While many groups have stepped up in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, one that has made a major contribution and is often forgotten is the Canadians who work in our aviation sector.
When the entire world went into lockdown, Canada’s major airlines worked with the federal government and our airports to bring home thousands of Canadians stranded abroad. Airlines helped to ship millions of dollars’ worth of necessary medical supplies and personal protective equipment.
As we all get vaccinated with our first and second doses, do you ever stop and wonder about the logistics involved in bringing those vaccines to the Alberta Health Services site, the pharmacy, or the hospital? Chances are good that the Edmonton International Airport played a role.
Did you know that, pre-pandemic, the airport, also known as EIA, supported 26,000 jobs and had an economic impact of more than $3.2 billion on our collective region? It offered more than 50 non-stop destinations, supported tourism, investment attraction, energy development, and much more.
At Alberta Enterprise Group, we can’t overstate how important an economic engine EIA is for us, but now this amazing facility needs our collective support so it can continue to help lift our whole region.
The COVID-19 pandemic devastated the entire aviation industry globally. Airlines cancelled dozens of routes and passenger volumes at EIA fell to 2.6 million travellers in 2020 from 8.1 million the year before.
With health restrictions easing and vaccination rates climbing, airlines are now making strategic decisions about where they will fly and what communities they will service. Businesses across central and northern Alberta need a strong international airport for our continued success.
The EIA, Edmonton Global, chambers of commerce, and municipalities in our region have collaborated in an effort to support air-service recovery. Clearly this airline attraction program to bring back international non-stop flights is a priority driver for our region's economic recovery. Airlines all want at least a three-year commitment on funding, and the communities have been asked to provide the same.
For business or personal reasons, strong air service matters. You don’t have to be part of the tourism industry or directly exporting to benefit. Maybe you’re trying to attract new investment from outside our region, or you’re trying to recruit a star candidate from a different part of Canada or beyond. Maybe you need to travel to an event and can’t lose time in multiple connections – whatever the reason, Edmonton International Airport is a vital facility.
There are ways we can all help ensure a positive future for ourselves by supporting EIA. When you travel next, make sure you travel through EIA. Talk with your airline of choice and request non-stop service to wherever you’re travelling if the route doesn’t exist.
Airlines respond to demand and now is the time to make our voices heard, as critical decisions about returning flights are being made. There are elections coming. Talk with your candidates to ensure they understand the vital role EIA has in our economic recovery. Visit www.flyeia.com/community to learn more.
John Liston is the vice president of Alberta Enterprise Group, and is a St. Albert resident active in our business and charity communities.
