Winnipeg Airport Authority updates on 2021
The Winnipeg Airport Authority (WAA) reported on the airport’s performance last year at its annual public meeting on Apr. 28. WAA saw the first half of the year as a continuation of 2021, with low passenger traffic due to the pandemic and related travel restrictions. Conditions improved in the latter half of 2021, with 82 per cent of its total passenger traffic for 2021 occurring in the last six months.
Air cargo was a bright spot for WAA, with the cargo sector seeing year-over-year increases in cargo plane landings in each quarter.
“These increases reaffirm WAA’s commitment to invest in the redevelopment of the airport’s cargo area to have the infrastructure our community needs to succeed,” said Nick Hays, President and CEO of WAA. “Work on the multi-phase project is underway and will include a new Multi-tenant Air Cargo Logistics Facility, which is funded in part by the Government of Canada under the National Trade Corridors Fund.”
2021 still saw reduced revenues, with the year seeing just 54 per cent of the revenues seen in 2019.
“Despite the challenges we have faced as an industry, by working together, we have managed to weather the storm and position the airport for future success,” said Hays. “I want to thank the entire team at WAA for all their contributions to get us to this point and for their continued commitment to service excellence.”
Winpak reports Q1 2022 results
Winnipeg’s Winpak Ltd. released its Q1 earnings on Apr. 26, with revenue reaching $276 million. Revenue rose by $51.2 million from the same quarter the year prior, an increase of 22.8 per cent.
Gross profit margins hit 29.5 perc ent of revenue in the first quarter of 2022 – beating the 29.3 percent recorded in Q1 2021. As well, gross profit rose 23.8 per cent from $65.8 million in Q1 2021 to $81.5 million in Q1 2022. Winpak’s cash and cash equivalents balance ended Q1 2022 at $387.1 million, up $9.7 million from the end of 2021.
Black Manitobans Chamber of Commerce officially launches
Apr. 27 saw the official launch of a new organization to support black entrepreneurs and black-owned businesses in Manitoba in the rotunda at the Legislative Building. The new Black Manitobans Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and advocating for black-owned enterprises.
Founded by Zita Somakoko who is the Chamber’s first president, the organization hopes to “level the playing field for all.” Accepting new members now, the new Chamber says there are approximately 500 black-owned businesses in the province.
Callia and Online Business Systems named on 2022 Best Workplaces in Canada list
Callia Flowers and Online Business Systems were featured on the Best Workplaces in Canada list for 2022.
Online Business Systems ranked third on the list for companies with 100-999 employees, and Callia was number 13 for companies with under 50 employees.
The list of Best Workplaces™ in Canada is created by Great Place to Work®, which ranks organizations based on confidential employee feedback and “quality, quantity and effectiveness of the programs and policies which support their employees and corporate culture.”
Canada Border Services resumes in Brandon and Piney Pinecreek
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will resume border services at some airports affected by COVID-19 measures. The CBSA will resume services at Brandon Airport and Piney Pinecreek Airport on May 2, 2022
