3% GROWTH IN PASSENGER TRAFFIC AT GANDER AIRPORT

Strong summer for tourism buoys traffic

(January 12, 2018) The Gander International Airport Authority (GIAA) announced that passenger traffic grew 3% at Gander International Airport in 2017. The passenger total of 177,532 passengers was the fourth highest in airport history.

“In some ways, it was a challenging year due to reduced travel for commuting workers to Labrador and Western Canada, so we are pleased to have posted modest growth in 2017,” said Gander International Airport Authority (GIAA) President and CEO Reg Wright.

While there was growth year-round, Mr. Wright indicated that a 10% tourism-driven spike in summer traffic was a key contributor.

“As a destination, Central Newfoundland is really hitting its stride, in part buoyed by interest generated by the hit musical Come From Away and also the continued profile of the Fogo Island Inn,” he said. “Visitors are fast learning that Central provides an authentic Newfoundland and Labrador experience that checks all the boxes of what motivates people to come to our province.

Mr. Wright explained that any passenger growth results from service offered by the airport’s tenant airlines – Air Canada, PAL Airlines, Sunwing and WestJet.

“They are providing a valuable service to connect Central Newfoundland to the world,” he said. “We continue to work with our airlines to ensure the timely, affordable choices our market covets. We thank everyone who chose to Fly Gander for their loyalty and patronage. We appreciate residents who decide to fly from their local airport and make YQX part of their travel plans.”

About Gander International Airport Authority

The Gander International Airport Authority is the not-for-profit organization created in 1996 to manage operations at Gander International Airport (CYQX). The airport plays a key role in the economic and community development of the Central Newfoundland region. The airport’s economic contribution includes 1,260 full-time jobs, $90 million in wages, $140 million in gross domestic product (GDP) and $240 million in economic impact.

Connect with Gander International Airport Authority

Like GIAA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GanderInternationalAirport

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Visit us online www.ganderairport.com

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For further information, contact:

Reg Wright, President and CEO

Phone: (709) 256-6668