Fort McMurray Airport sees 50 per cent of pre-pandemic traffic return
CBC
The number of passengers flying out of Fort McMurray is rebounding toward pre-pandemic levels after airport traffic crashed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The airport lost as much as 90 per cent of its traffic during the pandemic. But now traffic is at about 50 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, said RJ Steenstra, president and CEO of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority.
"Not a great situation, but certainly better than other airports fared across the country," said Steenstra.
Flights are coming back as well, he said, citing there are now flights to Toronto twice a week.
He attributes the increase in traffic to lifted restrictions, a desire to see family and friends and an increased public confidence that it's safe to fly.
As well, the increase in travel is indicative of the overall local economy, said Kevin Weidlich, president and CEO of Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development & Tourism.
The greatest driver of air passenger traffic, he explains, is people flying to Fort McMurray for the oilsands. As oilsands operations increase, "more people to move back and forth in the region."