In the final two months of 2024, CCIS’s airport reception program team was at the Calgary International Airport to welcome 740 newcomers on two charter flights from Addis Ababa.
These flights, which stopped over in Rome, landed on November 6 and December 19, carrying 358 and 355 passengers respectively—most of whom were Privately Sponsored Refugees (PSRs).
Our Resettlement and Integration team, with the help of dedicated volunteers and interpreters, set up a base at the airport to support these arrivals. Some newcomers spent a night at an overnight accommodation before returning to the airport to continue their journey to final destinations across Canada, while others traveled within Alberta via reserved buses and taxis.
An important part of this effort was our collaboration with the Eritrean Canadian Community Association of Calgary (ECCAC)—one of the most prominent community sponsors—to meet the unique needs of newly arrived refugees.
Through this partnership, many clients have been able to connect with us for settlement services. Our team creates intake files and provides orientation for PSRs, including those sponsored by ECCAC. In turn, ECCAC offers venue space and logistical support to ensure these newcomers feel at home and receive the guidance they need to start their new lives in Calgary.
Learn more about our robust port of entry/airport reception services for all newcomers here: https://ccisab.ca/poe-airport-reception-program/
