Provided by Aéroport de Québec/CNW

QUÉBEC CITY, March 27, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ – Over the past two weeks, Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) has deployed extraordinary measures in response to the global pandemic that is hitting the air transport industry particularly hard.

“While the situation is changing from day to day, and even from hour to hour, our role and our priorities have not changed: to help our passengers, from here and abroad, get home safely,” stated Stéphane Poirier, President and CEO of YQB. “I would sincerely like to thank all of the employees at the airport, including YQB’s employees, who have shown an unwavering dedication to our travellers. I applaud the commitment of everyone who is helping alleviate the concerns about getting our passengers home,” he said.

Affected operations require tough decisions
As a result of the announced border closure, YQB is expected to see only a few hundred passengers at most each day. For the months of March and April, this could equate to an 85% drop in passengers compared to forecasts, not to mention a substantial loss of revenue.

All airports have been hit hard by COVID-19. The Canadian Airports Council estimates that they will be facing a 55–70% drop in traffic between March and June 2020, with a 28–42% decline for the year as a whole. COVID-19 is expected to be responsible for $1.8 to $2.2 billion in lost revenue in 2020 due to its impact on travel.

The YQB team is working tirelessly to find innovative solutions that allow it to continue operating in this challenging environment. Not only has it significantly reduced its operating expenses, but unfortunately it has had to resort to some 40 temporary layoffs for employees whose services are no longer required given the significant scaling back of airport operations.

An essential service
Under its ground lease with Transport Canada, YQB is required to actively manage, operate and maintain its runways and facilities at all times, as long as demand requires. Unless otherwise specified, the team must also provide a minimum level of service, even if it’s only for emergencies and the transportation of essential goods.

On track for recovery
While the pandemic is hitting the air transport industry hard, YQB remains focused on the future beyond COVID-19 and the central role that the organization must play as a driver of economic development for our region.

“YQB is a strong organization and we are well positioned on the market. We are staying positive when we look to the future. Once this pandemic is behind us, we will work hard to achieve the goals we have set for ourselves,” concluded Poirier.

Provided by Aéroport de Québec/CNW

QUÉBEC CITY, March 9, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ – Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) has been named the best airport in North America in the 0–2 million passenger category by Airport Service Quality (ASQ), which is a survey conducted by the Airports Council International (ACI) that measures passenger satisfaction.

Caring for our passengers is one of our guiding principles. We work hard to make YQB an airport of choice by fostering a human element that is as ambitious as its region and connected to the needs of its passengers. This recognition from our passengers motivates us to keep going further. It’s also a reflection of our employees, who are the key to our success. We proudly accept this award, with the promise of maintaining high quality standards,” stated Stéphane Poirier, President and CEO of YQB.

YQB was also named the best airport in its class in North America in 2010, 2011 and 2013. This marks the first time the airport has received this prestigious award since the opening of the new terminal building. The ASQ survey results are closely linked to the improvement of the airport and enhancement of the passenger experience since the terminal building’s expansion and reorganization. Everything has been upgraded, from the services (stores and restaurants) and the comfort of the waiting areas to the accessibility of the airport itself and the ease of each step of the passenger journey (check-in, search, customs).

“The ASQ survey results are important performance indicators for our organization. They allow us to prioritize our actions and ensure that we are investing our efforts where it counts so that we can work towards our goal of being an airport that makes people in the greater Québec City area proud,” said Mr. Poirier.

About Airport Service Quality (ASQ)

The ACI study measures overall customer satisfaction across a range of service metrics. It assesses the airport experience from arrival at the terminal to boarding. A given number of passengers must complete a survey each quarter, according to samples determined by AQI officials. This data, which is recorded the day of the trip, is analyzed to serve as a guide for airports to help align their services with passengers’ expectations. By comparing similar airports, the ASQ allows airports to determine where they stand in relation to their peers. This, in turn, allows them to prioritize improvement projects and ensure they are making the right investments in services and facilities. More than 200 airports worldwide participate in the ASQ.

Provided by Aéroport de Québec/CNW

QUÉBEC, March 6, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ – Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB)’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gases have once again been recognized, as the airport has received Airport Carbon Accreditation level 3 certification.

“Protecting the environment is a priority for YQB, and the organization is working constantly to ensure that its practices meet the highest environmental standards in the industry. YQB has established several environmental measures that have made Québec City’s airport one of the most energy-efficient in North America,” stated Stéphane Poirier, President and CEO of YQB. “This certification shows once again that our efforts to limit the emissions from our own energy use are paying off,” he added.

