircraft to accommodate higher volumes and larger shipments. Over 370,000 square feet of new cargo facilities were completed or announced in 2014. EIA completed a significant expansion of its cargo apron to create additional aircraft, parking, operating and storage areas. The ground-handling equipment fleet was enhanced by adding a new main deck loader and eight 20-foot dollies, resulting in increased cargo-loading capacity.

Commercial development was strong in 2014, with over $330 million spent or committed in private investment at EIA. Some key development highlights included the opening of the Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel, the announcement of a new EIA-Canadian North 737 simulation trainer, and construction of a second Aerocentre by Shell. Commercial development at EIA supports air service by attracting new passengers and services, and by providing revenue that is reinvested into air service development.

“With outstanding support from our community, from our passengers, and from our business partners, 2014 has been another great year for Edmonton International Airport. We can’t thank everyone enough for their contributions to this success,” Mr. Ruth said.

About Edmonton International Airport

Edmonton International Airport is a self-funded, not-for-profit corporation whose mandate is to drive economic prosperity for the Edmonton Region. EIA is Canada’s fastest-growing major airport over the past 10 years, the fifth-busiest airport by passenger traffic and the largest major Canadian airport by land area. EIA offers non-stop connections to more than 60 destinations across Canada, the US, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe. Please visit www.flyeia.com for more information.

Backgrounder

HIGHLIGHTS: FLYING HIGH IN 2014

Record Passenger Numbers: 2014 was the busiest year in EIA history with over 8,200,000 passengers served; 540,000 more than in 2013.

Number of Passengers Served at EIA from January 1 to December 31

NOTE:  Effective January 1, 2015, EIA will routinely include business and general aviation passengers in its total passenger count, consistent with reporting methods of Canada’s other major airports.   Business and general aviation includes non-scheduled air service such as corporate or private flights.

AIR SERVICE: 

EIA continued to realize its vision of More Flights to More Places.

• Both Air Canada and WestJet, our two largest carriers, increased their overall seat capacity. Air Canada’s London-Heathrow service has moved to Terminal 5, significantly increasing international connection opportunities. WestJet also announced that it would add a new route to Kamloops beginning in February 2015, and upgrade its non-stop flight to Halifax to year-round service.
• Icelandair began year-round service from Edmonton to Reykjavik in March 2014.
• American Airlines also begin new non-stop flights from EIA to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in April and to Los Angeles (LAX) in October.
• KLM also announced it will start non-stop passenger and cargo service between EIA and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in May, 2015.
• Regional air service grew, with WestJet launching its Encore service. WestJet announced new daily, non-stop service to Kamloops beginning in February 2015. WestJet will also increase service to Halifax to five times weekly and add an additional flight to Fort McMurray each day. Seat capacity continued to increase on existing domestic flights such as Regina (22 per cent) and Saskatoon (25 per cent) as well.
• Sun-seekers gained new options, as WestJet added service to Cancun each Wednesday and Puerto Vallarta each Tuesday. Sunwing added new weekly flights to Freeport, Bahamas; Ixtapa and Manzanillo, Mexico, and Liberia, Costa Rica and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Air Transat also added weekly flights to Manzanillo and Los Cabos, Mexico.

CARGO OPERATIONS:

EIA’s cargo services saw its fifth consecutive year of volume growth, with a number of key activities:

