Passenger traffic up 49 per cent in airport authority's first decade

The Charlottetown Airport Authority celebrated a milestone year Tuesday night with the release of its 2009 annual report during the authority's annual meeting.
It was a milestone year because 2009 marked 10 years since the authority assumed control of the airport.
Passenger traffic has grown by 49 per cent since the authority took over control of the airport from Transport Canada in 1999.
"Our board of directors is extremely pleased with the success the airport has experienced over the past decade," noted Doug Newson, CEO of the Charlottetown Airport Authority.
"The authority has grown the number of air carriers, expanded the number destinations, added U.S. service and sun service and expanded the air terminal building to accommodate international flights."
In 2009, travel through Charlottetown declined by 1.3 per cent.
In light of a worldwide recession, and a tough market year for aviation, where national traffic declined by over five per cent - Charlottetown's performance was again strong and resilient, said Newson.
Successful events like the Canada Summer Games had a positive impact on traffic at the airport.
In addition, 2009 was a good year for national and international meetings and conventions in Prince Edward Island.
"The Canada Summer Games and the meetings and conventions marketplace are examples of how airports do not operate in isolation from the broader business community. Economic growth in the City of Charlottetown and Prince Edward Island overall are closely tied to growth at the airport."
New additions to the route network in 2010 include Air Canada's second daily non-stop service between Charlottetown and Ottawa added in May and Delta Air Lines' daily direct service between Charlottetown and New York's JFK International Airport which begins in mid-June.