Hamilton, ON (January 23, 2020) – John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport is excited to share its 2019 passenger and cargo traffic results as well as updates on investments at the Airport. Last year, 955,373 passengers travelled through Hamilton International representing a 32% growth over 2018, 60% over 2017 and a remarkable 187% over 2016, representing almost triple the passenger activity from three years ago. The Airport expects to see this growth trajectory continue in 2020 due in part to new seasonal routes from Swoop beginning this summer from June through October 2020 between Hamilton, Ontario and St. John’s (Newfoundland), Moncton (New Brunswick) and Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island).

These new services are a fantastic complement to the current Swoop schedule in Hamilton which includes year-round destinations in Canada, the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean. WestJet continues its six weekly flights between Hamilton and Calgary and will add additional frequencies during the peak summer season. Seasonal carriers Air Transat and Sunwing also continue to offer additional vacation options for customers in the Hamilton region during the winter season.

Along with continued growth in the passenger segment, the Airport remains Canada’s largest overnight express cargo airport and in 2019, cargo activity steadily has grown to represent an increase of 21% over the same three-year period since 2016. Steady growth in the cargo segment has created the demand for additional cargo facilities and jobs in Hamilton. In 2019, DHL Canada broke ground on its new 200,000 square foot facility that will be four times the size of the current DHL facility at the Airport and will feature a fully automated sort system with a capacity of processing 15,000 packages per hour. This will be DHL’s largest facility in Canada and represents a $100 million dollar investment by DHL in Hamilton.

In 2019, KF Aerospace commenced construction of its $30 million expansion of its aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facility at Hamilton International. It’s first of two facilities, the new 75,000 square foot hangar introduces wide-body aircraft capability and generates additional steady, full-time jobs to the region over the next four years. It will also allow KF Aerospace to provide state-of-the-art shops, classroom and hangar space for Mohawk College’s Aviation Technician programs.

“Within the last three years Hamilton International Airport has been one of the fastest growing airports in North America,” said Cathie Puckering, President & CEO, John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport. “The opportunities and potential in Hamilton are being recognized by companies who have invested millions to build and expand at the Airport. Hamilton International is well positioned to continue to be an economic engine for the city, region and province.”

In 2019, Hamilton International also began an Airfield Rehabilitation and Modernization Project to fully restore its two main runways, supporting taxiways and lighting systems over the next four years. These projects will improve the efficiency, reliability and safety of airport operations, accelerate investment to accommodate the increasing use of larger wide-body aircraft for domestic and long-haul traffic to support current and future growth through Hamilton International. The total project cost is $38.89 million and gained support from Transport Canada and its National Trade Corridor Fund that will contribute $18.54 million, with the balance funded by airport operator TradePort International Corporation, as part of its capital investment plan.

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About John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport 

John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport is a growing international gateway for affordable travel and the largest overnight express freight airport in Canada. In 2019, the airport served 955,373 passengers, a year-over-year increase of 32%. The Airport is owned by the City of Hamilton and managed under an agreement by TradePort International Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vantage Airport Group – an industry leading investor, developer and manager of airport assets. This allows Hamilton International to incorporate best-in-class practices from around the world into its operations. As an efficient facilitator of cargo and passenger operations, John C. Munro Hamilton International is an economic engine and responsible community partner. Its strategic location and uncongested 24/7 operations make it an attractive option for both passenger and cargo carriers looking to serve the Southern Ontario market. flyhamilton.ca