Le Lézard
Classified in: Tourism and vacations, Transportation
Subject: PER

Annual general meeting - Outstanding results that point the way to a promising future


QUÉBEC CITY, April 18, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - A historic increase in passenger traffic, exceptional financial health, and the delivery of world-class infrastructures: Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) unveiled its outstanding results this morning. Following the corporation's annual general meeting and in light of the 2018 annual report, President and CEO Gaëtan Gagné signed off on a positive set of results that points to a promising future. The new chair of YQB's board of directors, Jean-Claude Labbé, spoke at length about the major contribution made by Mr. Fortin and Mr. Gagné in recent years.

"Mr. Fortin and Mr. Gagné brought the biggest project in our history to a successful conclusion and gave concrete expression to a vision for the future that will benefit the entire community in the greater Québec City area, with support from our highly-experienced teams. Their efforts will have repercussions for the future of our region, in particular because of the creation of cutting-edge infrastructures and the signing of an agreement in principle for the establishment of a US customs preclearance centre at YQB," Mr. Labbé mentioned at the start of the meeting.

A favourable response from passengers and airlines 
The year 2018 ended on a note of historic growth, as Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport announced a 6.2% increase in passenger traffic to a new record of 1,774,871 passengers, 104,000 more than in 2017.

During the year, several airlines increased the number of flights from YQB. WestJet added a new destination, Calgary, along with new flights to Toronto, while American Airlines doubled its capacity on flights to the US, in particular by increasing service to Philadelphia. The same airline also plans to improve its schedule in 2019 with new flights to Chicago during the summer. The establishment of Air Canada Rouge in Québec City on the Québec-Montréal and Québec-Toronto corridors has been welcomed by passengers, while Air Transat has added new destinations at YQB and increased the frequency of flights to Montréal during the summer to allow passengers to catch connecting flights to European destinations. Last, Sunwing added Puerto Vallarta and Miami to its list of destinations, and also improved its summer schedule at YQB. Earlier this year, YQB signed an agreement in principle with Canada Jetlines Ltd., which intends to provide service from YQB in the future.

"I have been working to develop our airport and our region for more than two decades. I am proud to note that passenger travel at YQB has increased from 643,000 passengers in 2001 to 1.775 million passengers in 2018. The fact that passenger numbers have practically tripled over this period is not down to chance, but the result of an orchestrated plan with a clear emphasis on putting the Passenger First®. I would like to mention the commitment and passion driving my team's work. We have achieved a lot and we can face our next challenges with confidence and enthusiasm," says Gaëtan Gagné, President and CEO of YQB.

Enviable financial results and infrastructures 
As passenger traffic and airline service continues to grow, YQB is coming to the end of the largest expansion project in its history and putting the finishing touches to world-class infrastructures at YQB that will allow it to deal with further expected growth in air traffic and meet the needs of passengers from near and far. At the same time, YQB ended the year 2018 with an overall result of $11.1 million, after posting revenues of $68.2 million and operating expenditure of $57 million. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) were $27.7 million in 2018. All YQB profits are reinvested to increase the range of services for passengers and limit the use of debt in financing development projects. 

"We are delighted to see the financial results achieved by YQB. It is important to note, also, that we continue to take a prudent approach to risk management, while planning to invest in infrastructures to increase our capacity and meet the growing demand for airport services," states the outgoing chair of the board of directors, André Fortin.

A promising future
The new chair of the board of directors took the opportunity at the annual general meeting to report on the process to recruit a new President and Chief Executive Officer and confirm the appointment of Stéphane Poirier, an experienced manager with over 20 years experience in the air transportation industry. He is scheduled to take up his duties on April 23, 2019.

"We are extremely proud to announce Mr. Poirier's arrival at YQB. Our goal was to find an experienced manager with in-depth knowledge of the air transportation industry and we can now say: mission accomplished!", Mr. Labbé concluded.

About Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB)

YQB is managed by Aéroport de Québec inc., the private corporation responsible, since November 1, 2000, for the management, operation, maintenance and development of Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport. Around a dozen carriers use YQB to offer connections to North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico and Europe, and daily flights to the main hubs in eastern North America.

Recent distinctions: 

PASSENGER FIRST ®

Twitter: QuebecYQB
Facebook: facebook.com/aeroportdequebec
Web: www.aeroportdequebec.com

 

SOURCE Aéroport de Québec


These press releases may also interest you

at 09:05
The "Startups Revolutionizing Mobility - Wheels of Change" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The explores 14 key emerging trends within this sector, shedding light on the dynamic changes driven by innovative startups....

at 09:05
Genuine Parts Company , a leading global distributor of automotive and industrial replacement parts, plans to release first quarter financial results on April 18, 2024. Following the release, management will host a conference call at 8:30 a.m. ET....

at 09:00
GreenPower Motor Company Inc. (the "Company"), a leading manufacturer and distributor of purpose-built, all-electric, zero-emission medium and heavy-duty vehicles serving the cargo and delivery market, shuttle and transit space and school bus...

at 09:00
Senmiao Technology Limited ("Senmiao" or the "Company") , a financing and servicing company focused on the online ride-hailing industry in China as well as an operator of its own online ride-hailing platform, today announced that it has received a...

at 09:00
BorgWarner, a global product leader in delivering innovative and sustainable mobility solutions, has been awarded on Newsweek's list of Most Trustworthy Companies in America 2024. This prestigious award is presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., the...

at 08:46
bioaqualife is proud to announce that it is an official shrinkwrap partner of New York Yacht Club American Magic, the US Challenger for the 37th America's Cup. The America's Cup is the oldest organized international competition in the world. In 2023,...



News published on and distributed by: