I always thought that London Airport would be the competition for Hamilton and not Waterloo International. They have a plan for up to 2.5 million passengers annually. They are owned by the Region of Waterloo and don’t seem to have a problem finding money.
Construction underway on Waterloo International Airport's $44M expansion
Stephanie Villella CTV News Kitchener Oct. 14, 2021
WATERLOO - Construction is underway on the Region of Waterloo International Airport's
$44 million expansion project.
The project should see the airport double in size in the next six months in a bid to increase the number of passengers from 70,000 in 2019 to more than
one million in 2023.
Region of Waterloo Chair Karen Redman, council, and staff celebrated the occasion Thursday by putting shovels in the ground.
“It is an exciting time for the region and today is an important milestone as the airport continues to grow and drive a thriving economy,” said Redman in a release. “Airline partners have recently announced an increase in destinations and frequency of flights, which will move the airport to the next level in world-class service. This will also provide more opportunities for the Region in terms of jobs and economic expansion.”
The project, which initially broke ground this summer, includes the construction of two buildings featuring baggage carousels, holding areas, food services, retail and pre-board screening.
"The increased commercial service into our Region coupled with increased capacity gives our destination a competitive edge and bodes well for the strength and growth of the community," said Minto Schneider, chief executive of Explore Waterloo Region.
Officials said the expansion, which is receiving $4 million from the federal government, will help drive economic growth in the region, create jobs and support tourism.
“This investment in the airport will help to ensure we are attracting people and companies to put down roots in Waterloo Region,” Redman said. “This growth is just the beginning as we build a community that is globally competitive and one of the world’s greatest places to live.”
Redman adds that about 80,000 passengers came through the airport in 2019, but that number is expected to grow by one million by 2023.
WestJet, Sunwing, Pivot Airlines, and Flair are all flying out of the regional airport, but plans are in the works for others to come.
"This has been successful, so this may see other airlines say okay maybe we should think about that," said Chris Wood, the general manager for the airport.
In 2017, WestJet cancelled its weekly flight to Orlando due to demand issues, and in the summer Flair cancelled a number of flights out of the region's airport as well.
"They're not going to continue to lose money on routes that aren't working," said Wood. "You can now fly to Calgary. I think you could buy tickets today for $89. You could never do that before."
The terminal expansion project is expected to be completed next spring, but the new arrivals building should be up and running by the end of 2021.
waterloo-international-airport-expansion-1-5623149-1634232109721 by , on Flickr
The 20 Year Airport Master Plan consists of five development stages. Each stage is triggered by pre-set annual passenger volume:
Stage 1 - Upon approval of 20 Year Airport Master Plan (April 2017)
Plan for 500,000 passengers a year
Stage 2 - Airport reaches 250,000 passengers (Roughly 3 Boeing 737 flights per day)
Plan for 1 million passengers & build for 500,000 passengers annually
Stage 3 - Airport reaches 500,000 passengers (Roughly 6 Boeing 737 flights per day)
Plan for 1.5 million passengers & build for 1 million passengers annually
Stage 4 - Airport reaches 1 million passengers (Roughly 12 Boeing 737 flights per day)
Build for 1.5 million passengers annually
Stage 5 - Airport reaches 1.5 million passengers (Roughly 18 Boeing 737 flights per day)
Build for 2.5 million passengers annually