The Fredericton airport could be expanding to meet the increased flow of passengers, if the provincial and federal governments are willing to get on board.
Fredericton Airport CEO Johanne Gallant says the airport terminal is already 75 percent over capacity — meaning long lines for passengers waiting to get through security.
Gallant says the airport was built in the 1960’s and wasn’t meant to accommodate 350,000 passengers a year. She says sometimes the lines stretch from the security screening area all the way to the terminal departure doors.
Airline passenger Mark Hatfield is travelling from Saint John to Toronto and was not anticipating a long line. He says it took a long time to get through security and that an expansion would be a welcome change.
London-bound passenger Marian Preston says even Heathrow airport has faster lines, despite it being much busier. Preston says she got up earlier than usual for her flight and would have preferred to sleep in longer — instead of spending time in line.
“I’m glad we left in plenty of time or we would have been running late,” Preston said.
Gallant says there is an expansion plan ready to go at the cost 30 million dollars. She says the airport already has one-third of the funds, but wants the federal and provincial governments to match what the airport already has.
She says the new design features more ticket counters to accommodate additional airlines, upgraded washrooms and multiple security lines.
Gallant also says the new terminal would accommodate up to 500,000 passengers annually.
READ MORE: WestJet announces Fredericton expansion, mayor hopeful traffic will boost expansion plan
Fredericton Mayor Mike O’Brien says the terminal expansion is crucial to to city’s economy.
“Right now business travelers don’t want to wait in a great big line-up. The airlines don’t want to have a lineup and potentially be late,” O’Brien said.
He says that as the airport grows the airport needs to have an efficient way to get people in and out of the city.
Fredericton Liberal Member of Parliament Matt DeCourcey says he’s aware of the funding challenges and is hopeful there will be funding opportunities available in the near future. He says he’s working with his government colleagues and other community members to try and find a solution.
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In a statement to Global News, New Brunswick deputy Premier Stephen Horsman says he recognizes that the Fredericton airport plays a vital role in economic development in the province.
“We will continue to work with municipal and federal leaders on options. We are currently reviewing the business case for the terminal expansion,” Horsman said.
Horsman says in the statement that a final decision has not been made.
Fredericton Chamber of Commerce CEO Krista Ross says the expansion would help local businesses succeed.
“Certainly it’s a large project, but our members are telling us that it’s going to help them do business and we need to grow our economy and the way to do that is to support business growth,” Ross said.
Ross says getting the airport renovated is a priority and that it would attract more new businesses to the city.
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