Halifax airport hopes new flights to U.S., Europe boost passenger recovery
The Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA) is optimistic about the future as new flights are set to bring passenger numbers back to pre-pandemic levels. With passenger numbers nearing 4 million in 2024 and expectations to meet or exceed the 2019 levels of 4.3 million this year, Chief Financial Officer Paul Brigley is confident in the airport’s growth.
President Joyce Carter highlighted the upcoming opening of the new international connections facility, set to open this summer, as a key factor in attracting more flights. Exciting non-stop services are on the horizon, with Edelweiss Air launching flights to Zurich in July and WestJet resuming service to Paris for the first time since 2022 in May.
In addition to these new international connections, Discover Airlines will operate a Frankfurt service five times weekly, JetBlue will begin flying to Boston in June, and American Airlines will restore its Chicago service this summer. Carter noted the significance of bringing back the Chicago route, as it was one of the remaining U.S. destinations missing post-2019.
Closer to home, Porter Airlines introduced new flights from Halifax to Tampa and Orlando in December, while Pascan Aviation has resumed maritime routes to Sydney, Cape Breton, and Saint John, N.B. Despite a slump in global demand for air cargo in 2023, the airport processed 39,000 metric tonnes of cargo, the second-best year on record. Interest in the Halifax market remains strong, with Maersk launching cargo flights for the first time.
Looking ahead, the airport is preparing for a potential increase in demand for seafood exports to Europe and Asia, should U.S. tariffs affect exports like lobster. President-elect Donald Trump has proposed a 25 per cent tariff on goods from Canada, prompting the need for strategic planning.
Carter also addressed the importance of improvements to Halifax Transit route 320, which provides express service between downtown Halifax and the airport. To make bus travel more accessible, the airport authority introduced a special bus ticket sold at the airport specifically for the route. Carter emphasized the need for increased frequency and service hours to accommodate airport employees working overnight or early mornings.
In 2023, the Halifax airport contributed $3 billion to the local economy, with $927 million in labor income and employment for approximately 15,600 people. The airport’s continued growth and development signal a promising future for both travelers and the community.
