Record Growth Spurs Strong Third Quarter for WAA

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - October 31, 2018 - The third quarter of 2018 continued to be strong for Winnipeg Airports Authority (WAA).

A strong September, coupled with a record-setting summer, saw passenger totals increase by 5.1 percent compared to the third quarter of the previous year. During July, August, and September of 2018, 1,272,672 passengers travelled through Winnipeg Richardson International Airport.

Consolidated revenue was $36.5 million for the third quarter, compared to $33.9 million for the same period in 2017.

"This continued growth is because travellers are responding positively to the capacity being added in our community. Each new seat has stimulated even greater demand," said Barry Rempel, President and CEO of Winnipeg Airports Authority. "The efforts of our team, working with our partners, position our city, province, and region for continued success."

September was busy at the airport, seeing an 8.6 percent increase over last year. As reported earlier, July and August both saw record passengers numbers, up 3.9 percent and 3.4 percent respectively over the previous year. This year's increase is significant as Winnipeg saw an increase in visitors last year having hosted the Canada Summer Games.

Recent highlights for WAA include the announcement of a partnership with Northstar Robotics and Airport Technologies Incorporated to pilot North America's first autonomous snowplow. Construction continues as well on the new Ground Services Equipment (GSE) Building, which is expected to be completed in the fall of 2019.

Looking ahead to the rest of 2018, in December Flair Air will be starting direct service from Winnipeg to three Florida destinations, Orlando, St. Pete-Clearwater (Tampa Bay), and Miami, as well as Las Vegas and Phoenix-Mesa.