With the arrival of larger planes and a new airline, the Saint John Airport is working to accommodate an increase in passenger traffic.
Swoop Airlines begins flying into YSJ next month on 737 jets which can carry 200 passengers.
Saint John Airport president and CEO Sandy Ross said construction has already started inside the terminal building.
“Relocating the ticket offices that used to be for Flair [Airlines], putting them over in the main ticketing area, and then we’re creating some more space around the existing departure lounge,” Ross said.
Ross said the work will add another 1,500 to 2,000 square feet to the departure lounge.
The Saint John Airport has another goal for the departure lounge, which is to offer the airport restaurant’s full menu in it.
“We have to do a little work with Transport Canada and NAV Canada in order to get the regulations right, but we’ll be able to have the existing offering served in the departure area,” Ross said.
Ross said the work currently underway will mean the departure lounge can accommodate more than 300 people. It can only hold 140 people right now.
Ross said they are “very enthused” to have Swoop at the Saint John Airport, calling them a “growing player” in the ultra low-cost carrier sector.
Our departures lounge is growing!
Construction has begun on expanding our departures lounge from 140 seats to over 300 seats to accommodate our larger 737 flights.
We thank you for your patience during construction over the next several weeks! pic.twitter.com/o13lYgv1B2
— Saint John Airport (@YourSJAirport) April 28, 2022
