Calgary, Alberta (July 26, 2018) – Today marks the busiest travel day of the year with over 52,000 guests travelling through YYC Calgary International Airport, providing an outlook that showcases the positive growth for the year coming at YYC. With record passenger volumes to-date, The Calgary Airport Authority (the Authority) anticipates 17 million guests will travel through YYC by the end of 2018.
With an overall growth of 6.4 per cent to date, YYC has experienced a significant increase in the number of travellers, driven primarily through the growth in U.S./international travel with an increase of 7.6 per cent and 9.6 per cent, respectively. Strong connections to growing business markets like those of China, Mexico and Europe, position YYC as a major economic driver, creating and maintaining over 50,000 indirect jobs and contributing to $8 billion in economic activity.
The increase in passenger traffic can be attributed to the Authority’s integration of a number of new services, airline partners and ventures. WestJet has invested significantly in its largest Hub, going from 114 flights per day to 147 this summer and Air Canada’s increase in capacity and frequency has provided guests with more opportunities for travel across Canada. In addition, YYC has welcomed Flair Airlines, a Frontier Airlines direct service to Denver and an American Airlines direct service to Chicago. German airline Condor also added seven additional flights to Frankfurt and Hainan’s service to Beijing continues to grow with added capacity. All of these additions have resulted in YYC becoming one of the best connected airports in Canada for a city of its population base.
“Through steady improvement, we’re creating a world-class hub for our province that positions us for decades of growth and the ability to continue to provide jobs for our city,” said Bob Sartor, President and CEO of The Calgary Airport Authority. “YYC is a major economic generator and more passengers arriving and departing from our airport is a sign of increased tourism and enhanced business development occurring in Calgary.”
As YYC grows, the Authority continues to look for opportunities to modernize its domestic facilities, furthering its commitment to elevating guest experiences with new retail and food & beverage locations, enhanced check-in areas, and new flooring. This week marks the official launch of the first phase of a new state-of-the-art tote-based baggage system in the Domestic Terminal, which will seamlessly connect to the new International Terminal’s system. With growth on the horizon, YYC is positioned to remain a well-connected hub in Western Canada.
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About the Calgary Airport Authority
The Calgary Airport Authority is a not-for-profit organization incorporated under the Regional Airports Authorities Act of Alberta. The Calgary Airport Authority is responsible for the management, operation and development of YYC Calgary International Airport and Springbank Airport (YBW). YYC is an important economic engine for the city, region and province, welcoming 16.3 million passengers in 2017, supporting more than 50,000 jobs and generating billions of GDP per annum in economic activity.
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