| Passenger Traffic Remaining Strong
Passenger traffic levels at the Deer Lake Regional Airport remain strong and continue to buck the industry trend with a fourth consecutive month of increased passenger movements over the previous year. The airport recorded a total of 12,875 enplaning and deplaning passengers during the month of October for a 9% increase over the same period in 2001. The yearly traffic levels have also experienced strong growth with a 7% increase recorded to date with only two months remaining in 2002. These traffic increases continue to defy the airline industry trend which has reported an average decrease of 9% in passenger traffic throughout Atlantic Canada airports. Carl Stratton, Chairman of the Deer Lake Regional Airport Authority, is pleased that the airport is experiencing significant growth while the industry continues to struggle to rebound to the level of activity it enjoyed prior to the tragic events of September 11, 2001. “The increase we are experiencing clearly demonstrates that Western Newfoundland is, and will continue to be, a strong market for both leisure and business travel,” said Stratton. “The Deer Lake Airport and the many quality services we now offer, is well positioned to meet the needs of the traveling public and we anticipate further growth,” added Stratton. The Deer Lake Regional Airport now offers regular passenger service from Provincial Airlines, Air Canada Jazz and Air Labrador. A new discount carrier, CanJet Airlines, will be adding regular 737 jet service in Deer Lake starting December 9, 2002. The Deer Lake Regional Airport is one of only a few remaining airports in Canada that does not charge or collect an Airport Improvement Fee or Passenger Facilitation Fee.
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