CALGARY, AB--(Marketwired - January 26, 2016) - Calgary International Airport (YYC) once again reached a new passenger milestone in 2015, welcoming a record 15.48 million passengers. This figure represents an increase of 1.4 per cent over 2014, which was also a record year for YYC.
Cargo volumes at YYC also grew, with a 4.65 per cent increase over 2014, bringing the total amount of cargo transported through YYC in 2015 to 135,695 tonnes.
Amid strong performance through the year, YYC finished 2015 with a record-breaking month, handling almost 1.3 million passengers in December; 2.6 per cent more than the same month in 2014.
Garth Atkinson, President and CEO for the Calgary Airport Authority acknowledges the continued growth at YYC in 2015, and the airport's strong finish, came amid a very challenging year economically for the region.
"While those challenges continue, we are optimistic about economic recovery and are confident in the role we will continue to play in providing economic stability during these challenging times and supporting the recovery and renewed growth here in Alberta."
"We offer significant access to markets for businesses with cargo to move and connectivity to get business and leisure travellers to their desired destinations, and are well positioned to add new destinations to the YYC network in the future," Atkinson adds.
More destinations and services added for passengers
Among the highlights in 2015 were the arrival or announcement of a number of new destinations and services, including:
- WestJet introduced new service to Fort Lauderdale; Huatulco, Mexico; and Liberia, Costa Rica. Extended winter service began to Houston; Yellowknife; and Terrace, B.C. and the airline announced year-round service to London-Gatwick to begin May 2016.
- WestJet added two Boeing 767-300ER wide-body aircraft to its fleet, for service between Calgary-Hawaii in winter 2015, and its 2016 service between YYC and London-Gatwick.
- Air Canada introduced new daily year-round flights between YYC and Halifax and Nanaimo, B.C. It also announced it was converting winter-only service between Calgary and Phoenix to year-round service, and will commence service connecting YYC with San Francisco in 2016.
- Sunwing and Air Transat increased the number of destinations served and frequency of flights they operate out of YYC.
- Hanjin Travel ran summer charters between Calgary and Seoul, South Korea in July and August on a Korean Air aircraft.
- Edelweiss announced summer seasonal, twice-weekly service to Zürich, Switzerland commencing May 2016.
Continued growth in cargo and logistics capacity
YYC continues to be a leader in offering strategic airside access and on-airport multimodal facilities to support ongoing growth in cargo handling and management. Calgary International Airport offers nation-leading warehouse, logistics, and distribution services and capacity, with more than three million square feet of space on airport land.
In 2015, as part of the continued growth of its Global Logistics Park, YYC opened a new 30,000 sq. ft. specialized cargo facility and broke ground on a new 100,000 sq. ft. airside cargo facility which will open in the fall of 2016. YYC also completed a 520,000 sq. ft. cargo apron expansion.
2016 -- A new International Terminal
Major construction on the two-million square foot addition has been completed. Work in 2016 will focus on tenant fit-out, final equipment installation, testing, training and other finishing details. The terminal will add 24 new gates to accommodate International and U.S.-destined passengers and new, streamlined passenger check-in and connections processes. The expansion project will also incorporate YYC LINK, a custom-designed, made in Canada, 10-person people-mover that will transport passengers quickly and efficiently between concourses in the expanded facility.
Some of the key accomplishments in 2015 include:
- The geothermal and radiant heat systems in the terminal are now operational.
- The Connections Corridor, which will provide passengers with several transportation options including moving walkways and YYC LINK service between Concourses B and C, fully opened to passengers in October.
- Ten of the 24 new passenger boarding bridges have been installed, supporting the new gates for international and U.S.-destined flights.
- The new Crisplant Baggage System is fully installed and currently undergoing testing.
- Eighteen out of 20 self-bag drop units designed to help streamline passenger check-in processes are installed.
- The pedestrian skywalk and pedestrian tunnel connecting the International terminal facility to the International parkade (P2) are complete.
Springbank Airport (YBW) Reaches New Heights
Springbank Airport, located 26 kilometres west of Calgary's city centre, is operated by the Calgary Airport Authority. One of the busiest airports in Canada for aircraft movements, it supports light aircraft activity including flight training, recreational flying, corporate and air charter activity and associated aircraft maintenance, manufacturing and support operations.
2015 highlights at YBW include:
- Aircraft movements increased by 3.2 per cent over 2014 to 151,502.
- Bow West Development completed construction of a new 12-bay hangar.
- Hosted the Wings Over Springbank Airshow in July, attracting more than 15,000 attendees.
ABOUT THE CALGARY AIRPORT AUTHORITY
The Calgary Airport Authority is a not-for-profit organization incorporated under the Regional Airports Authorities Act of Alberta. The Calgary Airport Authority is responsible for the management, operation and development of Calgary International (YYC) and Springbank (YBW) Airports. YYC is an important economic engine for the city, region and province, supporting 48,000 jobs and generating more than $8 billion per annum in economic activity.
For more information please contact: The Calgary Airport Authority Media Line Email: media@yyc.com Phone: 403-735-5899
