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Edmonton International Airport (EIA) generated significant growth along diverse business lines in 2017, serving more than 7.8 million passengers and moving forward with many impressive cargo, commercial development and infrastructure projects that will benefit our local and regional economy.
“EIA is focused on stimulating long-term growth for the Edmonton Metro Region. We attracted hundreds of millions of dollars in private investment last year in many different lines of business, demonstrating strong confidence in EIA and our regional economy,” said Tom Ruth, EIA president and CEO.
“Our passenger numbers have grown, particularly in domestic and transatlantic-international flights, as travellers continued to support our non-stop flights enabling us to drive regional business growth.”
Passenger service
EIA also celebrated multiple new air services offerings in 2017. Air Canada announced daily non-stop service from Edmonton to San Francisco, beginning May 1, 2018.
WestJet began new non-stop weekly service between Edmonton and Huatulco, Mexico, as well as more flights from Edmonton to Abbotsford, Kelowna, Victoria and Cancun.
In June Central Mountain Air started non-stop service between Edmonton and Prince George, B.C. six days a week. Flair Airlines celebrated its one-year anniversary at EIA and announced a major expansion of services, including using EIA as the airline’s main connecting hub.
Overall passenger counts grew by 3.8 per cent over 2016’s numbers. Domestic travel increased by 6.9 per cent over the previous year. EIA maintained its international traveller numbers, with the region continuing to support the non-stop services of Icelandair to Reykjavik, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines to Amsterdam and the seasonal WestJet service to London-Gatwick.
Significantly, the number of inbound international travellers using these flights to travel to Edmonton increased over 20 per cent. US travel experienced a net 4.0 per cent decrease in 2017.
Commercial development
Commercial development at EIA supports air service by attracting new passengers and services, and by providing revenue that is reinvested into the airport. In addition to that, new development at EIA will lead to the creation of more than 2,000 new jobs, directly impacting the local economy. With more than $750 million of private investment in EIA, the trend of strong development continued in 2017.
EIA completed a major road upgrade including additional lanes between the Queen Elizabeth II Highway to Airport Road, additional signal lights and lanes to the site of the Premium Outlet Collection and Costco at EIA.
Ivanhoé Cambridge and Simon Property Group announced that the opening date for their Premium Outlet Collection at EIA will be May 2, 2018. Costco confirmed that it will open a new warehouse at EIA in late 2018.
Canadian North announced that it will open a Manufacture, Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MMRO) facility in its hangar at EIA. The new facility will create new jobs, attract new business to Alberta and fuel momentum in Edmonton’s growing aerospace sector.
Aurora Cannabis continued construction of an 800,000-square-foot facility at EIA, which will be the world’s largest and most advanced medical cannabis production facility.
Horseracing Alberta announced Century Casinos Inc. has been selected to develop a new mile-long race track onsite, including food and entertainment facilities with slot machines.
Red Cup Distillery has taken possession of its new facility at EIA and is expected to be operational in March 2018.
K5 Investment Group began construction of a new, five-storey, 135 room Fairfield Inn by Marriott hotel at EIA, which will open in early 2019.
Dogtopia has entered into an agreement with EIA to open a new dog daycare, boarding and spa facility. The airport expects this to open in the fall of 2018.
Cargo
On the ground, multiple new warehousing facilities provide over 250,000 square feet of additional capacity.
Aeroterm opened its new $10 million logistics distribution centre at EIA, including 50,000 square feet of airside flight kitchen and air cargo support facilities. Tenants in this new facility include Gate Gourmet, ATS and Swissport.
Construction is underway on the new, 25,000-square-foot freight forwarder building for Runway Developments. The facility is for mixed-use cargo, with leasing opportunities available for customs brokers, logistics companies and freight forwarders. The building will be ready for occupancy in Q1, 2018 and opens with committed tenants, Flying Fresh Air Freight, Farrow and Livingston International.
