Fredericton International Airport Authority AGM focuses on growth

The Fredericton International Airport Authority (FIAA) celebrated a banner year at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) today at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, where a packed room of stakeholders and supporters, including leaders from government, business and the community, applauded its record-breaking performance in 2018.

The Fredericton International Airport (YFC) is on a steady, sustained upward trajectory. For the ninth straight year, its passenger numbers increased. In 2018 alone, this figure rose almost 7 per cent. Also in 2018, for the first time in its history, the airport passed the 400,000-passenger mark, welcoming 424,324 travellers.

This impressive growth is fueled by, and contributes to, opportunities and optimism in the Capital Region.

“YFC is so successful because it’s an important player in a dynamic, progressive, and growing community,” says FIAA President and CEO, Johanne Gallant. “Thank you to all our partners and stakeholders. You are fueling our growth.”

This powerful growth is behind one of the biggest investments in the airport’s history. In 2018, FIAA secured funding support from the Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick for a major terminal expansion.

“This project would not be possible without our government partners,” Gallant says. “Together, we’re building for the future.”

The expansion is urgently needed. The terminal is at more than double the capacity it was designed to accommodate, and passenger numbers keep climbing. Preparations for construction on the expanded terminal have begun and over the next  month and travellers will see changes in how departures and parking are accessed. Details and advisories will be posted to the expansion website as they become available. Visit expansion.YFCFredericton.ca for the latest information.

When it’s completed in 2021, the updated terminal will serve as an ambassador for the Fredericton region. It will make a contemporary first impression on business and leisure travellers and give local passengers a welcoming point of departure and arrival.

Other highlights from the FIAA AGM:

• YFC offers multiple daily flights to a number of Canadian hubs through three major carriers: Air Canada, Porter and WestJet. From there, the world awaits.
• FIAA remains committed to building a “safety first” approach into everything that they do. They upgraded infrastructure and communications systems in 2018 to further enhance emergency preparedness and safety.
• In 2018, YFC offered direct flights to five sun destinations in Cuba, Mexico and Dominican Republic through Air Transat and Sunwing.
• FIAA deeply values its community, and takes seriously its responsibility to give back. The 2018 YFC Runway Run raised $32,000 for the Canadian Mental Health Association of New Brunswick.

To learn more, download the FIAA’s annual report.

---

The Fredericton International Airport (YFC) serves over 424,000 passengers annually and offers direct daily service to the major hubs of Toronto (Pearson and Billy Bishop), Montreal, Ottawa and Halifax, along with seasonal service to the popular sun destinations Cancun, Cayo Coco, Cayo Santa Maria, Puerto Plata and Punta Cana. Through direct, indirect and induced economic activity, YFC generates 662 jobs, $38.8 million in GDP, and $25.8 million in labour income for New Brunswick every year.