Travel slump at Deer Lake Airport not a concern, says CEO

Low oil prices means fewer Newfoundland and Labrador workers are commuting to western Canada but the airport in Deer Lake isn't worried about business.

• Deer Lake Airport may have slump in light of low oil prices

The airporthad a record year in 2015 with341,072 passengers but 2016 is not looking aspromising.

"The last few months we're trending downward and we anticipate that trend is going to continueas the economy slows down," said Jamie Schwartz, president and CEO of the Deer Lake Airport Authority.

"We think its a direct result of low oil and certainly the commuting workers that travel to Alberta and Saskatchewan for work on a regular basis. We've seen those numbers drop off a fair bit."

Ups and downs

While Schwartz does anticipatea further decline intraffic, he saysit's not unexpected.

The airport has seen atransition in the workers who commute, many who used to head west are now heading to work at Muskrat Falls which has helped lessenthe blow of the western commutinglosses.

"It's not unusual for airports to have peaks and valleys in air traffic and it's something we anticipate for the upcoming year. We can't have a record year every year."

Schwartz isn't overly concerned about the slowdown. He said thelow Canadiandollar maykeeppeople from traveling to the U.S but should stillhelp drive tourism.

Last year'stourism season was strong withrecord traffic from July to September.

"Many Canadians will stay at home and travel within Canada because of the low dollar ... and we're also hearingsome positive signs from the outfitting industry with the low dollar which is attractive to Americans," Schwartz told CBC.

Schwartz added that with the cold weatherhehopes the airport's direct flights to Orlando, the Dominican Republic, and Cubawill help entice travellers.

"We've had some really good years and of course, your need really good years toget you thorough some leaner years."