Canadian Air Transportation Industry Left a $34.9 Billion Economic Footprint in 2012
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Tom Ruth, CAC Chair, delivers his introductory remarks at the Airports Canada 2013 Conference & Exhibition.
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At its Airports Canada 2013 Conference & Exhibition, the Canadian Airports Council unveiled its first economic impact study in more than a decade. Canada's air transportation industry had a $34.9 billion economic footprint in 2012, supported 405,000 jobs and personal income of more than $17 billion and federal taxation of more than $7 billion. "A growing, vibrant air transportation industry is vital to boost Canadian prosperity, providing essential trade and travel links and sustaining hundreds of thousands of jobs across Canada. This economic impact study of the air transport industry reinforces the importance of our industry to Canada's economy," said CAC Chair Tom Ruth. "While Canada's share of worldwide passenger traffic is fairly small, with such a geographically large country Canadians must rely on air transport more than residents of most other countries." Canada's air transportation system was used by more than 120 million passengers in 2012, an increase of 3.6 per cent over 2011. This aviation activity benefited the federal and provincial treasuries with more than $7 billion collected in taxes in 2012. Air transportation is also becoming increasingly important in trade and tourism with non-U.S. markets. Growth in "overseas" (non-U.S. international) traffic has been particularly strong in the last decade, averaging 4.9 per cent growth per year. While the U.S. passenger volumes traditionally were greater, today U.S. and overseas passenger numbers are about the same; trends favour overseas growth and Canada's air transportation industry is responding to this new reality. "The number of overseas cities served by Canadian airports has increased by more than 30% in the last eight years, while service to the U.S. also has continued to improve," said CAC President Daniel-Robert Gooch. "All this means that Canadian communities of all sizes and regions are better connected through Canada's aviation network to opportunities for trade and tourism around the world." The economic impact study was compiled by the Conference Board of Canada and SNC-Lavalin. It is the first of a two-part air transportation policy exercise. The second part, which will examine Canada's air transport sector growth potential and policy approach alternatives, will be released in mid-September.
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| Recap: Airports Canada 2013 | |
The Canadian Airport Council hosted its biennial Airports Canada 2013 Conference & Exhibition from April 10th - 12th at the Hilton Montreal Bonaventure hotel.
The conference brought together more than 200 of the aviation sector's most influential experts and airport executives to discuss the critical issues and opportunities facing Canada's airport community in the global context.
"The Airports Canada conference attracts more delegates from across the aviation industry each year that it is run," said CAC Chair Tom Ruth. "It provides us all an opportunity to come together and share ideas about what matters most to the people and industry that we serve. Above all else, it allows for us to continue our work together as partners as we continue to lead Canada on its path to become one of the global leaders in aviation."
To access the event agenda and speaker presentations, please click here.
Airports Council International - North America President Greg Principato delivers his keynote address about the future of U.S. aviation.
Calin Rovinescu, president and CEO of Air Canada, presented the airline's vision for the future: leveraging its global network to build an international powerhouse, and transforming the business to maximize profits and reduce cost.
WestJet President and CEO, Gregg Saretsky, provided an overview of the airline's new regional carrier, Encore, and its plan to expand its network of airline partnerships to grow WestJet's brand internationally, and continuing to build on its culture of service excellence.
Moderated by the President and CEO of InterVISTAS Group, Deborah Meehan (far left), three Canadian airports shared their unique perspectives of growth (from left to right): Scott Clements from the Fort McMurray Airport Authority discussed the impacts of energy-filled growth in Alberta's "boom town" in Alberta's oil sands, Geoff Wilson from the Toronto Port Authority shared his experiences with the growth of a major airport amid modern environmental challenges in Toronto's downtown core, and Jim Cherry from A�roports de Montr�al gave a brief history about the rapid rise of Montreal's major intra-urban airport.
Vijay Gill, principal research associate, transportation and infrastructure, with the Conference Board of Canada, unveils highlights from the Canadian Airports Council's economic impact study.
