Courtesy GMIAA
After a couple of tough years for the aviation industry due to pandemic disruptions, there are some signs of recovery at the Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport (YQM).
In its annual general meeting conducted virtually on Friday, the airport reported a slight increase in cargo activity in 2021 although there was a significant slowdown in international activity in the second half of the year.
However, domestic activity with Cargojet and Fed Ex made up for this international volume slowdown.
Passenger numbers were higher last year at 177,040 but still 74 percent lower than in pre-pandemic 2019 with 674,406 passengers.
Airport CEO Bernard LeBlanc noted how a number of capital projects worth about $9 million were completed such as runway rehabilitation, upgrades to the de-icing system and replacement of the firefighting fleet.
“We’ve been fortunate during the pandemic because we’ve benefited from federal government financial support and that’s greatly assisted in achieving this.”
LeBlanc said support from Ottawa prevented them from having to borrow money.
In 2021, the airport generated a net income of $1.7 million which compares to 2020’s net loss of $6.5 million.
In addition to Air Canada, Westjet and Porter, LeBlanc noted some new carriers now serving the airport.
“We have two brand new airlines – PAL and Swoop – and we’ve got a third one on the way… so stay tuned. We’ve also established six new routes including Hamilton, Edmonton, Wabush, Deer Lake, St. John’s and Billy Bishop Toronto Island.”
International carriers Air Transat and Sunwing are expected to offer sunshine destination flights again in 2023.
LeBlanc is retiring as CEO after seven years and has passed the torch to Courtney Burns who has served as the airport’s director of finance and administration since 2017.
Burns, the airport’s first woman CEO, will be introducing herself to members of the media on Monday.
