The Saskatoon Airport Authority (SAA) is a private not-for-profit corporation that is distinctly community-based and reliant on a user-pay revenue model which is dependent on passenger and aircraft traffic. 2020 was a year like no other as the mid-March escalation of the global pandemic caused unprecedented drops in passenger and aircraft traffic subsequently decimating the airport's financial position and materially changing operations. With a 98 percent decrease in passenger traffic as a low point in April, only a limited recovery occurred by year-end as 69 percent less passengers used our airport in 2020 when compared to 2019. While an exhaustive yet compassionate cost reduction initiative spanning all areas of operating and capital expenses was undertaken, the SAA ended 2020 with a substantial financial operating loss, accumulated financial debt and stifled capital development plans.
While many aspects of our operations changed in response to the pandemic, Skyxe Saskatoon Airport (Skyxe) continued to put our guests first by following strict provincial health guidelines and incorporating several health, safety and industry-aligned measures for travelers, airport staff and the public. Skyxe continues to deliver contactless and sanitized processes such as pandemic cleaning protocols; self-serve bag drops; adjusted and partitioned passenger flows; ultra-violet sanitization; and air ventilation system upgrades. The airport was proud to be recognized by Airports Council International for meeting preeminent global airport standards of a safe travel experience and attaining the Airport Health Accreditation.
Additionally, Skyxe furthered their commitment to enhance guests’ experience by completing the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification program which is a national rating system that measures and certifies the level of meaningful access of buildings and sites in Canada.
“Just as we’ve never experienced a global pandemic, we’ve also never had to develop and implement a plan for recovery from one. Throughout 2020, we have remained committed to serve our guests and our community by providing essential travel services,” says Stephen Maybury, president and CEO of Skyxe Saskatoon Airport. “The Saskatoon International Airport remains open for people who still need to travel. We are dedicated to supporting Canada’s economic recovery by continuing to move cargo through our airport and ensure that local Air Ambulance and STARS organizations can continue to provide life-saving services.”
Uncertainty persists with respect to air travel demand once material numbers of people are vaccinated. Skyxe will continue to be nimble, flexible and ready to pivot for change which we desperately hope will include an inflection point signaling the safe and healthy recovery of passenger travel and the re-start of their community’s economy.
