The Saskatoon Airport Authority is pleased to present another edition of our E-News, which delivers information about Saskatoon's Airport to our customers and community partners four times a year.

2007 Passenger Traffic

The Saskatoon Airport Authority is delighted to see 2007's total passenger traffic continuing to climb, setting even higher records.

A NEW YEAR BUT THE OLD YEAR TREND CONTINUES...

January 2007

• January was a new record setting month - at 89,188 passengers, beating our previous best of 83,786 passengers achieved in October 2006.
• Sunspot charter service and transborder service each recorded increases of 25% over last year.
• Sunspot charter service was almost double what it was just three years ago and transborder travel is the largest ever for the month of January.

February 2007

• Passenger traffic was up over 10.5% above February 2006.
• Average of 3,170 passengers per day, setting a record for our highest passenger average per day.
• Our second busiest month ever on record, second only to January 2007.
• Transborder service so far in 2007 is the best that it has been since 2001, with increases of 17% ahead of last year.
• Sunspot charter service is the largest it has ever been, ahead of last season by 45%.
• Domestic traffic is strong with load factors at record levels for all major carriers.

March 2007

• March 2007 traffic was 5.8% ahead of last year and our best March ever.
• March numbers are up due to excellent domestic carrier air travel.
• Charters to sunspot destinations wound up during March.
• Air Canada is indicating they will be bringing back the summer "Red Eye" to/from Toronto, beginning June 15.
• WestJet has also announced a fifth daily flight to/from Calgary.

April 2007

• April traffic is up 11.8% compared to the same month in 2006 and 8.5% ahead of last year's YTD.
• April saw a 21% increase in regional traffic to Regina and points in northern Saskatchewan and Alberta.
• Northwest Airlines summer schedule includes direct flights to Minneapolis as of May 1.
• Air Canada has announced a fifth daily flight to/from Calgary beginning in June. Calgary is becoming increasingly important as a connecting hub for Saskatoon's air traveler needs.

2007 Capital Program Update

The Saskatoon Airport will once again have a busy construction year in 2007.

Construction is scheduled to resume in our public parking lot this month, with completion near the end of July.

The eastern portion of Taxiway Charlie will be going to tender later this month and is anticipated to be completed some time in September, weather permitting.

The Airport has another Glycol monitoring station to install on the north drainage system and we are also undertaking a comprehensive five-year, facilities condition study. Both projects are anticipated to be completed by October.

Design work for the reconstruction of Runway 09/27 and restoration of portions of Taxiway Alpha and Foxtrot is also on the agenda for this construction season.

The Airport Authority has completed all equipment purchases for the year including grader, 26' grass cutter and tractor.

In 2000, Nav Canada, the operator of Canada's air traffic control systems, completed construction of a new $5.5-million control tower. The 30-metre high concrete and glass tower put Saskatoon on the leading edge of airport development.

Summer Students

The Saskatoon Airport Authority is very proud of our student employment program, employing post-secondary students as they continue their education.

If you see these people around the airport, say "hi!"

They are our 2007 summer students, assisting us with our extensive summer maintenance program. As part of our Airport Excellence program, the students work outside helping with the grounds clean up and maintenance, painting, planting trees and flowers, picking up garbage, as well as a variety of other tasks.

Saskatoon's Airport is home to Prairie Unique Gifts – a gift shop that provides a great selection of "Saskatchewan Made" items.

Saskatoon Airport's Ambassadors Program

In continuing with the Saskatoon Airport's "friendly" environment, we have embarked on a full-time Volunteer Ambassador Program to help alleviate traveller stress.

Our Airport Ambassadors provide a full-time program of ambassadorship and assistance with VIP events or other non-routine, airport-related activities.

If you enjoy interacting with the public, are friendly, cheerful and enthusiastic, you may be interested in becoming a volunteer Airport Ambassador.

For further information, please contact the Saskatoon Airport Authority's Administration Office at 974-4274 or Syl and Ivadelle Kulyk at 382-3894.

Canada Remembers International Air Show will be held in Saskatoon again this summer – mark your calendars for Aug. 18-19, 2007 as we Salute our Veterans.

Manager Customer Service, Communications & Marketing

Ms. Maxine Montgomery has recently joined the Saskatoon Airport Authority as our Manager Customer Service, Communications & Marketing.

Ms. Montgomery is the former Manager of Customer & Quality Care with West Wind Aviation. In joining the Saskatoon Airport Authority's management team, Maxine brings with her exceptional customer service experience and extensive aviation knowledge, which will be a definite bonus.

Maxine looks forward to working with you in efforts to enhance the Saskatoon Airport experience; she can be contacted at 975-4952 or send her an e-mail: mmontgomery@yxe.ca.

Please join us in welcoming Maxine to our organization.