CANADIAN
NUMBERS
Sharp November Traffic Decline,
Recovery in Overseas Traffic Growth
|
Traffic numbers for November
released by Transport Canada in its "Top 30 Airports"
listing were discouraging. While it looked like
the declines were beginning to recover in October,
domestic and U.S. transborder passenger numbers were
sharply down in November -- particularly domestically --
although all segments still remain in growth territory
nationally year-to-date.
For a second
straight month overseas traffic grew, and at
increasingly greater rates although it remained far
short of the overseas traffic growth experienced earlier
in the year.
|
| International Traffic Down in
November |
The International Air Transport
Association (IATA) announced traffic results for
November showing a 4.6% drop in international passenger
traffic and a 13.5% drop in international cargo.
International capacity dropped by 1.0%.
The
November international passenger load factors stood at
72.7% which is a decline of approximately three
percentage points over the same month last
year.
"The 13.5% drop in international cargo is
shocking. As air cargo handles 35% of the value of goods
traded internationally, it clearly shows the rapid fall
in global trade and the broadening impact of the
economic slowdown. By comparison, this is largest drop
since 2001, in the aftermath of September 11," said
Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's director general and CEO.
"The industry is now shrinking by all measures.
The 1.0% capacity cut in international passenger markets
in November could not keep pace with the 4.6% fall in
passenger demand. We can expect deep losses in the
fourth quarter," said Bisignani.
International Passenger
Traffic
The November passenger decline of
4.6% is a considerable worsening from both the 1.3%
demand contraction in October and the 2.9% fall in
September.
Asia-Pacific carriers face the most
difficult operating environment with a 9.7% decline in
November, following a 6.1% contraction in October. The
region also had the most aggressive capacity cuts at
-5.1%. While Chinese domestic traffic rebounded after
the Olympics, travel to and from international markets
continues to decline, reflecting the weakness in both
global trade and consumer confidence.
North
American carriers saw international traffic decline by
4.8% - the second largest drop among the regions. Until
August, the region's carriers had been shifting capacity
to international markets. With the near collapse of the
investment banking sector and consequent reductions in
business travel, North Atlantic travel slumped. Carriers
started to cut international capacity with a 0.8% drop
in November (following 0.4% growth in October)
European carriers saw international traffic drop
by 3.4% as all the region's major markets (intra-Europe,
North Atlantic, and Asia) slumped.
Smaller
emerging markets fared better. African carriers saw
traffic decline by 1.6%. Middle Eastern carriers saw
traffic increase by 5.6%. Latin American carriers saw a
slight decline in growth to 3.3% (compared to 4.5%
growth in October), buoyed by the region's positive,
albeit slower, economic growth.
International Freight
Traffic
Asia-Pacific carriers
(representing 44.6% of global freight) saw freight
traffic fall by 16.9% in November-the largest decline of
any region. As freight accounts for a larger percentage
of revenues for the Asia-Pacific carriers, fourth
quarter profits for the region's carriers will be
disproportionately (and negatively) impacted by the
downturn in the global air freight market.
Double-digit freight declines were also
experienced by Latin American carriers (-15.7%), North
American carriers (-14.4%) and European carriers
(-11.0%). Freight traffic for Middle Eastern
carriers turned negative (-1.6%), following 1.0% growth
in October. Plummeting business confidence and the
continuing turmoil in financial markets indicates that
the worsening trend most likely continued in
December.
View the full
results
|
Top Aviation Sector Leaders to
Address
Airports Canada 2009 Conference &
Exhibition |
The Canadian Airports Council recently unveiled
its initial speaker line-up for the Airports Canada 2009
Conference and Exhibition. The conference,
Canada's largest airport event, will be held in
Ottawa-Gatineau April 28-30,
2009. "Airports Canada 2007 set a new
standard for the CAC," said CAC President and CEO Jim
Facette. "As the aviation sector in Canada
continues to face global challenges, Airports Canada
2009 will examine important issues facing our sector
from a uniquely Canadian vantage." Themed
"Leadership for Challenging Times," Airports Canada 2009
will tackle the following issues:
- Economic Outlook and Canadian Competitiveness in
the World
- World-Impacting Security Challenges in the 21st
Century
- Passenger and Freight Facilitation
- International Air Policy for the 21st Century
- Aviation and the Environment
Confirmed
speakers and panellists include:
- Andy Blackwell - Head of Aviation Security, Virgin
Atlantic Airways
- Joram Bobasch, EVP, ICTS Europe
- Montie Brewer - President and CEO of Air Canada
- John Byerly - Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Transportation Affairs, U.S. State Department
(invited)
- Michelle di Leo - Director, Flying Matters (UK)
- Jean-Marc Eustache, President & CEO, Transat
A.T
- Angela Gittens - Director General of Airports
Council International
- Allan Gregg - Chairman of Harris/Decima
- Marc Gregoire - Assistant Deputy Minister, Safety
and Security at the Department of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities
- Nick Nanos - President and CEO, Nanos Research
- Catherine Harmel-Tourneur - Director, DKMA
- Tina Kremmidas - Assistant Vice President and
Senior Economist of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce
- Andrew Lynch - CEO of SSP
- Kevin Molloy - Vice President, Simplified
Passenger Travel and Chief Information Officer for the
Vancouver Airport Authority
- Dr. Lloyd McCoomb - President and CEO of the
Greater Toronto Airports Authority
- Andrew Parker - SVP, Public and Environmental
Affairs, Emirates
- Guylaine Roy - Associate Assistant Deputy
Minister, Policy, Transport Canada
- Jeffrey Shane, Partner, Hogan & Hartson LLP;
Chair, IATA Agenda for Freedom
- Stanis Smith - Senior Vice President, Stantec
- Mike Tretheway, Executive Vice President,
InterVISTAS
- Ajay Virmani, President & Chief Executive
Officer, Cargojet
Sponsorship opportunities are
still available for organizations involved in the
airports sector. Now held only every two years,
Airports Canada is attended by over 200 top airport
executives, and senior executives/officials from air
carriers, retail/service partners and government.
