Passenger traffic at the city’s international airport is flying high as the Thunder Bay Airport Authority announced a record number of passenger-volume for July.
Airport Authority CEO Scott McFadden said he attributes the 63,418 passengers, an 8.8 per cent increase over July 2009, to a stronger local economy and the arrival of Porter Airlines. McFadden said July was the first month the authority was able to compare year-to-year numbers since Porter arrived in Thunder Bay last year.
"In our view the Thunder Bay economy continues to do well and perhaps perform above other areas of the country in addition to that this was basically our first year over year full month comparison since Porter came into the marketplace. So there has been some price stimulation that has lead to increased traffic," McFadden said.
Although Porter’s numbers contributed most to the increase, McFadden said all airlines seem to show an increase in passengers.
"We’re not seeing one over the other each of them are now offering a slightly different product with different destinations that seems to be working very well," McFadden added.
While he doesn’t know how much of the July traffic was due to mining activity in the region, McFadden said based on a poll done by the authority last Spring there is no doubt that industry has also helped drive up the numbers.
Health care has also played a part in the increase and McFadden said as the economy continues to get back on its feet people are travelling for leisure more.
"It’s both (industry and recreation," said McFadden. "People work and then they can afford to play. Part of recreational activity is travel. The two really are hand and hand."
McFadden said the airport authority has plans to expand as numbers continue to grow but couldn’t give any specific details at this time.
