Charlottetown Airport experienced a drop in passenger traffic in August, with a 16% decrease compared to the previous years’ record-breaking performance. Overall air travel is down by about eight percent this year. Charlottetown Airport Authority’s CEO, Doug Newson, attributed this decline to various factors, including airlines reducing seasonal flights and an Air Canada flight attendants strike in August.
Newson emphasized that the reduction in available seats for sale due to schedule changes by airlines like Flair and WestJet contributed to the decline in passenger numbers. The Air Canada strike, which lasted for three days in August and disrupted thousands of travel plans, further impacted traffic at Charlottetown Airport, resulting in the cancellation of 40 scheduled flights and around 6,500 seats.
Despite these challenges, Newson mentioned that airlines at Charlottetown Airport are reporting an increase in the average number of passengers per flight compared to the previous year. He also expressed optimism about potential additional capacity and a recovery in passenger numbers for the upcoming summer.
The loss of seasonal flights by Flair and WestJet, along with the failure of some routes to resume, were identified as significant factors contributing to the traffic decline at the airport. While Porter Airlines added some flights, it was not sufficient to offset the reduction in services by other carriers.
In 2024, Charlottetown Airport recorded a two percent increase in passenger travel, setting a new record. The airport is currently undergoing a terminal expansion project expected to be completed by 2027 to accommodate the growing number of passengers efficiently.