[Coldrsx]

One of the airlines expected to add YYC on a fulltime basis is Mexicana.Likely with A319's or 318's from Mexico city with several flights per week although I am not sure about daily...YEG is also in the companies plans...The IATA site has some info on it.


good to hear for both YYC and YEG, great destination and connection point.

[Aegis]

Hey, can anyone tell me the best spot to watch planes take off & land? By best, I mean the closest you can get without being engaged by security.

[krazycanuck]

There are a few good places to watch take off's and landings. The first one is obvious, just off mcknight by the Mohawk, there is a big parking lot that alot of people watch from. Another one that is a little more off the beaten track is along the road that runs parallel to Barlow and to the west. Another one is up by the Fedex/Purolator buildings on Aero Drive over by Deerfoot mall, although with all the new construction up there it might not be such a good spot anymore.

[Bigtime]

So has anyone else caught the news about the '3 Amigos' summit probably being held in Kananaskis this coming June? (Harper, Bush, and Mexican dude)

So I guess if it is being hosted there again we'll be in for the crazy security and shut down airspace again. But on the plus side YYC will get to see AF1 and backup, plus multiple C5's and big ol'huge ass helicopters again! :tup:

I think the tentative dates are for about June 27th-29th.

Get your cameras ready! :D

[walli]

Airport finally published November passenger statistics. Novermber was up a whopping 14+% !!!

So we are at well over 10.3M without December. Looking at historical December numbers and the trend, we'll probably close out at 11.25M for 2006. Wow!

http://www.calgaryairport.com/fts/getfile.cfm?FID=8070

[IntotheWest]

Airport finally published November passenger statistics. Novermber was up a whopping 14+% !!!

So we are at well over 10.3M without December. Looking at historical December numbers and the trend, we'll probably close out at 11.25M for 2006. Wow!

http://www.calgaryairport.com/fts/getfile.cfm?FID=8070

Montreal was expecting 11.3 million this year, and it looks like YVR may only gain a few 100 thousand over the record 2005 - 16.8 million (above 15 million since 1998 though).

How long is YYC expected to grow by that amount???

[marts1x]

Airport finally published November passenger statistics. Novermber was up a whopping 14+% !!!

So we are at well over 10.3M without December. Looking at historical December numbers and the trend, we'll probably close out at 11.25M for 2006. Wow!

http://www.calgaryairport.com/fts/getfile.cfm?FID=8070

December should be around 15 percent as well... and transborder and international are driving the growth. 25 percent growth for both is amazing

[freeweed]

So has anyone else caught the news about the '3 Amigos' summit probably being held in Kananaskis this coming June? (Harper, Bush, and Mexican dude)

So I guess if it is being hosted there again we'll be in for the crazy security and shut down airspace again. But on the plus side YYC will get to see AF1 and backup, plus multiple C5's and big ol'huge ass helicopters again! :tup:

I think the tentative dates are for about June 27th-29th.

Get your cameras ready! :D

Fuck. Mental note - avoid hiking in late June. Maybe a trip to Jasper is in order.

I really wish these asshats would go somewhere else.

[mersar]

It will be interesting to see if they do what they did last time, and position a SAM installation on top of the Cochrane hill if it does happen. I recall there was a decent amount of opposition to it (from the landowners around where it was put mostly), but fortunately we've had enough British army vehicles in the area due to their training base they used to run out west of town that the fascination with military stuff isn't that great anymore.

[Bokimon]

So has anyone else caught the news about the '3 Amigos' summit probably being held in Kananaskis this coming June? (Harper, Bush, and Mexican dude)

So I guess if it is being hosted there again we'll be in for the crazy security and shut down airspace again. But on the plus side YYC will get to see AF1 and backup, plus multiple C5's and big ol'huge ass helicopters again! :tup:

I think the tentative dates are for about June 27th-29th.

Get your cameras ready! :D


SPOOGE SPOOGE SPOOGE!! Oh my god I am ridiculously excited!
Air Force One to Return!
This time I will prepare better and take like a week off work so I can spend time at the airport enjoying the sights of both Presidential 747s and the military transports. 2002.. wow such a long time ago! Vincente Fox was here September 2005 and I was there to see him. Hopefully this event will also include some invited guests from other nationalities but who knows.
During the event while they had snipers and security around the site, there was only 1 breach of security. That was caused by a large grizzily bear coming within a few hundred meters from the premises. It was tranquilized and trucked away.

There was also an AWACS patrolling over the Kcountry and Calgary area for the 3-4 days securing the airspace.

Regarding the spotting at the airport.
http://www.contrailsphotography.com/spottingyyc.html

Use this, it will greatly help you get around an airport liek Calgary.

