Saint John Airport has entered a new chapter with the appointment of Court Edeburn as President and Chief Executive Officer, a role he officially assumed on December 1. With a career rooted in transportation, travel, and tourism—and a leadership philosophy grounded in community impact—Court brings to YSJ both global experience and a clear local focus.
In this Q&A, Court shares reflections on leadership, community-building, and the future of Saint John Airport as a driver of economic growth, tourism, and regional pride for the Saint John region.
Profile: Court Edeburn
Court Edeburn is an award-winning executive recognized for his unwavering commitment to customer experience, passenger safety, and community engagement. His career spans multiple highly regulated transportation sectors, where he has consistently delivered strong results in safety performance, employee satisfaction, operational excellence, and service quality.
Before joining Saint John Airport (YSJ) as President and CEO, Court served as Vice President of Operations and Chief Safety Officer at Rocky Mountaineer, leading transformative improvements in operational reliability, safety culture, and organizational performance. He previously held several senior leadership roles at Air Canada, including General Manager – Vancouver, General Manager – Central Canada, and Director of Customer Experience – Toronto, overseeing some of the airline’s largest and most complex operations.
In 2023, Court received the Railway Association of Canada’s Passenger Safety Award for developing an innovative, industry-leading safety program that achieved best-in-class results while significantly enhancing employee experience.
At YSJ, Court brings a collaborative, customer-centric, and future-focused leadership approach—one that prioritizes people, partnerships, and the long-term sustainability of the airport as a cornerstone of the Saint John region.
What drew you to the role of CEO at the Saint John Airport, and what excites you most about this opportunity?
Community is integral to everything I do, and finding a place where my family could thrive and be part of a welcoming community was the first major box I needed to check. From the moment I stepped off the airplane, I recognized a warmth and hospitality in almost every person I met.
The next box was ensuring that the role I chose would positively impact other people. At first glance, travel might seem like an odd fit as a major community impactor—until you see air travel as the facilitator of family reunions, grandparents meeting their grandchildren for the first time, region-shaping business meetings, and a gateway for people to see the world. In my experience, travel is a catalyst for changing one’s worldview. Being part of a team that improves and encourages that experience is an honour.
As you settle into Saint John, what has stood out to you about the community or the region so far?
There is a real tenacity to the people here. The region’s history—stretching back centuries through boom-and-bust cycles and Indigenous pre-European culture—has helped create a rich and welcoming environment.
I’ve noticed people striking up conversations with strangers in the grocery store—something I often do myself—and offering help before it’s even asked for. Several people I know here offered support before I had even accepted the role. That kind of hospitality truly stands out, and it’s important to me that my children experience this as they form their own worldviews.
How would you describe your leadership style, and how do you hope it will shape the airport’s culture and direction?
I’ve been called a “reckless optimist” in the past. I look for the good in people and am unafraid to change my views when presented with evidence. I’m a strong believer in applying the scientific method to leadership—blending data and evidence with experience to understand issues at their core.
This approach allows me to focus on people development and engagement while appreciating each team member’s unique worldview and experiences. I try to surround myself with people who have strengths I don’t. My happy place is creating safe, efficient physical and emotional environments and using that foundation to build long-term strategic plans that deliver collaborative and progressive results. I hope to build on the warm, welcoming, and efficient environment we already have at YSJ, ensuring customer experience remains at the forefront of every decision we make.
In your first year, what priorities are top of mind for strengthening the airport’s impact and performance?
As a not-for-profit enterprise, we need to ensure we are serving both community and provincial needs. That largely comes down to adding flight frequency and capacity. We know Saint John can support additional flights, and we need to use data and community-driven efforts to deliver that over the next year.
How do you see the Saint John Airport supporting economic growth, tourism, and talent attraction across the region?
We have strong data that demonstrates the impact a regional airport has on a community—hundreds of millions of dollars in economic benefits, job creation, and social development. Access to the world builds on the foundation we already provide.
Businesses need travel options to attract and retain talent, while tourists need flights to experience the incredible beauty and history we’re fortunate to live among. The regional economy improves dramatically with every additional flight we provide.
What role can the airport play in building stronger connections with local communities and businesses?
The airport is essential. As I mentioned before, travel bridges perceived cultural divides and positively influences one’s view of the world. Growing up in a small rural community in British Columbia, traveling the world changed me for the better and continues to influence my personal and professional decisions.
Being the gateway to those connections, whether newly created or strengthened, is a critical role for the airport.
How are innovation and sustainability influencing your long-term vision for the airport?
I think there are several types of sustainability: environmental, cultural, fiscal, and more. Environmental sustainability is a priority for us. With climate change impacting everything from a micro to a macro scale, we need to ensure our commitment is reflected in every decision we make.
While we have significant work ahead to grow our physical footprint, that growth must be responsible. Cultural sustainability reflects our history, including our First Nations and the various communities within our own. Fiscal sustainability means we must ensure we are always looking towards growth while ensuring we run our organization responsibly. Including many voices drives innovation. We must look at every process or opportunity with curiosity and intent.
Looking ahead five years, what would you like the Saint John community to be saying about their airport?
I want the community to see the airport as a source of pride—one that reflects the determination and hospitality of the region. I want YSJ to once again be a major regional economic development engine and be viewed as vital to the continued growth of our region.
