Image: frederictonairport.ca
More than 650,000 fewer passengers travelled in the region in April of this year compared to the same month last year, a 97 percent decline, says the Atlantic Canada Airports Association (ACAA).
The industry representative for the 12 airports in the region says the first month of losses is just the beginning of what will be a very challenging year. Beyond reduced seat capacity and minimal demand for travel, the ACAA says the region currently has the strictest travel restrictions in the country.
Nonetheless, ACAA Executive Director Monette Pasher says they must remain operational for essential services.
“These losses are problematic and there will be no quick economic recovery for our region,” said Pasher in a release.
“Airports are serving an important role in fighting the pandemic by enabling medical equipment and personnel to travel to the region, and they will play an active part in its economic recovery.”
“Airports can’t close – they are needed for medevac, moving cargo and essential workers. It’s been a real challenge balancing the need for essential operations work with the operating revenue losses our airports are facing daily.”
Collectively, the airports posted a $15-million revenue loss from the decline in commercial air travel, and they’re braced for cumulative losses of $118-million by year-end.
The association says experts estimate it will take three to five years for passenger traffic to recover to 2019 levels.
A version of this story was published in Huddle, an Acadia Broadcasting content partner.
