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As the Calgary Airport Authority continues to work with public health agencies and airlines to facilitate the safe passage of people to their homes in Canada and abroad, it is taking actions to sustain critical infrastructure through the weeks and months ahead.
“We are now facing the stark reality that many parts of the aviation sector, including airports, require drastic cost-cutting measures and external support to remain viable,” said Bob Sartor, president and CEO, The Calgary Airport Authority. “Grounded aircraft are being parked on our aprons, taxiways, and a runway, thousands of aviation-related jobs have dissipated; in-terminal businesses are closing; and it’s unknown when air travel will rebound.”
Beginning March 31 at 12:01 a.m., YYC will begin consolidating its terminal operations to adjust to declining passenger volumes. All decisions regarding its operations, both in terminal and airside, ensure the continued safety and security of its guests, staff and partners:
- All domestic departures/arrivals will operate from Concourse B and C. Concourse A will be closed.
- Consolidate domestic check-in areas, bag drop and baggage carousel operations.
- All international and U.S. arrivals will continue to arrive in the International Terminal Building.
- U.S. departures will continue to operate in the International Terminal Building in Concourse E, but pre-board screening and United States Customs and Border Protection hours may be reduced.
- All international departures will check-in in the International Terminal building, but guests will go through pre-board screening at Concourse C. Guests will depart from gates D70/71, however the main Concourse D will be closed.
- Connecting passengers may experience changes in how they move between flights, including security screening and limited YYC Link shuttle service.
- Parkade 1 long-term and short-term parking remains open. Parkade 2 long-term is closed, but short-term parking is still available.
- More information is available here.
YYC is anticipating the following impacts as a result of the dramatic passenger volume decreases and flight cancellations should COVID-19 continue as predicted:
- Passenger volumes are expected to decline by more than 90 per cent between March and June 2020, and approximately 60 per cent over the entire year (compared to 2019 volumes).
- A projected revenue loss of 40 to 50 per cent in 2020 because of the impact of COVID-19 on travel and as of March 31:
- All airport or airline lounges are closed,
- 80 per cent of food/beverage and retail outlets closed,
- 90 per cent decline in parkade occupancy,
- 90 per cent decline in rental car volumes,
- 90 per cent reduction in taxi and ride share demand.
- Simultaneously, some costs have increased, including increased cleaning, staffing and communications efforts aimed at controlling the spread of COVID-19.
- YYC has deferred almost all capital spending and halted discretionary spending.
- The authority made the difficult decision to reduce its workforce by approximately one-third. executive leaders and senior management positions took salary reductions.
“The community is counting on YYC Calgary International Airport to make it through these changes and continue serving as a regional gateway grounded in safety and security for connecting loved ones, facilitating travel adventures, moving critical cargo and driving the economy,” added Sartor.