In the air, mainstay carriers, Air Canada, AF/KLM, Canadian North, Cargojet, DHL, FedEx, Icelandair executed strong performance and their services offerings were supplemented by Nippon Cargo Airlines, Korean Air Cargo and Atlas Air operating multiple trans pacific and transatlantic charter services continuing the expanding role of EIA as an international cargo centre.
All EIA cargo facilities operate within the Port Alberta Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ), reducing trade barriers and enhancing access to key Canadian markets. EIA is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week–with no curfews, operational restrictions or slot restrictions.
Technology and innovation
EIA is investing in a dedicated Digital Unit to collaborate with airlines and local technology and innovation partners to create the next generation of convenience, efficiency, relaxation and security for travellers. Some of this technology is already at work at EIA.
Paperless travel is now possible as airlines offer digital boarding passes, which are recognized by the Canadian Air Transportation Security Agency (CATSA), United States Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) have automated passport control kiosks, and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has primary inspection kiosks (PIKs).
The new PIK process is streamlining border security process and reducing wait times by allowing passengers to complete their declaration forms from a paperless kiosk or from the convenience of a mobile app. EIA and Pattison Outdoor Advertising installed a Samsung 4K digital LED screen.
The Alberta Aerospace and Technology Centre at EIA expanded by adding a number of advanced technology companies in 2017. New partners included Promethean Labs, satellite technology startup, Aerium Analytics drone operations (including the Robird robotic falcon), Absolute Combustion, Alberta Centre for Advanced Microprocessor and Nano-technology Products, and the Alberta Motor Transport Association, who will build a new training facility, driving simulator and track.
Community, art and culture
EIA supports more than 90 causes, events and organizations in the Edmonton Metro Region and surrounding areas. A few highlights from 2017 include sponsoring events such as the children’s tent at Servus Heritage Festival, the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival, Ice on Whyte Festival, the Make-A-Wish Foundation Calendar of Wishes and the Ford Men’s World Curling Championships.
For the first time, EIA hosted a National Indigenous Peoples’ Day cultural showcase, featuring dance, music and art. EIA’s live music program continues to be a crowd pleaser as well as the permanent and rotational art program.
EIA is also grateful for the generosity of the surrounding communities and partner businesses who supported the Seventh Annual EIA Charity Golf Classic, which raised $233,500 for Youth Empowerment and Support Service, Riseup Society Alberta and the Leduc and District Food Bank. This is the seventh year that EIA has held its Annual Charity Golf Classic, raising a combined total of more than $1,000,000.
EIA also partnered with local writers to bring Edmonton’s short stories to the world through the first short story dispenser in a North American airport. EIA launched the dispenser with 78 local authors involved in the partnership, which now boasts well over 100.
The dispenser is unique in that EIA is the only Short Edition dispenser in the world that distributes local pieces, showcase the innovation of EIA and partners in coming up with this concept.
Cooperation accord
The biggest community partnership in 2017 was the City of Edmonton, Leduc County and the City of Leduc partnering to help EIA reach its potential to grow the region’s economy. The Inter-jurisdiction Cooperation Accord is a framework that acknowledges and prioritizes EIA’s development as a regional economic driver.
Villeneuve Airport
Villeneuve Airport also grew in 2017, helping to drive the rural economy. The aircraft tie down area was expanded and moved from the south side of the airport, to the east.
Nineteen more tie down stalls were added, bringing the total at Villeneuve to 54 stalls. This not only allows more tie downs, but also makes possible new development in the south part of the airport. BDK Properties completed construction of a 14,000 square-foot hangar and Propworks Propeller Systems completed another, 4,000 square-foot hangar at Villeneuve.
The Edmonton Airshow, held at Villeneuve Airport in August, was attended by a record number 40,000 people. The spectacular, two-day show included the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds, as well as dozens of other performers and displays.
Villeneuve Airport will host the event again on Aug. 17, 18 and 19, 2018.