Scheduled passenger traffic received most of the attention at commercial airports in Canada and elsewhere in the world. Christopher Preston, vice president of operations for DHL Express Canada (left), Jean Langevin, general manager for Aviation CMP (middle), and Sam Cherry, the director of product strategy for Bombardier Aerospace (right), shared their insights with the aviation and business community.
Since 1986, Hope Air has been arranging free flights to get financially-disadvantaged Canadians to the healthcare they need. The organization's executive director, Doug Keller-Hobson, presented the he Greater Toronto Airports Authority with the Philanthropist of the Year award, which was accepted at the Gala Dinner by GTAA chair, Mr. Vijay Kanwar.
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New Building at Halifax Stanfield Receives LEED Certification Combined Services Complex Awarded Silver Status
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Canada Green Building Council Atlantic board members, Kendall Taylor (left) and Tim McLeod (right) present the LEED certification plaque to Michael Healy, HIAA Vice President Infrastructure & Commercial Development (centre). Source and photo credit: HFIAA
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Halifax Stanfield International Airport received its first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified building. The Combined Services Complex (CSC) received LEED Silver certification on April 18th.
The CSC is an energy efficient facility that is home to the airport's Emergency Response Services and Maintenance teams. The 6,000 square metre complex opened in the spring of 2010 and replaced the on-site fire hall, built in 1981, and the airport's original maintenance garage, which had been in operation since 1960.
A few examples of the building's green features include:
-The CSC consumes 30% less energy than a non-LEED certified building of the same size;
-Renewable (Green) power is used for more than 50% of the regular power usage; and
-The use of water efficient fixtures has resulted in a 46% reduction in potable water use.
The LEED green building rating system is the internationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. The Combined Services Complex received LEED Innovation in Design credits for exceptional performance in water use reduction, use of recycled materials and use of regional materials.
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Two Canadian Airports Recognized at the 47th Annual International Aviation Snow Symposium
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At the 47th Annual International Aviation Snow Symposium on April 24th, 2013 in Buffalo, New York, awards were presented to the "Snow Crews" of the airports in the Snow Belt for their dedicated efforts in maintaining their airports in safe and operational status during the 2012-2013 winter season.
The Ottawa-MacDonald Cartier International airport won the award for Medium Commercial Airport, while Montreal's Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau International Airport received honourable mention for Largest Commercial Airport.
This is the 37th consecutive year that such awards have been presented. All categories of airports -Commercial, General Aviation and Military -compete for these awards.
Applications are submitted by the airport operators on behalf of the local work force in recognition of their efforts in keeping the airports operationally safe at all times.
Recommendations for selection may come from the users of airports, airlines, pilots, general aviation, the military and the entire aviation community. In addition, the members of the Awards Selection Committee provide feedback from their own organizations as to the performance of competing airports.
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Harper Government Announces New Software to Enhance Passenger Privacy at Airports
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From left to right: CATSA president and CEO, Angus Watt, the Hon. Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport), and Erin O'Gorman, director general, aviation security, Transport Canada, unveil the new Automatic Target Recognition software at a press conference held at the CATSA Kevin McGarr Test Facility in Ottawa. Source and photo credit: Transport Canada
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On April 16th, the Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport), announced that the Harper Government is deploying software on Canada's full body scanners (FBS) that will enhance passenger privacy at airports, while continuing to ensure the safety and security of Canadian air travellers. The Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) software for full body scanners is being updated at major Canadian airports. This new software produces computer generated "stick figures" rather than an outline of the passenger's body, enhancing privacy for air travellers. The new full body scanner software is just as secure as the software it replaces. "Our government is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all passengers travelling through Canadian airports," said Minister Fletcher. "This new software will ensure the continued safety and security of Canadians passengers, while respecting their privacy. This is great news for Canadian air travellers." To continue to ensure that every passenger's privacy is fully respected, the scanner does not collect personal information from the passenger it screens nor is the image correlated in any way with the name of the passenger or any other identifying information. The ATR technology is in line with international standards for security screening. Other countries including the United States and the Netherlands are also using this technology. Full body scanners at Canadian airports do not pose a risk to human health and safety. Health Canada has assessed the technical information on these devices and concluded that the radio frequency energy emitted by the device is well within Canada's guidelines for safe human exposure.
