'Full recovery': Calgary International Airport soars to new passenger record

Now fourth busiest in Canada by passenger activity, the airport is one of two in the country that have recovered beyond 2019 numbers

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The Calgary International Airport soared to a record 18.5 million passengers in 2023, surpassing the previous 18-million milestone set in 2019.

Calgary Airport Authority president and CEO Chris Dinsdale called 2023 “a year of significant growth and renewal,” with big increases in guest numbers, flight partnerships and non-stop routes.

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Now fourth busiest in Canada by passenger activity, the airport is one of two in the country that have recovered beyond 2019 numbers.

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“We have managed to bounce back from the pandemic, and we are proud to be even stronger and better positioned than we were in 2019,” Dinsdale said at Wednesday’s annual general meeting.

The airport also saw its busiest summer travel season, welcoming 1.95 million passengers in July and 1.97 million in August.

“We also saw a new daily passenger record of 27,600 passengers. Last year’s numbers tell a story of full recovery, one of a 180-degree turn toward progress and growth.”

Dinsdale credited WestJet for playing a “huge role” in the airport’s recovery. “Having them here, as a home base, that’s probably what made all the difference to get to that recovery versus other airports.”

He said the industry has recovered quite well, especially larger hubs, while smaller hubs are having more challenges.

“There’s pent-up demand for travel — now business travel hasn’t returned as it was.”

Chris Dinsdale
Chris Dinsdale, President & CEO of the Calgary Airport Authority, is shown at Calgary International Airport on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Brent Calver/Postmedia

Calgary airport working towards being profitable

The authority’s revenue for 2023 was $497 million, 19.6 per cent higher than in 2022. Dinsdale said the two most notable revenue sources were vehicle parking at $49 million and concession revenue at $91 million.

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Despite improved numbers, the airport recorded a loss of $30 million in 2023.

Calgary Airport Authority is a not-for-profit organization, Dinsdale said. “In my mind, we’re for profit — for debt repayment.”

He noted that the airport is cash generative now, and it is working on profitability.

“If we look forward now, I could give us a few years and we’ll be profitable.”

About 23 million passengers are forecasted to pass through the airport annually by 2028, and projects such as the $201-million west runway rehabilitation project will help support that growth.

The west runway project is expected to be complete by late 2025, and involves a complete overhaul and replacement of the existing runway — which began construction in 1939.

Calgary airport runway project

Work is also being done to expand food, beverage and retail service at the airport, with 12 new spaces coming in 2024.

The airport also welcomed new carriers including Porter Airlines, with service kicking off in May. Calgary’s airport now offers non-stop connectivity to more than 90 destinations around the world.

A feasibility study the airport launched in 2023 to look into things such as energy efficiency, on-site generation and retrofit options that could reduce its carbon footprint is also quite far along, according to Dinsdale.

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“That’s due to wrap up this year, and then we’ll start making decisions as to what we want to do,” he said.

The authority won’t wait for results of the study to move forward on smaller energy efficiency measures, such as more efficient lighting.

“The big projects, like our heating plant, which is from the 70s, that takes a bit more time.”

Calgary International Airport
Travellers move through the Calgary International Airport on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Brent Calver/Postmedia

Airport on board for passenger rail, Blue Line connection

The UCP government’s $9-million feasibility study for passenger rail in Alberta includes the potential for a line to Calgary’s airport.

Expected to be complete in 2025, the feasibility study is looking at possible rail connections from Edmonton to Calgary, which would have stops at both cities’ airports and downtowns. The study is also looking at connecting Calgary to Banff, and Edmonton to Jasper.

The province also devoted $3 million to study a potential Blue Line link to Calgary International Airport. That assessment is expected to be complete this summer, with a connection potentially completed within three years.

Dinsdale said train connections to the airport make sense in the long run, despite potential effects to parking revenues.

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“Would I be fearful that it would impact our parking revenues in some way? It might. But if it’s more sustainable, and if the community benefits and wants it, it gets our full support.”

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He noted many staff at the airport could benefit from a direct Blue Line connection.

“If it prevents us from having to build a $30-million parking garage in five years, maybe that’s not a bad thing, either.”

With files from Bill Kaufmann and Matt Scace

[email protected]

Calgary International Airport
Travellers move through the Calgary International Airport on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Brent Calver/Postmedia

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