The first three months of 2024 brought persistent fog and winter storms, grounding flights and slowing operations at Trail Regional Airport (YZZ).
As a result, passenger numbers dipped compared to the previous year, affecting both revenue and fuel sales.
According to city data, YZZ recorded a total of 16,979 passengers in 2024, both inbound and outbound, a notable drop from 18,490 in 2023.
That’s nearly a 12 percent decrease.
With the airport’s seat fee holding steady at $16, this decline translated into a revenue loss of $24,000.
YZZ collected $272,000 in 2024 compared to $296,000 the previous year, marking an almost nine percent reduction.
The impact of the harsh winter extended beyond ticket sales.
The city’s second-quarter report (April to June) highlighted a dip in jet fuel sales, a direct result of multiple flight cancellations between January and March.
However, there was a turning point.
By the third quarter (July to September), airport operations were picking up.
“The airport passenger revenues are in line with the previous year despite the challenging winter,” the report noted, signalling a recovery.
The outlook for the final months of 2024 was even more optimistic.
Pacific Coastal Airlines introduced a larger aircraft and doubled its daily flights from late October through April 2025, a move expected to boost passenger numbers further.
Despite the improvement, the lingering effects of the tough winter remained.
“Jet fuel sales and the offsetting expenses have not recovered from the challenging 2024 winter,” the third-quarter report stated.
However, lower fuel costs helped balance increased salary expenses after the airport manager’s position was expanded from part-time (.5) to three-quarters (.75).
Overall, YZZ recorded 596 landings in 2024, with 137 flights cancelled due to weather or maintenance, maintaining an 80 percent landing success rate.
Looking ahead, the city is focusing on the airport’s future.
An updated master plan is a top priority for management, and the city has applied for a B.C. Air Access Program grant to fund it.
The new plan will guide expansion, land development, and long-term growth, an essential step, as the airport’s last master plan dates back to before the new terminal opened in November 2017.
While 2024 brought challenges, the airport is positioning itself for smoother skies ahead.
