The Ottawa Airport Authority hosted its virtual Annual Public Meeting today. Code Cubitt, Airport Authority Board Chair, and President and CEO of the Airport Authority, Mark Laroche, discussed 2021 highlights and impacts of COVID-19 on the airport, and announced financial results. Coincident with the meeting, the Authority released its 2021 Annual Report.

The meeting followed a small groundbreaking ceremony on the airfield. The ceremony celebrated the first airside infrastructure expansion project in the Authority’s 20-year history.

“This project, called Taxiway Romeo, is a game-changer for YOW,” said Mark Laroche. “It represents the first major airside infrastructure expansion project since well before the Authority was established in 1997. We initiated Romeo to accommodate the growing demands on our G7 Capital airport, with space earmarked for federal government needs and private-sector opportunities.”

2021 highlights include:

• 1.171 million passengers served, which is 14.1% lower than in 2020. Contrast the figures with 2019’s 5.1 million passengers, and you can see we have a long way to go.
• Thirty thousand metric tonnes of cargo moved through YOW, which is a 1.6% increase over 2020. The breakdown of 37% inbound vs 64% outbound confirms the importance of YOW’s role in moving vital goods to Canada’s North.
• The Authority generated revenues of $56.6 million, which were 16.6% higher than 2020.
• A loss before depreciation of $5.4 million was recorded, which compares to a loss of $19.5 million in 2020.
• The net loss of $36.7 million compared to a net loss in 2020 of $51.2 million.
• The Authority issued $100 million in Series F bonds to ensure a strong balance sheet through the pandemic.
• We received three tranches of federal funding during 2021 as follows:
  • $5.7 million from the Airport Relief Fund to cover operational costs;
  • $6.4 million from the Airport Critical Infrastructure Fund for the LRT Airport Terminal Station; and
  • $3.9 million from the Airport Critical Infrastructure Fund for Taxiway Rehabilitation Project.
• In addition to organic domestic growth, YOW’s route network build-out accelerated when the federal government restored international landing rights in August:
  • Carriers Air Canada and WestJet continued to add destinations and frequencies;
  • Canadian North maintained its vital service connecting communities from Iqaluit;
  • Porter returned to service on September 8;
  • New carriers, Flair and PAL commenced operations;
  • October 31 marked the first U.S. flight since 2020 with United’s service to Washington Dulles; and
  • Sunwing, Air Transat, and WestJet resumed seasonal service to sun destinations in Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Mexico in November.
• The YOW+ Concession Program restarted with Paradies Lagardère opening The Locks and Maison de la Presse in the Centre Court of the Canada/International gate area.
• Aggregate extraction began with 55,000 tonnes sold in 2021.
• An updated Airport Emergency Plan and Incident Command System implementation have enhanced our emergency response capability.      

“I am so proud of the Authority team for demonstrating resilience and patience through the second year of the pandemic and for the long list of projects and accomplishments in 2021,” said Code Cubitt. “Their efforts to keep the airport operating efficiently and safely despite the many challenges are testament to their commitment to YOW’s recovery and success.”

Despite the challenges of the past two years, the Authority has never lost sight of its strategic plans and goals. It has established an aggressive five-year timeline to ensure the airport recovers from the pandemic and thrives in the future.

“We are very excited about the future of YOW with a long-term view focused on several strategic objectives, including building back our route network, understanding the shifting passenger profile, sustainability and our workforce,” said Mark Laroche. “The pandemic will have a lasting impact on our industry. Our path forward will return YOW to financial health and our role as an economic generator for the region more quickly.”

Groundbreaking event for Romeo Taxiway

From left to right: Marcel Mathurin, Krista Kealey, Chris Carruthers, Bonnie Boretsky, Kevin McGarr, Colin Morrison, Dick Brown, Marc Joyal, Bruce Lazenby, Michael Tremblay, Joel Tkach, Mark Laroche, Ian Sherman, Code Cubitt, Rob Turpin, Michèle Lafontaine, John Proctor, Lisa Dwyer, Deanna Monaghan, Marc Gervais, Shane Bennett, Chantal Bourdeau, Carole Presseault.

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