The 2014 numbers — 336,789 — breaks the record for the third straight year, and is an increase of 8.4 per cent over the previous year.
The Deer Lake Regional Airport Authority reported a year-by-year increase in each of the past 12 months to reach the new all-time high. It has maintained its position as the fourth busiest in Atlantic Canada — behind Halifax, St. John’s and Moncton.
Todd Lee,chair of the board, said numbers throughout the year were at about 7 per cent higher, but they had a stronger fourth quarter than anticipated. While Jamie Schwartz, airport chief executive officer, said it was possible because of the support of the many airlines which utilize the airport.
During the past year, all of the commercial air carriers servicing Deer Lake increased their capacity by adding new equipment, new routes or enhanced schedules, according to Schwartz.
“We have quality services and a wide range of options for a market of our size,” he stated via press release issued Tuesday.