For more information, visit the CAC Web
site. |
| Mid-January Ministerial Marathon
|
CAC
Director Paul Benoit (left) President and CEO Jim
Facette, Director of Communications and Policy
Daniel-Robert Gooch and Vice Chair Bill Restall,
recently met with Minister of Public Safety Peter Van
Loan, Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism
Diane Ablonczy, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure
and Communities John Baird and Minister of State for
Transport Rob Merrifield.
Public Safety Minister
Peter Van Loan  Minister of
State for Small Business and Tourism Diane
Ablonczy 
Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities John Baird (center left)
and Minister of State for Transportation (centre
right)
|
CANADIAN
NEWS
Quebec City Airport Reaches 1 Million
Passengers
|
Following a new terminal
opening last year, Aéroport
de Québec reached another
historical milestone with the arrival in Quebec City of
its millionth passenger -- eight years ahead of
schedule.
"This is a historical moment for
Aéroport de Québec,"
said Pascal Bélanger, president and chief operating
officer at the airport. "The attractiveness of our
terminal and most importantly, the dedication of our
team striving every day to offer passengers an airport
experience beyond their expectations, are key elements
of our success.
Last year, Aéroport de Québec
enjoyed unprecedented growth with a 17% increase in
passenger traffic. New carriers such as Westjet, United
Airlines, Porter Airlines and Corsairfly have introduced
service to the airport recently, leading to an increase
in destinations offered from the airport.
"We now
have a welcoming entry point to the Quebec City area for
tourists and investors," said Mr. Belanger. "The
next step will be to offer even better services and
improve passenger experience further with the expansion
of international arrivals and customs
preclearance."
Since November 1st, 2000, Aéroport
de Québec inc. has been responsible for the management,
operation, maintenance, and development of Aéroport
international Jean-Lesage. Thirteen carriers offer
service to North American, Latin American and European
destinations. |
| WestJet Spent Millions on Passenger
Re-Accommodation |
On Boxing Day, WestJet released
information regarding the efforts made by its employees
to get as many guests as possible
home for Christmas
during the storm-ridden holiday travel season. In total,
WestJet spent approximately $2 million over the previous
six days to accommodate passengers stranded across the
country.
The most severe and
widespread winter weather across Canada in nearly 40
years wreaked havoc with travel coast to coast, causing
numerous airport closures and record numbers of flights
delays and cancellations.
"This week was WestJet's finest hour, despite
the delays and cancellations," Ken McKenzie, WestJet's
executive vice president, operations. "We provided
for our guests in their time of need and truly
demonstrated WestJet's caring attitude. This was an
unprecedented situation and we responded in an
unprecedented way."
Airline
tariffs do not require airlines to provide meal vouchers
or hotel accommodations if the flight cancellation is
the result of inclement weather.
"We believe
it's important to do the right thing," said Mr.
McKenzie. "During this situation of severe
weather, uncertainty and the time of year, the right
thing was for us to provide guest relief in the form of
meal vouchers, hotel accommodations and transfers. It is
our belief that we are the only airline in Canada to
provide this level of service to its
guests."
|
London Airport Named to Cargo
Transshipment Program
|
The federal government recently
announced the approval of the London International
Airport to participate in the international air cargo
transshipment program. The program allows international
air cargo to be moved through the airport for shipment
to third countries, enabling the airport to seek new
market opportunities and further develop its air cargo
activity.
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure
and Communities John Baird said. "The London
International Airport now has an additional tool to help
develop its air cargo business, which will benefit South
Western Ontario and help invigorate the Canadian market
in this time of economic uncertainty."
The
international air cargo transshipment program allows air
cargo to be moved through Canada for shipment to third
countries. For example, cargo could be flown from the
United States into London, Ontario, stored temporarily,
and then flown to a European destination. Similarly,
international air cargo could also arrive from overseas
and then be shipped by rail or road from London to the
United States.
"This announcement supports our
goals of growing our air cargo presence internationally
and enabling the South Western Ontario Economic Assembly
to attract area economic development. We thank the
government for supporting South Western Ontario with
this important initiative, " said Steve Baker, president
and CEO of London International Airport.
