Carter said little did they know, this was only the tip-of-the-iceberg, in terms of the impact COVID-19 would have, not only the airport, but on the entire province, industry and citizens around the world. By March, travel restrictions were implemented by the Government of Canada and Government of Nova Scotia, requiring anyone entering the country or province, respectively, to self-isolate for 14 days. A provincial State of Emergency was declared, and governments advised against non-essential travel. At the airport, an enhanced cleaning program was introduced, public seating was removed in the food court, and hand sani- tizers were deployed to ensure those who were travelling for essential reasons were comfortable and supported along their journey. In response to the border restrictions and increasing COVID-19 cases around the world, the airport saw far fewer travellers, resulting in drastic cuts to air service frequencies and flight options – most of which are still in place today. Looking back at 2019, Halifax Stanfield served 4.2 million passengers, with 200 flights a day flying to 46 destinations across Canada, the U.S. and Europe. Today, there are only about a dozen
flights each day connecting Halifax to a handful of domestic destinations. Passenger traffic on average has been down 90 per cent throughout the pandemic and no improvement is expected with the second wave underway and domestic self-isolation requirements for those entering Nova Scotia continuing.
The Inland Group of Comapanies salutes Halifax Stanfield on their 60 Year milestone!
From handling fewer than 200,000 passengers in their first year, to well over 4 million this past year, Halifax Stanfield has proven to be the region’s leading center of economic, social and cultural life. For over 25 years, Inland has been a proud service provider and partner to the airport, airlines and Halifax community.
www.inlandgroup.ca
As a non-share capital corporation, HIAA relies on passenger and flight activity to generate revenue needed to operate. HIAA reinvests end-of-the-year surpluses into airport operations and on-going facility improvements. A portion of the surplus also goes toward paying rent annually to Trans- port Canada, as part of its long-term land lease agreement to manage the airport. Operating in a user-pay system means when very few people are travelling, the airport generates very little revenue to support operations. “If you were at the airport today, you’d see there are hardly any vehicles in the parking lot, very few people in the building…it’s like a ghost town” said Carter. “It is difficult to imagine any business that could remain open and operating with 90 per cent less activity than normal for months on end.”
for 60 years . home
Bringing us
“ It is difficult to imagine any business that could remain open and oper- ating with 90 per cent less activity than normal for months on end.”
Thank you YHZ .
437PrinceSt., Truro,NS902.895.1651 innonprince.com
Photo by Ross Parmly
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JANUARY 2021 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • JANUARY 2021
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