Things keep getting busier at the Fredericton International Airport, and while this is great news for the western New Brunswick economy and quality of life, it does bring a few challenges – specifically, busier lines at check-in counters and security screening.

That’s why the Fredericton International Airport is reminding passengers to arrive early for their flights, especially during the busy sun vacation season.

“We have a new year-round WestJet flight beginning March 3^rd, and three new sun destinations – Cancun, Varadero, and Holguin – during the winter months,” says Johanne Gallant, president and CEO of the Fredericton International Airport Authority (FIAA). “That’s a considerable increase in traffic over the next few months.”

Most airlines recommend that you arrive at the airport:

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

However, travellers should always check directly with their airlines to confirm check-in times and options.

To make the check-in and security process in the Fredericton International Airport as efficient as possible, the airport authority continues to work closely with the airlines and CATSA, the agency responsible for security screening at Canadian airports. However, the current terminal was built for a capacity of 200,000 travellers a year and is currently serving 350,000.

“The bottom line is that our terminal is operating at 75% over the capacity it was designed to accommodate,” says Gallant.

FIAA is seeking the support of partners at the provincial and federal levels of government to secure the funding needed for the terminal expansion project, which would see a renovated terminal building designed to handle 500,000 passengers a year. The project is ready to go to tender, and could begin construction this spring if funding is in place.

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

Resources for travellers:

• Air Canada check-in times
• Air Transat check-in times
• WestJet check-in times
• Sunwing – Scroll down to “Airport check-in” for 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, and Holguin.