THUNDER BAY -- For the first time in its history, Thunder Bay International Airport saw more than 800,000 passengers pass through its terminal last year.
The new record for passenger volume is 807,041.
It breaks the previous all-time mark of about 780,000 which was set in 2013.
The president of the airport authority, Ed Schmidtke, said Thunder Bay Airport is starting 2017 on a strong note, with unprecedented seat capacity offering travellers more service and price options.
The airport also hopes to benefit from a growing trend of American travellers choosing Thunder Bay as a gateway.
U.S. residents can save up to $500 per person on trips to European destinations, and attractive fares are available as well on winter charters to Cancun, Mexico or Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
"Our research has found several weeks this winter where an all-inclusive price to the same resort was US$500 per person less expensive from Thunder Bay than from Minneapolis," said Schmidtke.
The airport is an important contributor to Thunder Bay's economy. Economic activity related to the airport is responsible for an estimated $645 million in GDP annually, and more than 5,000 jobs.
