While Prince George's airport is starting to see a slow increase in passenger numbers as interprovincial travel has been improved, its airport authority (PGAA) is making some changes to decrease the spread of COVID-19.
Passengers are now required to wear masks at all times in the YXS terminal.
In addition, the PGAA will only be permitting terminal access to employees and passengers with a valid ticket, unless a traveller requires assistance.
Traffic at YXS for the month of June is down 91 per cent compared to the same period last year.
Passenger numbers for the months of April and May were down 96 per cent.
Year to date passenger numbers are down 56 per cent compared to last year.
“I believe this is the very beginning of our recovery,” says PGAA President and CEO Gordon Duke in a news release.
“This month we welcomed back Central Mountain Air, so we are seeing more flights come and go. We expect to see additional flights in the coming months from our airline partners.”
Come August, WestJet will be operating three flights a day Monday-Friday, two on Saturdays and one on Sunday to Vancouver (YVR).
Air Canada will be flying to YVR two times a day, seven days a week, while Central Mountain Air operates three days a week to Kamloops, Kelowna, Terrace/Kitimat and Fort St. John.
The PGAA has also eliminated short-term parking fees as “Meeters and Greeters” must remain outside.
Measures such as physical distancing floor decals, additional hand sanitizing stations, increased cleaning of high touch points and plexiglass dividers are already installed at YXS to curb the spread.
The airport restaurant and Internationals Area remain closed.
