The Winnipeg Richardson International Airport is seeing near pre-pandemic levels of travel.
In 2023, there were 4,094,793 people who travelled through Winnipeg, marking the first time since the start of the pandemic that the airport welcomed more than four million passengers in a single year.
In the fourth quarter alone, the Winnipeg Richardson International Airport had over 957,000 passengers.
"Looking back at our journey over the past twelve months and all that our dedicated team members were able to achieve alongside our esteemed partners, there is so much to be proud of," says Nick Hays, President and CEO of Winnipeg Airports Authority (WAA). "From new routes to new airlines to more options for travellers, 2023 was truly an exciting year as it all equates to a more connected community, making Manitoba an even better place to call home."
The WAA consolidated revenue also climbed 11.1 per cent from the same period in 2022 to $40.5 million.
"We're thrilled to see how far we've come regarding our continued recovery," says Hays. "But, at the same time, we know we still have some way to go until we return to the solid financial position our organization previously enjoyed, as we had to take on additional borrowing during the pandemic to ensure we could continue to operate the airport - a critical piece of infrastructure for the community."
Recently, the airport introduced a complimentary cell phone lot for drivers waiting for passengers. Other highlights include Porter announcing it will launch non-stop service between Winnipeg and Ottawa this spring and the airport unveiling a new YWG sign in the arrivals hall to help greet travellers.