Calgary's airport traffic is up so far in 2016 despite the economic downturn, and the new terminal is expected to open in October, according to the CEO of the airport authority.

Garth Atkinson said the number of travellers in January and February was about three per cent higher compared to 2015.

"It's quite surprising, I admit," he told city council Monday during the airport authority's annual update to the municipal government. "We did not expect that."

By comparison, Atkinson said traffic at Edmonton's airport is down about six or seven per cent and the Fort McMurray airport has seen traffic declines closer to 20 per cent.

Part of the reason is that Calgary is a regional hub for air traffic and thus not the first target for cutbacks.

"Sometimes in recessions, air carriers will first cut at the spokes," Atkinson said.

The new international terminal at the Calgary International Airport was initially slated to open in 2015 but was struck by delays and ended up a year behind schedule. (Calgary International Airport)

But he added Calgary's airport does appear to be more resilient than it has been during previous downturns that struck the city.

"The city is different than '81 to '83," Atkinson said.

"Despite what people say, it is more diversified … and I think we're seeing some of that diversification in this downturn compared to earlier ones."

New terminal to open in October

The airport is also expected to open its new and long-awaited international terminal in October, Atkinson said.

That puts the project about a year behind schedule from its initially planned opening date. The authority revealed last year it would not meet that target, but said the project was still on budget.

The $1.6-billion terminal will span five levels, with some two million square feet and 24 gates.

The new concourse is for passengers heading to the United States and other international destinations.

It will also include two central retail plazas and a new hotel, the Marriott, which is set to open before the terminal in September.