COVID-19 travel restrictions continued to hamper travel in 2021, with 100,844 passengers travelling through the Fredericton International Airport (YFC)—a 75% drop in traffic compared to pre-pandemic activity. Despite the ongoing pandemic, however, YFC achieved several milestones during 2021, including:

• Opening the new expanded terminal, providing travellers with a modern gateway that is an ambassador for our region. Construction began in 2019 and was funded though a partnership between the airport authority, the Government of Canada, and the Province of New Brunswick.
• Welcoming a new airline, PAL Airlines.
• Adding two new routes that directly connect Fredericton to the province of Newfoundland & Labrador for the first time.
• COVID-19 testing is now available at the airport for travellers headed to international destinations.
• Attaining Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Health Accreditation designation for a second year.

Financial support from the federal government has been crucial to airports across Canada this year. Thanks to this support the Fredericton International Airport was also able to proceed with critical safety related projects including electrical upgrades to the airfield and the purchase of new firetrucks, as well as mitigate losses from ongoing travel restrictions.

 

“I want to thank our travellers for choosing to fly from YFC, and our airlines for their loyalty to this market. This community is tremendously supportive, and we are optimistic for the future.” says Johanne Gallant, President and CEO of the Fredericton International Airport Authority (FIAA). “We also appreciate the federal government’s assistance and we are calling on them to continue this support by removing the restrictions placed on international flights to our airport so that we are back on a level playing field with other Canadian airports.”

 

These restrictions have been lifted at many Canadian airports but continue to be in place at 13 airports across Canada, including all New Brunswick airports. The restriction on international travel places the Fredericton International Airport at an artificial disadvantage for recovery.

 

“These have been challenging times, but with a new terminal building and new air carriers, we are ready to help our community and our province grow once again,” says Gallant.

Facts & Figures

• 100,844 people traveled through YFC in 2021, compared to 103,667 in 2020, and 427,085 in 2019.
• YFC was the fastest-growing airport in the Maritimes pre-pandemic.
• All of the airlines serving the Fredericton International Airport year-round (Air Canada, WestJet, PAL Airlines and Porter Airlines) have resumed service.
• Regular destinations include Toronto (Billy Bishop and Pearson Airports), Ottawa, Montreal, Deer Lake, and St. John’s.
• Terminal expansion was a $32-million project which finished in 2021 ahead of schedule and under budget.
• Sunwing flights suspended for 2022 due to international designation restriction.
• More than 20 companies operate at the Fredericton International Airport.

 

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With a brand-new terminal building and a track record as the fastest growing airport in the Maritimes over the past decade, the Fredericton International Airport (YFC) is ready to reconnect New Brunswickers with the world. Serving central and Western New Brunswick, including the capital city, Fredericton, YFC offers flights to Canadian hubs and sun destinations and is home to over 20 companies employing more than 300 New Brunswickers.