Despite strict COVID-19 travel restrictions still in place, passenger numbers were slightly better than expected last month at the Greater Moncton Romeo LeBlanc International Airport.
Almost 6,000 passengers went through the airport in July compared to more than 61,000 in July 2019.
Passenger traffic bottomed out at 1,078 in May during the pandemic lockdown – a drop of 98 percent.
Revenue in 2020 is expected to fall by $10.6 million or 52 percent.
As a result, Airport CEO Bernard LeBlanc says the workforce has been reduced by 26 percent.
LeBlanc says the airport typically has 34 full-time employees and the layoffs and early retirements has meant a total reduction of nine employees (two managers, one non-unionized, six unionized).
He says all departments have seen workforce reductions which has been accomplished by combining roles and job responsibilities to ensure all needs are met during this transition period.
“The pandemic and its impacts on our industry have been devastating and remains a day to day challenge with recovery to 2019 passenger levels not anticipated until 2024,” noted LeBlanc.
“Until the provincial and federal governments deem it is safe to travel again, it will be challenging to recover financially and be self sustaining. This is why Canadian airports continue to seek federal government financial assistance to prevent long term impacts from both the operational and infrastructure perspectives,” he added.
