The City of Abbotsford is pleased to announce Abbotsford International Airport (YXX) is on track to have its most successful year in history, and is poised to welcome 1.2 million passengers by the end of 2023. YXX is not only one of the first airports to fully rebound from the pandemic but it has also surpassed its pre-pandemic figures.
"After a couple extremely challenging years for the air-travel industry, we are thrilled Abbotsford International Airport is having a record-breaking year,” said Mayor of Abbotsford and Abbotsford Airport Authority chair, Ross Siemens. “Since opening in 1997, our airport has been a key asset for Abbotsford as the cultural and economic Hub of the Fraser Valley. Its strategic location in one of the largest aerospace regions (including Washington State) in the world, and its world-class infrastructure make it an ideal hub for aviation activities and air travel. This achievement is a testament to the dedication and resilience of our entire team, the unwavering support of our aerospace community, and the trust our passengers have placed in us.”
Since 2015, Abbotsford International Airport has experienced a steady growth in passenger volumes, surpassing its 2019 record of 1,008,176 passengers in September 2023, and processing up to 7,400 passengers per day during peak travel days this summer.
YXX airline passenger volumes:
- 2015: 487,833
- 2016: 530,643
- 2017: 677,653
- 2018: 842,212
- 2019: 1,008,176
- 2020: 315,578 (due to COVID-19)
- 2021: 511,391 (due to COVID-19)
- 2022: 992,712
- 2023: 1.2 million (forecasted)
YXX’s success over the past few years can be attributed to several key factors, including its ongoing strategy to innovate and empower the greater business community to help grow the airport, enhanced safety protocols during the pandemic, and positive engagement with passengers. The uptick in air-passengers is driven by supportive airline partners and aerospace companies, and YXX’s competitive business platform. YXX does not charge an Airport Improvement Fee, which allows airlines to increase capacity and provide lower fares in Abbotsford, making air travel more affordable and accessible for all Canadians.
Home to three national carriers, WestJet, Swoop, and Flair Airlines, YXX offered direct routes this summer to Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto Pearson, Hamilton, Kitchener, London Ontario, and International service Puerto Vallarta, and Los Cabos.
For more information and to book air travel to or from YXX, visit www.abbotsfordairport.ca.
Quotes
"Congratulations to the Abbotsford International Airport for breaking their one million passenger milestone. Their unwavering dedication to bringing aviation to the Fraser Valley region has made our partnership stronger than ever and we look forward to growing Abbotsford's connectivity in 2024."
John Weatherill, WestJet Group Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer
"Flair Airlines congratulates the Abbotsford International Airport for their trajectory towards a record-breaking year. As a city that has become a vital part of Flair's story, we recognize the importance of Abbotsford and its residence to our airline. Their strategic partnership with ULCCs reflects our shared commitment to making air travel more affordable and accessible for all Canadians. We are excited about our continued collaboration as we collectively redefine the future of air travel in Canada. Here's to a bright future, Abbotsford!"
Stephen Jones, CEO of Flair Airlines
For more information contact:
Aletta Vanderheyden
Communications and Public Relations Manager
City of Abbotsford
E: media@abbotsford.ca