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By 2043 regional air travel volume in Southern Ontario is expected to reach more than 90 million passengers annually.
Air travel demand over the next two decades puts Toronto Pearson at roughly 65 to 70 million passengers annually with no signs of slowing down.
One way forward is for airports to work together to understand the growing aviation demands and how each airport can play a complementary role in Southern Ontario.
“Growth projections indicate that by 2043 Southern Ontario will be home to 15.5 million people and economic activity will double. This will generate more demand for air travel throughout our region,” said Howard Eng, president and CEO, Greater Toronto Airports Authority. “By working together as a system, we can accommodate this demand and support Southern Ontario’s economic growth.”
On Nov. 15, Eng joined community leaders for a discussion on regional growth and how airports across Southern Ontario are working together to plan for increased air service demand and better ground transportation to support passengers and employees. Community leaders included:
- Tom Galloway, chair, Planning and Works Committee / Regional Councillor, Region of Waterloo;
- Tony LaMantia, president and CEO, Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation;
- Ian McLean, president and CEO, Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce; and
- Chris Wood, general manager, Region of Waterloo International Airport.
“The local business sector recognizes that the Region of Waterloo International Airport is an important component of our trade-enabling infrastructure strategy,” said McLean. “The coordinated approach being discussed for Southern Ontario will ensure we receive the optimal benefit of private and public expenditures directed into air service.”
“We are in the process of updating our airport master plan, which will help guide the future of the Region of Waterloo International Airport for the next 20 years and have been working closely with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority,” said Galloway. “I would like to thank Howard Eng, along with the members of today’s panel for providing their insight on what this type of growth could mean for Waterloo Region and our local airport.”
The Region of Waterloo International Airport is home to 25 businesses that collectively employ over 300 people and together contribute over 90 million dollars annually to Waterloo Region’s economy.
For more information on the Region of Waterloo International Airport Master Plan click here or join the conversation.
