Building on eight years in a row of record-breaking growth, travellers continued to flock to the Fredericton International Airport in the first quarter of 2018, with traffic up 12 per cent compared to the previous year.

The launch of an additional year-round air carrier in September, Porter Airlines, and new choices for travellers seeking a sun getaway on Sunwing or Air Transat during the winter contributed to the increased passenger numbers. Both Air Canada and WestJet continued to see strong loads in the first quarter as well.

“Growth in traffic means so much more than more people getting on airplanes. It means that our entire region benefits from more jobs, more investors coming to our region, families enjoying vacations, and better connections to markets for local businesses,” says Johanne Gallant, President and CEO of the Fredericton International Airport Authority.

Travellers enjoyed a choice of five direct sun destinations in winter 2018, complementing YFC’s convenient service to Ottawa and downtown Toronto with Porter Airlines, and easy connections worldwide via Air Canada and WestJet. The sun destination season continues until May 7.

The Fredericton International Airport (YFC) serves approximately 398,000 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 brings 662 jobs, $8-million in taxes, and $25.8-million in labour income to New Brunswick every year.