Thanks to numerous energy-saving measures in recent years, YQB has succeeded in reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 44% compared to 2016, even though the terminal has expanded by 60%. In order to achieve ACA Level 3 accreditation, YQB has engaged its stakeholders in its efforts to reduce GHG emissions. In the coming months, they will take part in an air emissions management committee that will prepare concerted actions to limit GHG production at the airport.

Airport Carbon Accreditation is a global carbon management certification program established by the Airports Council International (ACI). The program provides airports with a common framework for active carbon management with measurable goalposts. The carbon emissions of each airport are independently verified using an evidence-based approach in accordance with ISO 14064 (Greenhouse Gas Accounting). The certification includes four levels: Mapping (level 1), Reduction (level 2), Optimisation (level 3) and Neutrality (level 3+). Only 17 airports in North America have reached level 3, and just 6 of those are in Canada.

For more information on Airport Carbon Accreditation, visit the program’s website at http://www.airportcarbonaccreditation.org. 

Provided by Aéroport de Québec/CNW

QUÉBEC CITY, Feb. 6, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ – We all know that dogs are man’s best friend. And soon, they’ll bring joy to many travellers at Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB). If you’ve seen dogs and their handlers walking around the terminal recently, your eyes haven’t been deceiving you. This morning, Marc-André Bédard, Vice President – Operations at Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) and Marie-Claude Deschênes, Director General of Cégep de la Pocatière, officially launched a pet therapy pilot project at YQB. This eight-week initiative is designed to comfort travellers who may be feeling anxious or stressed before flying while allowing students to gain experience in a real-life environment.

“Many travellers are afraid of flying to some degree. Heart palpitations, increased sweating, difficulty breathing… for many people, the anxiety and discomfort can begin well before takeoff. Even the sight of the terminal can make it worse. At YQB, we make sure to do everything we can to provide the utmost reassuring experience for the thousands of travellers we see each week,” explained Marc-André Bédard, Vice President – Operations at YQB. “For example, the terminal’s large, bright waiting areas have been specifically designed to be calming. Furthermore, our Passenger Experience team is always at the airport to answer travellers’ questions and give them the support they need. Today, thanks to a promising collaboration with the Cégep de La Pocatière, we are pleased to be offering pet therapy to travellers in the greater Québec City area,” he added.

Having therapy dogs in the terminal helps build a rapport between the handler and the travellers. The presence of a dog, even if it is only for a few minutes, gives anxious travellers something else to think about. It redirects attention, helping to reduce stress, anxiety and worry. And of course, it makes people smile. As of February 9, 2020, students in the Intervention Strategies in Animal Therapy ACS program at EXTRA Formation, Cégep de La Pocatière’s continuing education program, will join teachers and their dogs to work with passengers in the secure area of the terminal building. The teams will be at the airport during busy periods for eight weeks.

“We are very proud to offer a formal pet therapy service at the airport, provided by budding professionals and supervised by a qualified teaching team in a training program recognized by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. This new internship option for our ACS students in Intervention Strategies in Animal Therapy, which concludes their 585 hours of training, allows them to enhance their experience in a unique environment,” said Marie-Claude Deschênes, Director General of the Cégep de La Pocatière.

In pet therapy, a qualified trainer works with groups or individuals using a carefully selected and highly trained animal.

The goal is to elicit reactions that can help people maintain or improve their cognitive, physical, psychological or social state. Many airports around the world have implemented pet therapy initiatives. While they naturally appeal to all animal lovers, they are primarily intended to soothe passengers who are more anxious or stressed in an airport environment.

Provided by Aéroport de Québec/CNW

QUÉBEC CITY, Nov. 21, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ – Stéphane Poirier, President and CEO of Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB), was invited to address Québec City’s business community as part of a luncheon held by the city’s chamber of commerce. During his presentation, he discussed how YQB intends to support the growth of Québec City’s airport, allowing it to fully play its role as a driver of socio-economic development and, eventually, take its proper place on the world stage.

Focus on development
“Six months ago, I took over the reins of an organization during a time of transition. My goal was to accelerate its growth and development. Now, my role is to help it meet its full potential, while ensuring a profitable transition for YQB after a major period of construction,” said Mr. Poirier. To achieve this, the organization will invest all its efforts in four strategic areas: diversifying revenue, optimizing and reducing operating costs, mobilizing human resources and engaging the community and stakeholders.

Mr. Poirier believes that YQB’s development depends heavily on the involvement of the community. He invited business people from the greater Québec City area to become leading ambassadors to help the organization increase its influence and pursue its growth. “We will need commitment from everyone. Improving air accessibility requires many different stakeholders to work together. We’re working on concrete initiatives alongside airlines and several key players in the region,” he stated. These efforts are bearing fruit, as several airlines have improved their service to Québec City in recent months (see details in the appendix).

