Passenger traffic at Sault Ste. Marie Airport is increasing steadily

Airport passenger traffic in September is up from numbers in August.

This means that the last three months have shown the highest levels in the past 18 months.

Though there are fewer flight options for passengers, and passenger numbers are still down 61 per cent from October 2019, Terry Bos, president and CEO of Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corporation (SSMADC) is optimistic.

"The airline schedules are nearing a return to normal levels however, passenger levels still have a long way to go to return to those levels."

Bos said in a press release from SSMADC that the market will tell if flight options remain the same or decrease, as passenger levels become clearer.

"If passenger levels take off then there should be enough support to maintain the expanded flight schedule."

Porter returned to service Sault Ste. Marie in October, with two flights Sunday to Friday, and one flight on Saturday. 

Bearskin Airlines provides two flights on Sundays, five flights daily Monday and Friday, and six flights Tuesday to Thursday, while Air Canada Express provides three flights daily.

This is a decrease from 2019, when Air Canada had four flights daily, Porter had three daily Sunday to Friday and one Saturday, and Bearskin had 31 flights per week.