Munro ignored in Hamilton airport efforts, councillors say

Hamilton’s airport is named after John C. Munro, but city councillors worry that the name is getting lost in the shuffle.

Councillors told Frank Scremin, CEO and president of the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport, at a meeting Wednesday that when the airport promotes itself, Munro’s name isn’t prominent enough.

In the 2012 report Scremin presented Wednesday, for example, Munro’s name could only be found in a background image. Otherwise, the airport was referred to as the Hamilton International Airport.

"Other airports have name recognition — Logan in Boston, O’Hare in Chicago," Coun. Tom Jackson told Scremin. "I don’t understand why Munro can’t be part and parcel of that.

"I sincerely leave this with you. Your predecessor gave us assurances that the name would not be lost."

Munro helped first national medicare program

John Carr Munro was a prominent political figure in the city who died in 2003 at age 72.

He was a Hamilton MP who helped implement Canada’s first national medicare program and McMaster’s School of Medicine, as well as growth to Hamilton Harbour. He also played an integral role in establishing the airport as a regional transportation hub.

"John C. Munro is remembered for his countless contributions as an impassioned, perseverant leader who firmly believed in the City of Hamilton and its future growth potential," the airport says on its website. "The John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport is proud to bear his name and hopes to carry on his legacy for years to come."

But Coun. Bernie Morelli said he wanted to see more evidence of that.

"This is not the first time I’ve read reports from the airport where it’s Hamilton International Airport on every page," said Morelli, who asked whether in future marketing efforts, the "recognition will be more evident."

Scremin said the airport will take the comments under advisement.

Hopes to attract U.S. carriers

Also during the presentation, Scremin discussed the airport’s efforts at increasing its passenger base. It has fluctuated over the past 10 years, ranging from more than a million passengers in 2003 to 332,000 passengers in 2011.

With only two low-cost Canadian carriers, and low-cost U.S. carriers not currently operating in Canada, it’s a tough market, Scremin said.

The airport is looking at how it can position itself to offer unique services, he said. It also hopes to attract the low-cost U.S. carriers, who Scremin anticipates will operate in Canada in the next three to five years. The airport also hopes to offer flights to specific international destinations.

Market research this year shows that a wider choice of destinations would draw more passengers to the airport, Scremin said. Other motivators include cheap flights, better flight times and an increase in direct flights.

In regards to cargo activity, though, Hamilton’s airport is third in the country in terms of tonnage transported. The John C. Munro airport saw 85,145 tonnes in 2011, sitting behind Lester B. Pearson airport in Toronto with 339,065 and Vancouver International with 186,385.