Comments on: Airport Passenger Statistics for Edmonton & Calgary

By: Briddy

Briddy — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 08:11:00 +0000

I would like to know where you got your passenger stats from for CYCD – Nanaimo. They do not appear to jive with mine. Regarding the “movements” those are available online.

By: Jerzy Matuszczak

Jerzy Matuszczak — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 14:26:34 +0000

any iformation regarding traffic in Canadain airports are welcome special from small airports.
Did a lot off job but long way to happy end with your help could be closer.

Jerzy

By: Jerzy Matuszczak

Jerzy Matuszczak — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 14:24:40 +0000

Hello

I would like invite you to my web page http://www.airportsbase.com
It is about airports special statisctics.
I want show airports history using statistics.
Hope somebody can help with Calgary traffic figures before 1995.

Hope you guys have good time.

Jerzy

By: Craig

Craig — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 19:49:30 +0000

Why do you start the stats in 1996? To examine these numbers we need a larger range an extra 5-10 years before consolidation.

Why are no other variables examined? Strong economics over the last 5 or 10 years could easily show faster increases in Edmonton then Calgary. (Also the opposite is possible) As we all know, Correlation does not equal causation.

As mentioned in previous comments it is unfair to include 1996/1997 in your stats as Edmonton air traffic was in a state of massive change. It is natural for number to be largely increased during this time.

Have you considered how many of Edmonton’s flights are to Calgary? Are total passenger number the right stat to be using? How about direct passengers to destinations outside of Canada? I don’t think anyone complains about Edmonton’s service to Calgary/Vancouver/Toronto. How many people use EIA to destinations other then these 3?

Also Calgary has more then 1 airport, Springbank opened in 1971. Has this effected Calgary’s air traffic?

By: WayneJ

WayneJ — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:21:51 +0000

One needs to look at the statistics much more closely, starting with a long term trend since the 50′s and with a partitioning of the traffic into international, long haul, short haul, cargo, corporate, and small private aircraft. Moreover, since Calgary has a larger population and more traffic at its international airport, one should expect a slower percentage growth. In addition, including the migration of muni traffic to the international in the mid 90′s simply produces a sleight of hand to fool the unwary. The economic cycles, and tar sands development and drilling have much to do with the economic fate of both cities, which in turn markedly affect growth rates or activity at airports.

I look suspiciously at a hidden agenda, to develop high density residential TOD enclaves, and I openly wonder if those high density advocates have it all wrong. I lived for considerable periods of time in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal as well as Edmonton in the 50′s and 60′s. What made these other cities attractive then, vis-a-vis Edmonton, has not changed. Development of higher density in downtown Vancouver, for example, did not make Vancouver attractive. That which draws people to the city, (Stanley Park, English Bay, False Creek, Granville, the harbor, the mountains, mild climate, etc.) existed in the 50′s and the policies to create higher density have done little to improve things, other than create unneeded congestion as people flock downtown to get services and entertainment.

By: Barbara Riddy

Barbara Riddy — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:05:06 +0000

As a pilot I would caution against any airport closures. What this airport has going for itself is close proximity to ammenities. As a pilot I avoid being hearded to major hubs and more inclined to land at these types of airports. What the uniformed fail to recognize is the economic benefit to having airports like this remain open. I would strongly encourage an economic impact study. You will recall years ago they considered closing Springbank, they felt it was under-utilized and primarily only by non-contributing general aviation. What they neglected to consider was the activities of the general aviation and benefit to community. As food for thought, it does not take us long to be in the next province – never mind the next city. The impact study revealed a $52 million dollar contribution to community. Needless to say – Springbank remained open and has continued to prosper. Are you sure your pave it, build it logic can produce the same kind of revenue for your community? My advice would be rather than destroy – you should build; create jobs and prosper. Do your homework which should include studying Nav Canada “movements”, then make an informed decision.

By: Mack D. Male

Mack D. Male — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:31:34 +0000

Susan, you’re right about the stats. I still haven’t found solid numbers for the sched flights out of ECCA for that time period, but my understanding is that we’re talking tens of thousands, so nothing compared to EIA or even the former Muni. There SHOULD have been zero after 1996. That’s why I went with zero originally and have left it that way.

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:28:44 +0000

Your statistics are incorrect. Zero (0) passengers at the ECCA since 1997 is not true! There has been, and currently are companies that offer flights to Northern Alberta and other areas within Alberta out of the ECCA. Obviously they’ll be out of business soon. The ECCA is well utilized by commercial, public and private sectors. I’m not in favor of closure, I wish for our City and Province to be vibrant and easily accessibly for all.

By: Francois

Francois — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 04:10:53 +0000

Mack,

This has got to be one of the best, non-biased articles on this topic. Thanks Mack, this is why I regularly visit your blog (and recommend it to all in this city).

-Francois

By: Brady

Brady — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 05:38:46 +0000

Chris:

I kind of figured that Villneuve would be the likely candidate to take over the GA side of things but it seems to me that the ECCA has the infrastructure in place already to support a massive GA operation. It would be a lot of money to tear down YXD and build it up into the city (although i can see how it would be beneficial) and to also spend on getting Villneuve up to par with what the ECCA is currently at.

But then again I’m not from edmonton, nor will i pretend to know a lot about the airports or what edmonton needs. I’d put me on the fence as well with a slight list towards keeping the ECCA.

By: Chris LaBossiere

Chris LaBossiere — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:01:00 +0000

Brady:

The city actually has four regional airports. the principal training airport would become Villeneuve, which has the same four runways and is a control zone than ECCA. There is also Cooking Lake, which is where a lot of GA pilots who own planes fly from.

As a Pilot I love the convenience and coolness of flying into the city core, without a doubt. that said, I see a very unique opportunity to reinvent the urban nature of our City, with a huge piece of central land.

Park me on the fence on this one.

By: Brady

Brady — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:47:14 +0000

Bill, With the med-evac issue, I’d just like to clarify. Only a very very small number of Med-Evac’s use helicopters. Typically the helicopters are used for emergencies where the patient is in life threatening condition. the large majority of Med-Evac’s are fixed wing aircraft needing an airstrip.

By: Mack D. Male

Mack D. Male — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:08:34 +0000

Bill – I agree. I too would love to see some impressive structures that pay tribute to the history of the lands.

By: Bill Hill

Bill Hill — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:04:44 +0000

Good afternoon Mark,

Most interesting report and comments. I, too, feel that the ECCA is past it’s best before date.

To address those concerned with medivac, I’ll bet creative minds could design ground/rooftop space to receive a chopper and access to the RA.

However, as one of, what may be called, the older generation, I feel that heritage, (community, city, provincial, national), is vital. If the ECCA land is to be converted to degrees of residential/commercial/educational use, I really hope that a strong visual legacy is left for present and future generations to enjoy and understand the importance Blanchard Field played in the history of Edmonton. And I don’t mean a few plaques hither and yon.
I would love to see some large sculptures, (possibly life size), of the aircraft and people who are synonymous with aviation history in Edmonton.
Wouldn’t it be cool arriving at NAIT and, as you step out of the LRT, be greeted by a biplane bearing down on you?
Just yesterday a client and I were discussing some of the past that Edmonton has lost because of short term thinking, (our perspective). Let’s get Edmontonians celebrating what has been, what is, and what can be.

Cheers.

Cheers

By: DJ Kelly

DJ Kelly — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:50:58 +0000

Damn you and your well thought out, fact based, intelligently stated, rational points. How do you debate someone like you? It’s frustrating.

I wonder if that is how the pro-ECCA crowd feels…