I'm proud to say that we're the fastest-growing airport in North America. Almost 600,000 passengers flew from Hamilton last year, an outstanding increase of 80% thanks to the market stimulation being created by the entrance of low-cost air carriers. The federal government has recognized the growing consumer demand for low-cost travel and enabled new entrants to our market.
We are also Canada's largest overnight cargo airport. We facilitate the movement of goods across the country, into northern communities, across the border and into global markets. In 2017, our cargo grew 14%, a result of e-commerce activity and high-value and time-sensitive goods such as pharmaceuticals, perishables and automotive parts. Our partners are extensive and they chose Hamilton for its strategic location, acting as a key link between the ground network and global markets. Our region is broad. With a 12-hour drive, you can reach key markets such as New York, Chicago and Boston.
Growth creates demand for aviation-related services. Maintenance facilities are expanding and in need of a highly skilled yet constrained workforce. Developers in industries such as aerospace manufacturing are signalling interest to build on our land. Emerging opportunities are attributed to the fact that we are part of the GTHA, a population of 9.2 million people, yet disadvantaged by having only one major mobility hub, unlike U.S. metropolitan areas with similar population sizes that have at least two.
We are part of the Southern Ontario Airport Network, a group of the most commercially significant airports in southern Ontario. More than 110 million passengers and over one million tonnes of cargo will flow through this region by 2043. These opportunities align to our vision—to be recognized by the world as the best global gateway in Canada for affordable travel and goods movement.
Three key matters, with your support, will enable our growth potential.
First is the need for adequate transportation infrastructure. Increased activity and aging infrastructure exist in Hamilton, and airfield rehabilitations are costly. Our 24-7 operation supports diversion activity from Toronto airports, adding further pressure on our infrastructure to support the region. Moving people and goods efficiently through security and border crossings is challenging, and commitment is needed from CATSA and CBSA to reduce bottlenecks. Infrastructure must be viewed as a key government priority by further supporting growth opportunities.
Second is the need for reducing costs and relaxing rules. U.S. tax structures are much lower and compete with those in Canada. Each year, five million Canadians drive through U.S. borders to fly with low-cost carriers. Let's repatriate these travellers back to Canada.
Finally, there is a need for integrated intermodal connectivity, a viable ground network system that links our airports to all markets. The mid-peninsula highway would traverse the central part of Niagara region parallel to the Queen Elizabeth Way and connect to Highway 401 to provide congestion relief and unlock a key trade corridor.
As governance is split between municipalities and the province, it is difficult to implement plans to address congestion and coordinate improvements. Truck drivers will say that it takes them three to nine hours to cross the border. This is costly. Highway congestion challenges the timely and efficient movement of goods by truck, where minutes do matter.
The government understands the importance of Canada's trade corridors, which are key to the success of doing business in the global marketplace. I want to commend its leadership.
The Hamilton airport is a critical link in the supply chain of Canada. As low-cost travel emerges and cargo activity exceeds global forecasts, some may view our recent successes as an experiment. However, since 1996, under private management of an airport that was deemed surplus by the government, we continue to be a creator of jobs and an economic engine for the region.
Together with our partners, who have invested and committed millions in facilities and training for the future to ensure success and seize the enormous market opportunities, the role of the government must be investment in its vital transportation network, very much inclusive of the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport, as underscored by our address today.
Thank you.