Calling it a 鈥渧ery positive year with some softening on certain routes,鈥� the CEO of the Comox Valley Airport said he is pleased with the growth of the past year at the annual public meeting of the Comox Valley Airport Commission Wednesday.

Fred Bigelow explained an increase of 5.1 per cent was recorded for the 2016 calendar year, as 368,733 people travelled through the airport.

He added a lesser increase of 1.1 per cent was reported for the fiscal year (April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017) - a direct reflection of reduced seat capacity with the loss of Central Mountain Air.

Despite what he called 鈥渁 bit of surprise鈥� at the speed at which CMA withdrew their services, Bigelow credited Air Canada with their speed to which they respond with early departure and late flight options.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 what we asked for, and that鈥檚 what we got.鈥�

Pacific 台湾MM裸聊室 Airlines also added service to the airport to assist both in-bound and out-bound passengers.

Despite the harsh winter with nine days in a row of snow, Bigelow said the airport was 鈥渢he envy of the Island and B.C.鈥� thanks to their partnership with CFB Comox, who cleared runways and assisted with their snow-removal equipment.

鈥淲e owe a debt of gratitude to 19 Wing for their tremendous support in keeping our airport open, operational and safe,鈥� stated Bigelow. 鈥淲e have always known we could count on their support, but the total effort we received this past winter truly stands out.鈥�

The airport did not lose one flight due to snow, he added.

While Westjet is shifting toward fewer 737s and more Q400s serving the airport, Bigelow noted the Puerto Vallarta winter flights remain strong.

鈥淚t would be difficult to find a community in Canada that is as well served as the Comox Valley,鈥� states Bigelow. 鈥淲hat鈥檚 important now is that we continue to fill those planes and feed our airlines鈥� hubs.鈥�

A strong financial statement was also reported for the 2016/17 year. YQQ reported an increase in revenue from $4.3 million to $4.7 million while expenses increased slightly from $3.3 million to $3.4 million, resulting in a net surplus of $1.3 million.

YQQ continues to offer one of the lowest Airport Improvement Fees across the country, providing a competitive advantage when seeking new air service.