Officials cut the ribbon during grand opening celebrations of the new Fixed Base Operator (FBO) terminal at Red Deer Regional Airport on Thursday. (Supplied)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Ribbon Cutting

Red Deer Airport celebrates grand opening of Fixed Base Operator terminal

Nov 22, 2019 | 2:06 PM

Dignitaries gathered at the Red Deer Regional Airport Thursday night to cut the ribbon on the new Fixed Base Operator (FBO) Terminal at YQF.

The grand opening celebration acknowledged key organizations that have contributed to the airport’s growth and also highlighted Tucana Aviation which will operate and manage the recently renovated terminal.

Ben Antifaiff, chair of the board of directors for the Red Deer Regional Airport Authority, says the contract with Tucana is for the company to operate the terminal over the next five years.

“This is one of the steps in our strategic plan, and our strategic plan is designed to achieve economic prosperity in the region and to grow the airport,” he explains. “We’re really excited about this because this now states to the aviation community and particularly the charter community that we’re open for business.”

As Antifaiff explains, charter traffic to central Alberta will benefit greatly from the terminal’s new FBO capabilities.

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“You own an aircraft and you’re landing in Red Deer and you need to refuel, and or you’re doing business and you need a place for the pilot to stay for the day, this is where they would land,” says Antifaiff. “Tucana Aviation will do the refueling and service the aircraft. If there is catering or accommodations or transportation required, Tucana will offer full service to that charter traffic coming in and out of Red Deer.”

(L-R) Graham Ingham – CEO, Red Deer Regional Airport and Ben Antifaiff – Chair, Board of Directors for Red Deer Regional Airport Authority. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

Antifaiff points out though, that charter traffic is more than just private aircraft.

“There’s lots of charter traffic where organizations are moving people from point A to point B,” he explains. “For instance, if you’re moving staff from here to Fort Mac, rather than put them on a bus, or shuttle them to Calgary or Edmonton, you can load them on a plane here and get them on their way. It’s cost-efficient, more convenient and we really believe Tucana is going to offer the service that people will desire.”

Antifaiff adds, Tucana’s presence at YQF will further enhance the airport as an economic generator in central Alberta.

“The more traffic that stops in our airport, and they get off their plane and they come into our communities, they’re going to be spending money while they’re here,” he exclaims. “When they’re flying past us and landing in Calgary and Edmonton, we don’t get a shot at their business.”

Antifaiff acknowledges, however, that scheduled passenger service returning to Red Deer remains part of the airport’s long-term plans as well.

“There are a number of different phases, this is the first phase of that,” says Antifaiff. “The terminal right now as we’ve converted it to a Fixed Base Operation, it’s an insufficient size to attract scheduled passenger service, so we have a plan to grow. There is nothing formal in the works at this point in time, but in my opinion and from my lens, we’re about 18 months away from scheduled passenger service.”

With the installation of Tucana Aviation at Red Deer Regional Airport, Red Deer County council gave first reading to a bylaw on Tuesday that provides Red Deer Regional Airport Authority with a $240,000 loan to purchase an administrative building across the street from the airport terminal at 3800 Airport Drive in Springbrook.

County officials say the term of the loan is for 10 years and has a 2.3 per cent annual interest rate attached, a cost viewed as an investment in both the airport and local economy.

It’s anticipated airport administration will move into its new location as soon as possible.

Elsewhere, Red Deer city council also approved on Monday $1.58 million in capital funding for the Red Deer Regional Airport Authority to help with much-needed Runway 1230 improvements at YQF.

City of Red Deer director of planning Tara Lodewyk says that funding is also subject to matching funds being approved by Red Deer County.