Jason Kenney, Premier of Alberta, stopped by Red Deer Regional Airport on Monday to announce a $7.5 million grant to help upgrade the facility's runway and terminal, among other enhancements. (rdnewsNOW).

By rdnewsNOW Staff

$7.5 Million Grant

Red Deer Regional Airport expansion set to take flight

Feb 28, 2022 | 9:09 PM

Alberta’s government has announced a $7.5-million grant to help expand infrastructure and services at Red Deer Regional Airport.

The $15-million airport expansion project will include a widening of the main runway from 30 meters to 45 meters and strengthening of the main taxiway and apron, as well as constructing a terminal to support new low-cost passenger services.

Officials say these improvements will help the Red Deer Regional Airport attract new passenger and cargo services and offer a wider range of travel options to area residents, increasing the region’s tourism potential. It’s anticipated that more than 100 jobs will be created during construction.

“Central Albertans need a modern, expanded airport that will serve businesses, create jobs and give travellers more choice in airline options. Alberta’s government will make this project happen through this $7.5-million Budget 2022 investment,” said Premier Jason Kenney on Monday.

Government officials say this investment in Alberta’s aviation industry helps the province further diversify the economy and create more jobs, growth and prosperity. The industry employed more than 71,000 people in 2020, and continues to grow, thanks in part to the Alberta Recovery Plan, say government officials.

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“The aviation sector is a vital part of Alberta’s Recovery Plan and this project will be a great boost to the Red Deer and central Alberta economy. This airport funding will attract more investment and new opportunities for residents and businesses,” added Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Transportation.

“My optimism around economic opportunities in central Alberta is growing, thanks to this commitment to our airport. We will be able to diversify our economy while creating good-paying jobs and tourism potential,” exclaimed Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Education, and MLA for Red Deer-North.

“Alberta is an economic powerhouse and the Red Deer airport is strategically centred in the dynamic Calgary-Edmonton corridor. This investment will position our airport to leverage its natural competitive advantages as Alberta and central Alberta prospers and grows,” shared Jason Stephan, MLA for Red Deer-South.

“Being able to expand on the airport’s rich history will improve economic opportunities across the region, attract investment and put people back to work. This grant shows everyone that central Alberta is a key contributor to our economic recovery,” stated Devin Dreeshen, MLA for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake.

“Now more than ever, aviation and aviation-related businesses are actively looking for alternatives to the ever-increasing costs associated with operating out of large airports. With low lease rates, free parking and no airport improvement fees, the Red Deer Regional Airport is well-positioned for future growth,” noted Garett Cupples, board chair, Red Deer Regional Airport.

Graham Ingham, CEO, Red Deer Regional Airport, says there is currently a lot of interest from low cost carriers for flying in and out of Red Deer.

“Red Deer is just a great airport for that type of business. It’s very efficient, quick in and out, low user fees, so it fits that business model really well.”

Ingham also points to a large portion of land available for development on the north end of the airport’s property.

“Our 800,000 square metres we’ve got, we’re looking at a variety of opportunities like cargo, heavy aircraft maintenance and repair, those types of things.”

Ingham says his focus now, is to get agreements in place with some low cost carriers so work can get started on terminal construction.

“We would hope to get done by this fall and start fights as early as mid-November,” said Ingham. “The days of having to travel back and forth to Edmonton and Calgary are hopefully a thing of the past. There’s just tremendous opportunities to support local tourism and we want to assist with economic diversification whenever we can.”

“This expansion will provide huge economic benefits to central Alberta. Red Deer County is appreciative of this important investment from the Alberta government and the continuing commitment to build economic prosperity,” offered Jim Wood, mayor, Red Deer County.

“The Red Deer Regional Airport is a regional amenity that supports the whole of Alberta. This investment translates to not only potential for increased passengers, revenues and regional economic development, but also opportunities to generate employment at a time when the economy and travel industry needs it most,” said Ken Johnston, mayor, City of Red Deer.

Quick facts

• Construction tenders will be issued this month. Work is schedule to begin this spring and conclude in fall 2022.
• Airport improvements include widening the main runway from 30 to 45 metres, strengthening existing taxiways and aprons, and constructing a terminal to support low-cost passenger services.
• The anticipated total cost of the airport expansion is $18 million – with $7.5 million from Alberta’s government.
• Alberta’s aviation, aerospace and logistics industries employed nearly 71,000 people in 2020. These industries contributed $7.2 billion to the province’s GDP in 2020.
• Alberta’s aviation industry has been ranked third in Canada by company size, fourth by number of companies and fourth by GDP contribution in aerospace and defence.
• Alberta’s government created the Strategic Aviation Advisory Council in 2020 to provide expert advice to government on how aviation and aerospace can increase economic development opportunities, expand markets and create jobs in the province.
• Expanding the aviation sector is a key goal of Alberta’s Recovery Plan.

Three low-cost Alberta based-carriers – the recently created Lynx Air, along with new routes added by Swoop and Flair Airlines – are described as strong signs of the province’s growing aviation industry.