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Northwest Regional Airport passenger totals jump in June

Number over 3,000 higher than May, still under half of pre-COVID-19 levels
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Airbus A230 at the Northwest Regional Airport on June 30, 2021. Passenger totals increased by over 3,000 from May to June. (Black Press Media file photo)

The number of passengers moving through the Northwest Regional Airport jumped by over 3,000 from May to June 2021, as COVID-19 vaccination rates continue to rise in northwest B.C. and the rest of the province.

According to the latest figures from the airport, June saw a total of 11,306 passengers. That is still well below pre-COVID levels, but it is the busiest month so far this year and a significant increase from May’s total of just under 8,000 passengers.

In June 2019, the airport reported 24,000 passengers.

The Northwest Regional Airport services Terrace and Kitimat. Its statistics do not include passengers on chartered flights, so the actual number of people arriving and departing from the airport is actually higher. Charter passengers use a separate building for arrivals and departures.

On July 12, Air Canada Airbus A320 started landing at the Northwest Regional Airport three times per week, replacing flights serviced by smaller De Havilland Q400 aircraft.

Air Canada said in a statement to the Terrace Standard that the change to the larger A320 aircraft was made to meet additional demand, and that the airline will continue to adjust its schedule to reflect market demand going forward.

READ MORE: Northwest Regional Airport to host Airbus A320 flights