Ottawa – Ottawa International Airport Authority today released its financial results for the second quarter of 2003.

For the six months ended June 30, 2003, revenues exceeded expenses by $8.6 million as compared to $6.7 million for the comparable six months in 2002. The Airport Improvement Fee (AIF) had the most significant impact on the operating results of the Authority.

Ottawa Airport saw an increase in passenger volumes in Q1, however passenger volumes declined in the second quarter by 2.1% with the overall result to the end of June showing an increase of 0.9% over last year’s result. A slight increase in domestic volumes in Q2 was offset by decreased transborder and international passenger volumes in the quarter.

Revenues
The Authority generated $30.6 million in total revenues in the six months ended June 30th, 2003 compared to $26.3 million in the comparable period in 2002. Aeronautical revenues including terminal fees, loading bridge charges, and landing fees charged to air carriers increased by 2% over the same period in 2002. This was due to an increase in charter activity to sunshine destinations in the first quarter of 2003. Airport Improvement Fees increased by 43% from $6.7 million in the first six months of 2002 to $9.6 million in the same period of 2003.

Expenses
Total expenses increased by $2.6 million from $19.5 million in the first six months of 2002 to $22.1 million in the first six months of 2003. Interest expense accounted for $1.4 million of the increase. Expenses related to the filing of Air Canada for bankruptcy protection, higher costs for insurance and energy consumption, higher costs of employee benefit plans, and security costs not covered by CATSA also contributed to the increase in expenses.

Capital Resources
In accordance with the Authority’s mandate, all earnings are retained and reinvested in airport operations and development, including investment in capital expenditures to meet ongoing operating requirements. During the first six months of 2003, excluding capitalized interest, the Authority made cash payments of $65 million for capital expenditures related to the Airport Expansion Program and reduced its expenditure levels on maintenance capital items to approximately $0.2 million.

The AIF was increased from $10.00 to $15.00 per enplaned passenger on January 1st of this year. The increase was implemented earlier than planned due to the declining passenger rates that have been experienced since 2001. Airport improvement fees are being used exclusively to pay for the expansion of Ottawa Airport, including servicing the Authority’s related May 2002 bond offering.

OMCIAA operates Ottawa International Airport without government subsidies under a 60-year lease transfer agreement with Transport Canada. The Authority’s mandate is to manage, operate and develop Airport facilities and lands in support of the economic growth of the National Capital Region. Its 40-year old terminal building was last expanded in 1987. Since that time, passenger traffic has increased, necessitating the Airport’s current expansion project.


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For additional information, please contact:
Krista Kealey (613) 248-2050
Director of Communications and Public Affairs

www.ottawa-airport.ca