Thunder Bay Airport sets all-time passenger record

THUNDER BAY -- Thunder Bay Airport has set an all-time passenger volume record for the month of August.

For the first time in the airport’s history, monthly volume exceeded 80,000 passengers due to the increase in international traffic of those attending Confederation College, Lakehead University and the Under 18 World Baseball Championships.

With 81,003 passengers, the numbers exceed last year's passenger traffic volume by four per cent.

“Although August is always a busy month, these numbers are unprecedented,” noted President & CEO Ed Schmidtke.

“The international traffic generated by the Baseball Championships combined with growing international student populations at our two postsecondary institutions generated a lot of activity.”

Schmidtke wants to remind residents planning on travelling during the Christmas holidays to book early.

“We are already aware of large student volumes planning to fly home over the holiday season,” Smidtke said.

“”With both Confederation College and Lakehead University reporting record numbers, we expect that there will be stronger demand than normal for air travel in December.”

He added to avoid disappointment on price or seat availability, airport officials strongly suggest to book early.