The Abbotsford International Airport (YXX) is on track to break records in 2023.
The City of Abbotsford announced that YXX is set to reach 1.2 million passengers this year, which would be just the second time the airport has crossed the 1 million passenger threshold and smash the previous record of 1.008 million set in 2019.
The 2019 mark was officially broken last month and officials noted a busy summer saw up to 7,400 passengers per day during peak travel days this summer. Despite some pandemic challenges, 2022 was also a solid year for YXX, with 992,712 passengers.
Mayor of Abbotsford and Abbotsford Airport Authority chair Ross Siemens said he’s thrilled to see the strong numbers.
“Since opening in 1997, our airport has been a key asset for Abbotsford as the cultural and economic Hub of the Fraser Valley,”stated Mayor of Abbotsford and Abbotsford Airport Authority chair, Ross Siemens. “Its strategic location in one of the largest aerospace regions (including Washington State) in the world, and its world-class infrastructure make it an ideal hub for aviation activities and air travel. This achievement is a testament to the dedication and resilience of our entire team, the unwavering support of our aerospace community, and the trust our passengers have placed in us.”
One advantage that has kept YXX competitive is the fact that there is no airport improvement fee charged.
YXX is home to WestJet, Swoop and Flair Airlines. YXX offered direct routes this summer to Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto Pearson, Hamilton, Kitchener, London, Ont., and international service to Puerto Vallarta, and Los Cabos.
“Flair Airlines congratulates the Abbotsford International Airport for their trajectory towards a record-breaking year,” stated Stephen Jones, CEO of Flair Airlines. “As a city that has become a vital part of Flair’s story, we recognize the importance of Abbotsford and its residence to our airline.”
“Congratulations to the Abbotsford International Airport for breaking their one million passenger milestone,” stated John Weatherill, WestJet Group Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer. “Their unwavering dedication to bringing aviation to the Fraser Valley region has made our partnership stronger than ever and we look forward to growing Abbotsford’s connectivity in 2024.”
For more on YXX, visit abbotsfordairport.ca.