YQB also has its sights on destinations desired by residents of the greater Québec City area. “Working with the community, we’re going to focus our efforts on viable destinations for our market. We will create winning conditions to improve service to destinations already offered from YQB—such as Paris, Fort Lauderdale and Calgary—and we’re going to make a major effort to pick up direct flights to Boston, Orlando, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Edmonton, Vancouver and Halifax,” said Mr. Poirier.

American Customs pre-clearance centre: a key project
Mr. Poirier also took the opportunity to review the situation of the American Customs pre-clearance centre at YQB. “Establishing a pre-clearance centre is a must for the Québec City airport’s development. This is a project that has been requested by the community and all of our economic partners in the region. We have made great strides on this issue and are continuing to work hard on it,” he said.

To that end, YQB is holding discussions with all relevant stakeholders (elected officials and the Canadian and American governments). “We’re looking at different models that would let us make YQB a pilot project and a technological showcase for American Customs pre-clearance.” Our goal is to complete the project by reducing implementation times and costs and improving the passenger experience,” he added.

YQB, a driver of socio-economic development
Finally, Mr. Poirier confirmed his intent to strengthen YQB’s contribution to regional socio-economic development. “We want to make YQB a model of regional representation and a real lever for economic development. In the Québec City region, YQB already generates $260 million in economic benefits annually and supports 2,500 jobs at the airport. We can say that YQB is very important to the economic health of our region and we intend to increase its contribution tenfold in the coming years,” he concluded.

About Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB)
YQB is managed by Aéroport de Québec Inc., a private corporation responsible for the airport’s management, operation, maintenance and development since November 1, 2000. More than a dozen carriers offer flights from YQB to destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico and Europe, and daily flights to the main hubs in eastern North America.

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Improvement of air service to YQB in the last six months

• Air Canada has announced its first international flights from YQB for the winter of 2019–2020: Cancún and Punta Cana. The airline is also improving its service to Toronto by modifying the type of aircraft used to increase capacity during peak hours.
• American Airlines is launching a seasonal flight to Chicago (two airlines now serve this destination from YQB).
• Air Transat is increasing its capacity and frequency of flights to Paris and Fort Lauderdale for winter 2019 and summer 2020.
• Sunwing is adding a new Mexican destination from YQB for the winter of 2019–2020: Mazatlán.

SOURCE Aéroport de Québec

Provided by Aéroport de Québec/CNW

QUÉBEC CITY, Oct. 30, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ – Dozens of emergency responders and more than 100 extras gathered at Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) today to participate in a large-scale emergency simulation of an active shooter situation in the terminal building. This exercise allowed YQB and its partners to test their emergency procedures and learn from the interaction between the security partners involved in the exercise. As part of its obligations to Transport Canada, YQB has a duty to test its Emergency Measures Plan (EMP) on a regular basis.

The Service de police de la Ville de Québec (SPVQ) deployed a large contingent of police officers. For the SPVQ, this exercise was highly instructive, given the actions needed to implement response plans for a critical incident involving a large number of emergency responders. The police force’s mission is to protect lives; the ability to work coherently with our partners is essential to accomplishing this mission. Working alongside our partners, as well as the police’s operational response during this simulation, undoubtedly allowed the SPVQ to improve its services to the community.

The Service de protection contre l’incendie (SPCIQ) was also in attendance, assisting the SPVQ by quickly dispatching firefighting teams to the site so that their actions could be coordinated with other parties. The firefighters were supporting the SPVQ during this exercise. The SPCIQ’s mission is to protect people and property when they are endangered by fire or other hazards. The pooling of expertise, skills and resources through good preparation increases our collective ability to deal with extraordinary situations.

The CIUSSSCN is responsible for health during a civil security situation in the Capitale-Nationale region. Thanks to this simulation, it was able to validate the efficiency of the communication channels and the effectiveness of methods for all parties. Also, for the first time in Québec City in this type of exercise, the civil security and emergency measures coordination team, in collaboration with the SPVQ police officers, tested the Rescue Task Force (RTF) care, triage and evacuation method. This method allows paramedics to care for victims more quickly thanks to a technique used by police officers to secure the premises in an active emergency area.

To make the simulation as realistic as possible, members of the Canadian Armed Forces applied makeup to extras to represent injuries of varying severity. This allowed responders to properly test their procedures for triaging and prioritizing injuries.