11+ million for 2006 is amazing! Again I saw as long as our economy is booming especially the office/business sectors (office towers, leasing crunch) the airport will follow suit. ANd results are already showing like BA and these numbers.

Aeromexico is flying Fridays and Sundays but is somewhat sporadic, American Trans Air flys in Saturdays using their ultra stretch 757-300s from Phoenix and Liberia.
Mexicana is good news, they flew here before for charters in 2000. RAF is basically year round with their guzzlier L1011s and VC10s, YYC is the only airport in North America which sees these two types at a regular basis. We are lucky.

[Bokimon]

oh ya, I too saw the news too about the 3 amigo summit at the K Country.
Amazingly that thought of the airplanes was never in my mind, I just shrugged meh and did not take is seriously until Bigtime mentioned about the planes.
Its going to be good, more headlines and world attention to Cowtown, they will soon see a city filled with new construction of offices and condos like Dubai but at smaller scale.

Exciting times keep getting better!

[Aegis]

SPOOGE SPOOGE SPOOGE!! Oh my god I am ridiculously excited!
Air Force One to Return!

Is it really necessary to spooge of this? I mean... being excited is one thing.. but.. that's too much

[Bigtime]

Is it really necessary to spooge of this? I mean... being excited is one thing.. but.. that's too much

You're cleary not a big aviation enthusiast like Bo and myself.

I was just in Germany over the weekend and made a point of going to one of the spots in Frankfurt to watch 747's/777's and other heavies come roaring over my head as they came in to land.

[IntotheWest]

You're cleary not a big aviation enthusiast like Bo and myself.

I was just in Germany over the weekend and made a point of going to one of the spots in Frankfurt to watch 747's/777's and other heavies come roaring over my head as they came in to land.

I can relate somewhat - as a car enthusiast, I took trips to Stuttgart, Wolfsburg, and Munich before anything else - including Oktoberfest (which was fortunately in Munich as well :-)

Don't we have 777's landing in Calgary now?? AF1 and entourage would be cool to see...

[Bigtime]

I can relate somewhat - as a car enthusiast, I took trips to Stuttgart, Wolfsburg, and Munich before anything else - including Oktoberfest (which was fortunately in Munich as well :-)

Don't we have 777's landing in Calgary now?? AF1 and entourage would be cool to see...

We sure do have the 777 service now, British Airways is bringing in the 777-200 from LHR 5 times a week.

AF1 and its entourage are always sweet, especially the big C-5 Galaxy transports that bring in a lot of the set up equipment.

[Bokimon]

Seeing AF1 will be like seeing the Encana design release after months of anticipation. That type of excitement and even arousal (chocolate type of arousal ;) ) which will keep me pointed to that plane at all times.
Its supporting cast will be just as impressive like the Galaxies and those huge helicopters.. The Super Stallion..

Oh ya, and ATA now flies here each Saturday from PHX and mexico using 757-300s and Aeromexico is still around Fridays and Sundays.

[freeweed]

Too bad AF1 also means its usual occupant will be coming.

The plane I like. The weeks of OMG TERRORISTS paranoia I could do without. Ah well, at least I won't be wearing a turban when I get kicked out of the "security zone" around K-country while hiking.

[marts1x]

Final pax numbers are in for 2006 with an astounding 11,272,530 making for a 11.07% increase

http://www.calgaryairport.com/fts/getfile.cfm?FID=8168

[skrish]

11.2 million, not bad. I wonder if YYC will maintain this growth next year.

[Claeren]

I just had a NIGHTMARE experience with Air Canada and will do everything in my power to NEVER fly with them again.

YYZ-YYC, 7 hour delay, 40 minutes at a time.

At 11pm ALL of the Air Canada service staff LEFT the airport. They left ~1000 stranded passengers, some there for 2 days, alone in terminal one. About 200 of us literally stormed the main entrance (fighting through security) and found ONE air canada guy who was leaving the airport - he told us (including those who had been there for 2 days and needed new connections worked out) to "write customer service, they should respond within 8 weeks".

HOLY SHIT.

At just before 11pm they kicked out a FULL Maple Leaf lounge of first class passengers to wait the remaining ~6 hours for their flights. How can they do that to the CORE of their profit base? At 10:55 they literally started hearding people out and said they MUST be out within 5 minutes. No warning even!

It was disgusting. I have never experienced anything remotely close in my history as a consumer. I would say easily that i hate Air Canada MORE than i hate Apex Land / Union Square Condo people - and that is saying a LOT.



Claeren.

[Riise]

I just had a NIGHTMARE experience with Air Canada and will do everything in my power to NEVER fly with them again.

You sound so surprised... