YQM Eyes Cargo Growth in 2023
MONCTON — The Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport (YQM) believes there is a lot of potential to grow the cargo side of its operation.
At its recent annual general meeting, the airport anticipated 2023 will be strong year of recovery for cargo after a slight drop of one percent in activity last year.
YQM president and CEO Courtney Burns said live lobster shipments have been ramping up lately and she believes more New Brunswick products could be transported by air.
“It doesn’t all have to be live lobster but there is salmon and there is processed seafood that we suspect and, anecdotally, is being driven out of this province,” she noted, referring to products being trucked to Quebec, Ontario or even Boston and then being flown out.
Live lobster shipments have been rising lately and China Southern Airlines made its first cargo flight to YQM last weekend.
Burns adds the airport has been built with growth in mind given its long runway, cold storage facility. and a ground handler to support cargo flights.
Allan Dearing is a reporter with 91.9 The Bend in Moncton, a Huddle content partner.