Podcast: Bernard LeBlanc On Why The Moncton Airport Is An Important Economic Driver
The importance of airports to a community cannot be overstated, especially from an economic point of view. Airports were hard hit by the pandemic and are now in a state of recovery but it will take them several years to return to their pre-pandemic levels.
In the latest Huddle “Insights” podcast, Don Mills and David Campbell chat with Bernard Leblanc, the CEO of the Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport, about the impact of the pandemic and the efforts to rebuild its routes and increase cargo traffic. They also discuss how important the decision to move to a community-based airport authority was to improve infrastructure and service in air transportation across Canada.
When the airport released its last economic impact study in 2016, it showed the Moncton airport was a significant economic driver, employing about 500 people full-time and generating around $665-million in economic activity.
“There’s a huge benefit in having an airport and that’s why no region or municipality wants to give up their airport,” said LeBlanc.
You can listen to the conversation with Leblanc in the player above. Better yet, search for “Huddle Insights” on a podcast platform like Apple or Spotify. Follow the show and never miss an episode. You can also listen to past episodes on those platforms.
The “Insights” podcast combines the experiences of an economist, David Campbell, and a social scientist, Don Mills, to explore the challenges and opportunities facing Atlantic Canada, to promote data-driven decision-making among policymakers, and to encourage a wider dialogue and debate leading to greater prosperity for the region.
This episode of Insights is brought to you by MNP Digital – a firm that guides, protects, and empowers organizations along their digital journey. See how at mnpdigital.ca.