The Gander International Airport Authority says without much-needed government support, the GIAA would have posted a $1 million loss in 2021.

The Authority held its AGM Wednesday, outlining the devastating impact COVID had on operations.

Gander International went from a peak of 12 daily departures from four airlines to non-daily interprovincial service with one airline.

The Airport Authority is reporting revenue of $10.8 million dollars, resulting in a net income of $3.7 million. The GIAA received $4.7 million in federal support through the Airport Recovery Fund, Regional Air Transportation Initiative and wage and rent subsidies.

The 60,330 passengers recorded in 2021 were just 37 per cent of pre-pandemic levels and the second-worst in airport history, although traffic increased 18 per cent over 2020.

President and CEO Reg Wright says the pandemic forced them to look at things through a narrower lens, focusing on cost containment and building a “leaner and more resilient airport.”

He likened the pandemic experience to “running blindly through a thick fog to an unknown finish line” only to find out you are racing to a red light.

Now their goal is to work with partners to restore air linkages broken by the COVID-19 pandemic.

St. John’s Airport Chair Elected as National Chair of CAC

Meanwhile, the Chair of the St. John’s International Airport Authority’s Board of Directors has been elected as the National Chair of the Canadian Airports Council Council of Chairs.

The CAC is made up of airport board chairs from across the country.

Tom Williams, a senior partner at O’Dea Earle, was first appointed to the St. John’s International Airport Authority Board of Directors in 2014 has been serving as Board Chair since 2019.

Williams says he’s proud to have the opportunity to represent airports across the country as they continue to rebuild and move out of the pandemic.