Saskatoon, SK: As a community-based organization, the Saskatoon Airport Authority (SAA) is a private notfor-profit corporation reliant on a user-pay revenue model, which is dependent on passenger and aircraft traffic. While we continue to be impacted by the global pandemic, SAA’s 2021 annual passenger traffic totaled 439,927 which is approximately 29.6% of 2019 (pre-pandemic).
While the duration and scope of the pandemic remain highly uncertain, SAA continues to dynamically monitor and respond to rapidly changing circumstances in order to best mitigate lasting impacts. The longterm financial viability of the organization remains a key priority. We ended the year in a position of financial viability and organizational stability despite the pandemic-driven impacts on mid-term operations. Our response will continue to be driven by our sense of duty to provide a safe and healthy airport experience while nimbly adapting to changes that will positively contribute to our community’s economic recovery. In 2021, SAA was awarded $16.4 million in Federal government contributions that will be invested in critical infrastructure and operations, enabling us to remain dedicated to our primary objectives of safety, security, and service quality.
Re-establishing air service to our community was critical in fulfilling our role and responsibilities in 2021. Through the year, we were excited to add several new seasonal routes as well as welcome back many previously served destinations suspended through 2020. Through the summer months, WestJet offered nonstop flights to Kelowna and Victoria while also welcoming back service to Edmonton and Vancouver. Additionally, Air Canada added service to Montreal and brought back nonstop service to Calgary. Flair Airlines offered service to Toronto and Vancouver and announced service to Winnipeg and Edmonton to begin in spring 2022, and we were delighted to receive Federal government approval to resume international flights allowing Sunwing to serve multiple sunspot destinations in Mexico and the Dominican Republic in December. We look forward to welcoming WestJet’s return to sun travel in early 2022, as well as Swoop Airline’s previously announced service to Edmonton starting this spring.
“As we reflect on the past year, we are pleased to acknowledge the commitment of our staff, contractors, partners as the number of travellers gradually increased throughout the year. We are an essential community asset that facilitates cargo movements, e-commerce and life-saving services from Air Ambulance and STARS while inherently functioning as a northern gateway for the province,” says Stephen Maybury, President, and CEO of the Saskatoon Airport Authority. “As our community travels more, our focus will be to enhance traveller confidence and continue our commitment to safety, security, and service quality.”
SAA looks ahead to 2022 with optimism as we re-establish air service connectivity, restore our critical infrastructure such as our primary runway and continue to enhance airport terminal building to meet rapidly changing health and safety requirements.
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For more information contact:
Stephen Maybury
President & CEO
Skyxe Saskatoon Airport
media@skyxe.ca
About Skyxe Saskatoon Airport Skyxe Saskatoon Airport is operated by Saskatoon Airport Authority. Skyxe Saskatoon Airport is a partner in developing Saskatoon and Saskatchewan by delivering the most valued airport experience in Canada.