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| Curved Pedway Will Connect Edmonton International Airport Terminal to New Hotel |
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A 24-metre section of a heated pedway that will connect Edmonton International Airport to the new Renaissance Hotel, is positioned with a crane April 12, 2013. Source and photo credit: Bruce Edwards, Edmonton Journal
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Air travellers landing at Edmonton International Airport will soon be able to check into a hotel without having to set foot outside. Two 24-metre prefabricated sections of a heated raised pedway that will connect the north end of the departures area of the terminal to the Renaissance Hotel, under construction to the north, were installed in April as construction crews work to complete the only curved pedway in the region. "It's all about the convenience," said John Hollmann, director of sales for Edmonton-based Platinum Investments, the hotel's hotel builder and operator. "It's all about getting to Edmonton and not having to take a shuttle or leaving the airport."
The Renaissance hotel, a Marriott brand, will have 213 rooms, including suites and a presidential suite. It is scheduled for completion in the summer.
Construction began in the summer of 2011.
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| Regina Airport Authority Considers Expansion |
The Regina Airport Authority's board of directors is facing the biggest capital expenditure in its 14-year history - an expansion of its terminal and "airside" apron or concrete parking area for aircraft. Chair Bob Linner said a terminal expansion that was completed in 2005 was expected to meet demand until 2020. Instead, years of rapid growth has put the airport at capacity already. The northward expansion of the air terminal building could cost at least $100 million, and the apron and its infrastructure another $50 million. No decision has yet been made by the board of directors.
The authority's airport improvement fee - now $20 per passenger - will cover some of the cost, but the airport authority will likely seek funding elsewhere.
The cost could go even higher if the authority builds a parking garage to meet demand, which already fills up the terminal's parking areas, particularly in January, February and March. Mr. linner said that the way of the future for medium-sized airports like Regina's is "more service with smaller planes, and more connectivity." Mr. Linner also noted that Air Canada Express is replacing aging regional jets with new, fuel-efficient Bombardier Q400 turboprops. Using the same type beginning this summer will be WestJet Encore, which will fly from Regina to Calgary and possibly Winnipeg.
Nearly 1.2 million passengers travelled through the Regina Airport in 2012.
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| Halifax Stanfield Announces New Signature Partner |
Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA) announced on April 15th its newest Signature Partner, the Parker Street Food & Furniture Bank.
As part of the Halifax Stanfield Signature Partnership, HIAA will provide financial support of $100,000 to Parker Street over the next three years. HIAA also will support Parker Street through the donation of used computers for Parker Street's skills training programs as well as donating surplus furniture items.
HIAA employees will have opportunities to participate in specialized food drives and funding events like Parker Street's annual school supply drive.
This is Halifax Stanfield's second Signature Partner. Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia was the first and the same contribution was made between 2010 and 2012.
Tom Ruth, HIAA president and CEO said, "Parker Street is a tremendous resource to our community. They are committed to recognizing the dignity and worth of every person along with building a caring community - values that are equally important to HIAA. This partnership is about much more than the financial contribution, it's also about personal development and volunteer opportunities that bond us as a community."
The Signature Partnership is just one element of HIAA's Community Outreach Program. Last year, the Program supported upwards of 300 local organizations with more than $275,000 in financial and in-kind support.
Parker Street is a non-for-profit organization that provides food, furniture, professional skill development, mentoring and support services to residents of Halifax Regional Municipality. Parker Street assists clients in a pleasant, supportive environment where all people are treated equally without any prejudice towards race, ethnicity, language or religion.
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