The
program enables the Canadian Transportation Agency to
authorize any Canadian or foreign air carrier to use
London International Airport to transship international
air cargo, even if these rights are not provided in
Canada's bilateral air transport agreements. In
addition, air carriers will be able to combine such
cargo transshipments with other services for which they
may be licensed.
The international air cargo
transshipment program was introduced in 1982 at Mirabel
Airport as part of a larger effort to improve the use of
Montréal-area airports. It has since been expanded to
other airports, including Hamilton (1987), Windsor
(1993), Gander (2000), Winnipeg (2004), Edmonton (2006),
Calgary (2007), Abbotsford, Vancouver, Moncton, Toronto,
Halifax and Prince George (2008).
|
| Free Wireless Internet Now
Available to Calgary Airport Passengers |
Calgary Airport Authority
recently announced that the Calgary International
Airport has become a free Wi-Fi wireless Internet
zone.
"Offering the best passenger experience is
a top priority for the entire Calgary International
Airport community," said Garth Atkinson, president and
CEO of The Calgary Airport Authority. "With the
introduction of airport-wide, free Wi-Fi, YYC continues
to be a leader in innovative customer service
initiatives."
The Calgary Airport Authority is a
not-for-profit, non-share capital corporation,
responsible for the management, maintenance and
development of YYC (Calgary International Airport) and
YBW (Springbank Airport) under long-term lease from the
Government of
Canada.
| |
INTERNATIONAL
NEWS
Appeals Court Blocks New York Slot
Auctions
|
North American airport groups
had a small victory to celebrate towards the end of the
year when the U.S. Court of Appeals issued an order
prohibiting the U.S. Department of Transportation from
auctioning slots at the three major New York airports
unless and until the court formally considers and rules
on the merits of the case.
The CAC, its partner
Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA)
and airline groups are all opposed to the plans to
auction slots at New York's John F. Kennedy, La Guardia,
and Liberty Airports.
The CAC in
particular contends that the plan would
disproportionately impact access to New York from major
Canadian economic centers since most Canadian flights
into the market are operated by the regional jets that
the slot auction plan targets.
ACI-NA says that the U.S. Federal Aviation
Administration should focus on working collaboratively
with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey,
which operates the airports, to develop and implement a
reasonable and effective program to reduce passenger
delays and congestion.
"Airport proprietors are
in the best position to manage the use of the facilities
they plan, design, fund, build and currently operate.
Slot auctions mandated by the federal government would
not have reduced delays or improved efficiency,
competition or passenger service," said Airports Council
International-North America President Greg
Principato. "We do not believe the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) has the statutory
authority to force the slot auctions, which are
universally opposed by the airport industry."
|
Canada's
Airports:
Working Together, Moving
Forward
The Canadian Airports Council (CAC) is
the voice for Canada's airports. Formed in 1991, as the
devolution of airports to local control was beginning,
the CAC has established itself as the reliable and
credible federal representative for airports on a wide
range of significant issues and concerns.
Canada's airports are engines for economic
development in the communities they serve and one of
their most important elements of local infrastructure:
Our communities' vital links to intra-provincial,
national and international trade and commerce. Our 48
members represent 180 Canadian airports, including all
of the National Airports System (NAS) airports and most
passenger service airports in every province and
territory.
Together, CAC members handle
virtually all of the nation's air cargo and
international passenger traffic and 95% of domestic
passenger traffic. The economic impact of CAC member
airports is staggering. They create well in excess of
$45 billion in economic activity in the communities they
serve. And more than 200,000 jobs are directly
associated with CAC member airports, generating a
payroll of more than $8 billion annually.
| | |
 |
| Upcoming Events |
February 4-6, 2009
ACI-NA
Winter Board Meeting and CEO Forum in Weston,
Fla.
March 10-12, 2009
ACI-NA
Air Cargo Conference in Memphis
March
15-18, 2009
ACI-NA
Operations and Technical Affairs Conference in
San Diego
March 15-18, 2009
ACI-NA
Public Safety and Security Spring Conference
in San Diego
April 2-3, 2009
HR
Committee Meeting
April 22-24, 2009
ACI-NA
Customer Service and Aviation Education Conference
in Detroit
April 28-3, 2009
Airports Canada Conference and
Exhibition in Ottawa-Gatineau
May 14-15, 2009
ACI-NA
Human Resources Conference in San
Francisco
May 31-June 3, 2009
ACI-NA
Marketing Communications Conference and
Jumpstart in Montréal
June 3-4, 2009
Air Cargo Logistics Symposium
in Moncton
July 7-9, 2009
ACI-NA
Deicing Conference in Cincinatti
July 16-17, 2009
ACI-NA
Small Airports Conference in St. Louis
August 24-26, 2009
ACI-NA
Public Safety and Security Conference in
Arlington, Va
Oct. 11-14, 2009
ACI-NA
Annual Conference in Austin
CAC
board and committee meetings are open to all
members
| |
Tourism
Snapshot from the Canadian Tourism Commission
Short-Term
Market Outlook from the Canadian Tourism
Commission
|
| Quick Links |
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Industry
Partners ACI-NA
ATAC
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