Ottawa International Airport Celebrates 2011 – Another Outstanding Year

Passenger volumes totaled 4,624,626 for the year – another record! Overall passenger traffic increased by 3.4%, with the following breakdown by segment:

Domestic: 3,429,310 passengers
Transborder: 750,486 passengers
International: 444,830 passengers

Finances

Revenues in 2011 were 15% higher at $103.1 million compared to $89.7 million in 2010, reflecting the stable economy of Ottawa and higher passenger volumes. An increase in the airport improvement fee from $15 per enplaned passenger to $20 per enplaned passenger effective February 1, 2011 was the most significant factor impacting financial results for the year. As a result, the Authority finished 2011 by generating earnings before depreciation of $27.9 million compared to $17.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. Cash payments for capital expenditures during the year totaled $31 million.

Awards

The airport was honoured with several prestigious awards for customer service:

#1 in North America for all airports in the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) program;
#2 in the world for airports that serve 2-5 million passengers in the ASQ program; and
Named to the Airports Council International Director General’s Roll of Excellence for consistently placing in the top three in the categories we qualify for under the ASQ program for five consecutive years.

Economic Impact

The Authority commissioned an independent economic impact study that confirmed the following:

Direct annual economic impact of $1.1 billion;
Total annual output of $2.2 billion (includes indirect and induced);
Nearly 5,000 full time equivalent employees at the airport; and
An additional 5,300 indirect and induced employees in the region as a result of airport operationsIn addition, the Authority has invested more than $500 million in airport infrastructure. This figure is particularly interesting when you consider that the net book value of the airport when it was transferred to the Airport Authority in 1997 was $75 million, and that the Authority has paid more than $132 million in rent to the federal government.

“Steady growth in passenger volumes combined with continued positive financial results is a tribute to both the community we serve and the Authority team” said Paul Benoit, President and CEO of the Ottawa International Airport Authority. He went on to say that he is “grateful for the continued support and encouragement from our passengers whose feedback tells us that we are proving a service that they need and want.”

Gilles Lalonde is also very pleased with the results of 2011 as he takes on his new role as Chairman of the Board; “I feel confident that the Authority has managed its affairs prudently and is well positioned to meet the future needs of its passengers and partners. I thank the Authority team for their diligence and commitment and I look forward to the airport’s continued growth and success.”