The Ottawa International Airport Authority announced its results for the year ended December 31^st, 2016, at its Annual Public Meeting today. 

• Passenger volumes totalled 4,743,091 for the year, which represents a 1.9% increase over 2015. Domestic travel led the growth with an increase of 5.5% over 2015 figures. The total breaks down as follows:
  • Domestic: 3,679,232 passengers;
  • Transborder: 673,434 passengers; and
  • International: 390,425 passengers.

• Revenues were 3.1% higher at $121.9 million compared to $118.2 million in 2015. The increase can mostly be attributed to strong results in the concessions segment within the non-aeronautical revenue stream. The increase in passenger volumes also contributed to the positive impact on aeronautical and non-aeronautical revenues. Increasing non-aeronautical revenues helps keep our aeronautical costs as low as possible for the benefit of our airline partners and passengers.
• Earnings before depreciation totalled $22.8 million which was lower than 2015, and than anticipated, due to the incremental impact of the interest on the Series E Bond issued in June 2015, required to fund various capital projects, and to the repayment of a $200 million bond that came due at the beginning of May.

We are also extremely proud of the results achieved in 2016, including but not limited to the following highlights:

• Completion of the multi-year $60 million Baggage Handling System Upgrade Project;
• The Ottawa International Airport retained its place on the world stage for customer service with two awards in its size category in the Airport Service Quality program: 2nd place Best Airport by Region (North America) and 3rd place Best Airport by size (worldwide, 2-5 million passengers).

• Successful comprehensive security and emergency response exercise based on multiple simulated terrorist attacks in the terminal, with multi-agency participation;
• Achievement of Carbon Accreditation Level 1;
• Hosted a Train the Trainer canine behaviour shaping course for law enforcement agencies from across Canada;
• Negotiated private transportation company agreement for airport pick-up and drop-off services;
• Became official gateway in-kind sponsor for Ottawa 2017; and
• Partnered with Transport Canada and Ottawa Police Service to launch the No Drone Zone awareness campaign.

Looking to 2017, several important milestones have already been achieved:

• Collaboration with the City of Ottawa in confirming the LRT airport link as part of LRT Stage 2 and confirmation of provincial funding;
• Deployment of Primary Inspection Kiosks in partnership with Canada Border Services Agency. Ottawa was chosen as the inaugural airport to launch this important border processing technology.

The full version of the Ottawa International Airport Authority’s Annual Report is available at http://ar.yow.ca.

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“I’m very pleased to share the highlights of a very successful and productive year,” said Mark Laroche, President and CEO of the Ottawa International Airport Authority. “Positive revenues, prudent spending and continued leadership have positioned us well for future growth. We will build on the successes of 2016 as we welcome the rest of the country into Canada’s Capital Region to mark Canada’s 150^th Birthday and we will continue to advocate for the current not-for-profit airport model that continues to deliver strong results year after year for the National Capital Region.”

About the Ottawa International Airport Authority

OMCIAA manages, operates and develops airport facilities and lands in support of the economic growth of the National Capital Region, generating more than $2.2 billion annually in total economic activity in Ottawa and Gatineau.

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For more information:

Krista Kealey
Vice-President, Communications and Public Affairs
613-248-2050
[email protected]