'Progressing the right way': Regina Airport back to pre-pandemic traveller numbers, annual report says
Passenger volumes have returned to near pre-pandemic levels at Regina’s International Airport (YQR).
“We’re progressing the right way,” Airport Authority CEO James Bogusz told reporters Thursday. “I just want to see it continue.”
According to its annual report, YQR saw 981,845 passengers go through its terminal in 2023, which was 217,717 more than the previous year.
However, it’s still only 83 per cent of pre-pandemic passenger volumes.
“[The airport] doesn’t drive passengers,” Bogusz said. “But it’s more of a return of ‘business as usual’ again.”
Bogusz believes the bounce back can be attributed to Air Canada and WestJest adding routes to and from Regina.
With the recent addition of a direct flight to Minneapolis, MN, the airport projects more than one million flyers in 2024.
“We’re aggressively pursuing air service,” Bogusz said. “It’s investments like this that are going to help those passenger numbers rebound even further.”
YQR says it has had talks with Porter Airlines and Flair as well as some US Airlines to bring more domestic and international routes to the Queen City.
“Every time you add a flight to a market, it creates a positive impact,” Bogusz said.
However, he says the airport cannot do it alone.
The airport says partnerships with local organizations is crucial to giving people a reason to travel.
“We work with the airport a lot,” Tourism Regina deputy manager Jennifer Johnson told CTV News. “It’s important to bring people into the city.”
“Every flight that comes or leaves Regina has an economic impact,” Regina & District Chamber of Commerce CEO Tony Playter said.
Bogusz said the airport’s financials are also in a better position.
The annual report states revenues increased over $6 million from 2022 to 2023, but expenses also increased.
The airport says it's due to investment into additional customer amenities like electronic kiosks and a new terminal bar.
It also spent more than $26 million for upgrades to its runway.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
Family of toddler found dead at small-town Ont. daycare no closer to answers after year of investigation
A year has passed since two-year-old Vienna Irwin was found on the property of a home-based daycare in small-town Ontario, but her family says they are no closer to answers of what happened that day.
Grayson Murray, two-time PGA Tour winner, dead at 30
Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial.
Humboldt Broncos crash victims and families react to decision to deport truck driver
The family of one of the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018 says they are 'thankful' for a decision by a Calgary immigration board to deport the driver of the truck involved.
Fatal plane crash reported near Squamish, B.C.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has confirmed it is working with local Mounties and the BC Coroners Service after a plane crash near Squamish, B.C. Friday night.
'God forgives but we don’t': Loud outburst from stabbing victim’s family during sentencing hearing
An emotional outburst in a London, Ont. courtroom Friday disrupted the sentencing hearing of a woman who pleaded guilty for her part in the death of 29-year-old Mohammed Abdallah.
Three dead after vehicle plunged down a 100-foot embankment in Shediac, N.B.
Three people have died after a vehicle veered off the road in Shediac N.B., Friday morning.
Appeal denied for Edmonton soldier accused of trying to kill her 3 children
An Edmonton woman found guilty of trying to kill her three children has been denied an appeal.