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Passenger traffic continues to be on the upswing at the Bathurst Regional Airport, according to figures presented at last week's annual meeting of the local airport commission.

"To meet the growing demand, we have been operating flights with aircraft that carry 50 passengers instead of the usual 37," he said, speaking at the meeting that was held Thursday at the Gowan Brae Golf and Country Club.

The airport commission wants to continue to increase its terminal traffic, as well as the airport's profitability, according to executive director Jennifer Henry.

"Our short-term goal is to increase the number of daily flights to three by the year 2009," she said in her annual report. "We have also developed a marketing plan that concentrates on the support of larger regional-based organizations, both private and paragovernmental."

The airport presently offers two daily flights to and from Montreal via Air Canada Jazz.

Efforts to improve the airport have included modernizing the terminal, via the "installation of surveillance cameras inside and outside the facilities for a security system upgrade," said Ms. Henry.

"We have renovated the public washrooms, and work is under way to improve and expand the departure lounge and interial space at the terminal," she said. "We are also looking at improving the parking space in the near future."

Meanwhile, after all the numbers were crunched, the airport commission finished 2007 with a surplus of $204,072, despite the fact they receive no financial support from the government.

Mr. Losier said that money is earmarked for the reserve fund, which is going towards the effort to build a new airport. This amount will bring the fund up to $400,000 with the goal being to reach a total of $2 million.

By Greg Mulock
The Northern Light