by The downturn in the oil sector has led to a drop in passenger numbers at McCurdy Sydney Airport.
Six percent fewer passengers travelled through the airport last year, marking the first drop in four years.
Airport CEO Helen MacInnis says the loss of charter flights through Canadian North airlines is behind the slide.
She adds the charter service stopped operating out of Sydney in April because fewer Cape Bretoners are travelling out West to work.
On the positive side, MacInnis says WestJet started offering daily year-round service between Sydney and Halifax, last year.
She adds Air Canada has increased its capacity by 50 per cent this winter by adding a larger, 75-seat plane on the Sydney-to-Toronto route.
MacInnis goes on to say they’re hoping to attract more travellers this year thanks to the low Canadian dollar.