Expanding airport aims to hit a million passengers a year
Addition of discount carriers set to lift Abbotsford’s passenger traffic to new highs
Aggressive expansion plans have Abbotsford International Airport (YXX) on target to hit one million passengers a year by 2020, up from 477,000 in 2015, by courting lowcost airlines.
To accommodate the increase, a $5-million, 14,000-square-foot terminal expansion will double the capacity of the secure waiting area to 600 passengers and add two new gates by this November, according to general manager Parm Sidhu.
That will be followed almost immediately by a second expansion to be completed by 2021 that will create new retail and concession opportunities as passenger volume climbs.
After years of handling just under half a million passengers annually, YXX traffic jumped to 530,000 in 2016 and then 677,000 in 2017, driven by the arrival of Flair Airlines’s service to Edmonton, Hamilton and Winnipeg, and Air Canada Rouge’s seasonal service to Toronto.
But the addition of low-cost carriers Swoop and Canada Jetlines is poised to push Abbotsford’s passenger count to new highs.
“This year, we should see 720,000 to 800,000 passengers, and with the anticipated capacity that Swoop gives us, we should be near one million by 2020,” said Sidhu.
The airport is a “distinct asset” for the Fraser Valley, according to Allan Asaph, executive director of the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce. “It’s been a magnet for aviation-related industry that services the airlines.”
“And Abbotsford attracts flyers who don’t want to deal with the traffic congestion involved in flying out of Vancouver,” he said.
Abbotsford International Airport is pursuing a low-fee regime that is very attractive to discount carriers.
“It is exceedingly well-managed and offers a low-cost option for airlines looking for a location to base their operations,” said Asaph.
Passengers departing Abbotsford pay about $10 to $15 in taxes, fees and charges, while other Canadian airports typically collect between $35 and $48 per passenger, or more.
Fees usually include a security charge between $7 and $14 on domestic flights, plus an airport improvement fee between $4 and $25 per passenger.
Vancouver International Airport levies a $20 airport improvement fee on passengers flying outside of B.C. and the Yukon. Abbotsford’s fee was recently reduced to zero.
“We eliminated our airport improvement fee last year and we are the only major airport (in Canada) to do so,” said Sidhu. “Those are savings that are passed on to our passengers on every flight from Abbotsford.”
Abbotsford Airport will pay for its expansion projects from their capital reserve, which stands at nearly $18 million.
Beginning in June, WestJet’s ultralow cost carrier Swoop will offer three flights a day from Abbotsford to Edmonton, and flights six days a week between Abbotsford and Hamilton.
Last year, Canada Jetlines — which specializes in flights to holiday destinations in the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean — announced Abbotsford as a base of operations for its low-cost service starting this summer. Their long-term growth plan includes direct flights between Abbotsford and Las Vegas, Phoenix and Puerto Vallarta.
“We hope to have regular international service by sometime in 2019 in the winter months,” said Sidhu. “Year round is the ultimate goal and we will get there.”
WestJet currently offers flights from Abbotsford to Puerto Vallarta three times a week.
YXX also hopes to exploit its central location in the Fraser Valley just minutes from the Trans-Canada Highway as a quicker and cheaper option for travellers.
Parking is offered at $54 a week in Abbotsford, while Vancouver International Airport passengers pay $96 a week for long-term parking or $236 a week for valet service. Vancouver offers discounts for pre-booking online.
“Abbotsford International Airport has a vision to be recognized as a competitive regional gateway promoting high-quality economic growth and development,” said Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun in a statement.