CALGARY — YYC Calgary International Airport (YYC) welcomed a total 15.7 million passengers last year, an increase of 1.3%, setting a new record for passenger traffic.

Opened just last October, YYC’s $1.6 billion International Terminal added 24 gates to the airport, enhancing aircraft handling capacity and flexibility. It also boasts North America’s first call-to-gate aircraft boarding process, and features enhanced technology for baggage processing and check-in.

Also fuelling growth was increase airlift. WestJet Airlines introduced its first transatlantic destination from Calgary, launching its London-Gatwick flight from YYC in May, as well as seasonal service to Thunder Bay. Air Canada launched a new seasonal service to San Francisco and also continued the rollout of 787 Dreamliner aircraft on its flights to London-Heathrow, Frankfurt and Narita.

Hainan Airlines launched year-round nonstop flights connecting YYC to Beijing, Alberta’s only passenger service to China, while KLM Airlines introduced a 787 Dreamliner on its YYC-Amsterdam route.

This year, Aeromexico will begin year-round nonstop service connecting YYC with Mexico City beginning in June.

Seasonal and charter options also continued to grow at YYC. Sunwing Airlines introduced new points in Cuba and Costa Rica, Edelweiss brought back its summer seasonal service from Calgary to Zurich, and Air Transat’s new flight options to Calgary also provided a boost. Korean Air/Hanjin Travel once again offered charter service to Incheon Airport last summer, while NewLeaf offered a winter seasonal charter service to Hamilton and Abbotsford.

“Our 2016 numbers show YYC and its airline partners are providing businesses and travellers access to the markets and destinations they’re looking for,” said Bob Sartor, President & CEO of The Calgary Airport Authority. “With the opening of our new International Terminal and new cargo facilities at YYC, and the addition of destinations and services introduced in 2016, YYC will continue to be a key driver of economic growth for the City of Calgary and the province overall.”