While the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to produce large passenger traffic declines, the Prince George Airport Authority (PGAA) is hoping for a change in the summer.
The authority says, during the first quarter of 2021, there was a 78 per cent drop in passenger traffic as officials are insisting people do not travel amid a third wave of the pandemic sweeping across Canada.
There were a total of 7,381 passengers in January, 6,834 in February and 7,939 last month.
Despite the major challenges, airport officials are optimistic things will turn around in the coming months.
Central Mountain Air has started an expanded route, Flair Airlines is expected to return to the northern capital this summer and WestJet also recently announced a new route between Prince George and Abbotsford expected to begin in June.
"We are thrilled to see air service returning and expanding at our airport," PGAA President and CEO Gordon Duke said in a statement.
"We remain cautiously optimistic as passenger levels and service options increase here at YXS."
In March, the provincial government announced $16.5 million in funding to support 55 regional airports and B.C. regional bus services between April 1, 2021, and March 30, 2022.
Prince George’s airport received $720,000, which is the highest category of funding available, calculated on a combination of revenue losses and the budgeted expenditures.
Bus operators and airports will use the funds to pay for operating costs, like maintenance expenses, air terminals and runways, payroll, rent and other overhead costs.
"Our government is working to keep vital services operating during this unprecedented time, and this funding will help British Columbians - especially those in rural areas of the province - have a safe and reliable way to travel to essential appointments," said Rob Fleming, B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, in a release on March 30.
"We know inter-city bus companies and regional airports were in critical need of funding to keep their operations going during COVID-19. With this investment, inter-city buses and regional airports will now have the funding they need to continue operating and serving people."
Duke says the airport authority is appreciative of the government's move.
"We're pleased that the provincial government has heard the voices of airports and the aviation sector and is stepping forward to help. We appreciate the support of the minister, the premier and our local political leaders on this initiative."
In April 2020, according to its own data, the PGAA said they believe it will be roughly three to five years before the airport gets back to 2019 passenger numbers.
- with files from Hanna Petersen, PrinceGeorgeMatters