• The world’s-largest aircraft, the Antonov AN-225, delivered a 154 metric tonne waste heat boiler to EIA.
• Braden-Burry Expediting (BBE) relocated to EIA’s Cargo Village, to the same building as Canada Border Services Agency, increasing BBE’s warehousing space by 20,000 sq. ft.
• DHL opened a new, larger, more modern facility in Cargo Village, and upgauged daily EIA flights from a Boeing 737 to a wide body Boeing 767 aircraft for the holiday period. DHL also launched a new commercial route between its Americas hub in Cincinnati and Edmonton International Airport, offering enhanced capacity. Shipments arrive earlier in the morning and leave later in the evening, greatly improving delivery speed and convenience.
• Cargojet upgauged its Edmonton service from a Boeing 757-F to a wide body B-767-F, increasing the maximum payload per flight by 25 per cent and total volume by 85 per cent. Cargojet also added an additional daily EIA B-757-F flight.
• Icelandair launched cargo operations from EIA in April 2014, providing Alberta with access to an expanded air cargo network with valuable new transatlantic capacity.
• Terracap Management Inc. and Edmonton Airports agreed on the construction of a second airside cargo facility within EIA’s Cargo Village. The first of the building’s two 25,000 sq. ft. phases is expected to open in late 2015.
• EIA upgraded its ground handling equipment fleet with a brand-new Commander 60 main deck loader and eight 20-foot dollies, increasing our cargo-loading capacity.
• EIA invested in a significant expansion of our cargo apron, creating additional parking for two large F-type aircraft (largest category), and additional parking, operating and storage space, including aircraft nose tethers.

COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT:

Commercial development at EIA supports air service both by attracting new passengers, airlines and other business, and by generating revenue that can be reinvested into air service development.  EIA’s $30 million 2014 investment in commercial infrastructure paved the way for a number of successes:

• The opening of the new Renaissance https://flyeia.com/corporate/media/news/world-renowned-h…national-airport/dmonton Airport Hotel, offering travellers a comfortable, convenient option for overnight accommodation right at the airport.
• The announcement of a new EIA-Canadian North 737 simulation trainer.
• Construction of a second Aerocentre by Shell.
• Construction of a new hangar for Airco Aircraft Charters.
• The opening of Executive Flight Centre’s refurbished industrial charter terminal T4.
• The opening of Big Eagle Service’s new facility at EIA.
• Start of construction of the new Patrik’s Water Hauling Ltd. facility at EIA.

VILLENEUVE AIRPORT:

Villeneuve Airport is the region’s official Satellite Airport, and is a key aviation asset. Its 2014 milestones include:

• Certification of the recently completed expansion of one runway from 3,500 ft. to 5,000ft. and the addition of an Instrument Landing System (ILS).
• Opening of two new facilities, Villeneuve Aero Services and the Michael Clements hangar.
• Five more facilities are currently under construction, including Sky Dynamics (second facility), Rotorcraft Garage Inc., Polaris Air., Sarasota Developments Inc. and Hangar Holdings Inc.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

EIA is proud to work with over 60 community partners that help to make our community a great place to live by support art, music, culture, sport, safety, health and wellness:

• Our Fourth Annual EIA Charity Golf Classic helped to raise more than $140,000 for the Youth Empowerment and Support Services (YESS), Leduc and District Food Bank, and Rise Up House.
• EIA’s Art Program showcases local artists to the world and brings international art to the Edmonton Region.
• EIA’s LIVE! Music Program provides a venue for young local artists to fill the airport with beautiful music. EIA also supported the 2014 Canadian Country Music Association Awards.
• EIA participated in many community events such as K-Days and Heritage Festival.  We supported sporting events such as International Triathlon Union, FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, and the Tour of Alberta, and encouraged the public to save lives as part of CPR Month.
• We were pleased to honour our military by supporting events such as the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry 100^th Anniversary, Wounded Warriors Weekend, and Remembrance Day ceremonies.

AWARDS:  EIA and its partners received a number of awards and honours:

• Alto award for marketing partnership with Icelandair and Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC), presented by Travel Alberta
• 2014 Certificate of Building Excellence for Central Tower, presented by BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA)
• 2014 The Outstanding Building of the Year (TOBY) for Central Tower, presented by BOMA
• BOMA Certificate of Achievement (Level 2) for Central Tower
• Airport Council International – North America marketing and communications awards of excellence in Annual Report, Community Outreach, Partnering with Carriers, and Video and Film Production.
• Plaza Premium was named Lounge of the Year North America by Priority Pass.
• Metalsmiths Sterling was named 2014 Best Overall Retailer Award, Small Division, presented by Airport Revenue News (ARN).