With more flights than ever and passenger traffic continuing to break records, the Fredericton International Airport Authority (FIAA) is reminding travellers to arrive early for their flights, especially during the busy summer season.

Most airlines recommend that you arrive at the airport:

• 90 minutes prior to a flight headed to a Canadian destination,
• three hours prior to an international flight (including sun destinations), and
• two hours prior to a flight destined for the United States.

However, travellers should always check directly with their airlines to confirm check-in times and options – and plan to go through security as soon as they’ve checked in.

“This increased traffic is great news for New Brunswick’s economy and quality of life, because the airport is a spark plug of our economy,” says Johanne Gallant, FIAA president and CEO.  “But it does create some challenges.”

Although the airport authority continues to work closely with the airlines and CATSA, the agency responsible for security screening at Canadian airports, to make the check-in and security process in the Fredericton International Airport as efficient as possible, “the bottom line is that our terminal is operating at 75% over the capacity it was designed to accommodate,” says Gallant.

The airport authority has completed design work for a much-needed terminal expansion, which would alleviate the current congestion and see a renovated terminal building designed to handle 500,000 passengers a year. FIAA has secured its portion of the funding for the terminal expansion project and is seeking the support of partners at the provincial and federal levels of government to secure the remainder needed.

The project is ready to go to tender, and construction would create 319 jobs.

In the meantime, travelers are encouraged to arrive early and ensure they go through security as soon as they’ve checked in.

Resources for travellers:

• Air Canada check-in times
• WestJet check-in times
• CATSA website – information on security screening, what items you can bring with you, and tips for travellers

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The Fredericton International Airport serves 350,000 passengers annually and offers direct daily service to the major hubs of Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and Halifax, along with seasonal service to Cancun, Varadero, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, and Holguin. A major employer in the region, the airport employs 269 people on site. By 2030, the airport will contribute $41.5-million in GDP, generate 1,015 jobs in New Brunswick, and serve 500,000 passengers annually.