With passenger numbers continuing to take off, Nanaimo Airport is poised to welcome its one millionth customer since a $26.6 million expansion project began six years ago.
More than 913,000 people travelled through the airport’s terminal between 2006 and 2011 and the push is on to reach the one million mark.
“Over the last two years we have seen a 13-per cent growth in passenger numbers and last August was our busiest month ever with 18,574 people coming through,” said Mike Hooper, airport CEO. “In 2012 we are issuing a challenge to residents to use it and they will come. Carriers look at the marketplace and passenger numbers, so the more we use our local airport, the more interest carriers have.”
The two-phase airport expansion included extending the runway, an instrument landing system, high intensity runway and lead-in lights, expanding the terminal and new passenger screening and baggage handling systems.
Hooper said the upgrades are been a big part in the increase of passengers.
“In 2011, we were 99-per cent reliable during weather issues,” he said. “That, and being in the middle of the biggest population centre on the Island north of Victoria, means people are choosing Nanaimo Airport.”
The one millionth customer is expected this summer and celebrations will be held throughout the year, culminating with the targeted month and day.
“It will be difficult to target exactly who is the one millionth customer, so we’ll be handing out prizes to everyone on the aircraft carrying that one millionth passenger,” said Hooper.
The airport now has the infrastructure to handle jets capable of non-stop flights to Hawaii, Mexico and Toronto and Hooper said the next step is to improve the parking situation.
“Over the holidays, our original parking lot was full, the new lot was full and the overflow parking was full,” he said. “In terms of future development, that will be looked at as required by increases in the passenger load.”
Laurie Gourlay, president of the Mid-Island Sustainability and Stewardship Initiative, said more and bigger planes increase concerns regarding the environmental impact of the land surrounding the airport.
“I’ve heard stats from the Nanaimo Airport Commission on the large catchment area and the number of people taking the planes and it appears to be a lot of boosterism,” he said. “This enthusiastic claim that supporting the airport will make Nanaimo prosperous for evermore is questionable.”
The airport’s campaign is running contrary to climate change in order to increase passenger traffic, said Gourlay.
“Why are we supporting this polluting type of travel? Sure, it’s convenient, but is it responsible?” he asked. “Is it worth the risk for the Cassidy aquifer? Is it worth the impact of noise pollution? Is it worth the increased chances of an accident?”