Parking lot expands to make room for record-breaking air traffic
Traffic continues to grow at the Fredericton International Airport, but finding a parking spot is about to get easier for travellers.
The airport authority is undertaking an extension of the long-term parking lot which will add 249 spaces and upgrade traffic flow and payment options to improve the customer experience.
This project is critically needed to accommodate current traffic as well as in preparation for the proposed terminal expansion. With the parking lot completely full at times this year, the airport authority has had to get creative to ensure everyone has had a space to park.
“The airport is an ambassador for our community,” says Johanne Gallant, President and CEO of the Fredericton International Airport Authority (FIAA). “Increased traffic is a good challenge to have, but we need to make sure our travellers are receiving the level of service they deserve. This is a step in the right direction.”
With indications that traffic will continue to be steady throughout the sun charter season, the parking lot expansion simply couldn’t wait.
“August 2016 was our busiest month ever, with over 38,000 passengers coming through the Fredericton International Airport, and we have five direct sun destinations this year – two more than during the 2016 season,” says Ms. Gallant.
While this project will improve the parking experience, the airport terminal building is currently operating 75 per cent beyond the capacity it was designed to handle and a terminal expansion is urgently required to accommodate current traffic and anticipated growth. 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 remaining funds. The project is shovel-ready, and construction would create 319 jobs.
Meanwhile, the parking lot expansion and upgrades are expected to be complete in November 2016 – well before travellers begin to take off for the busy sun charter season.
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.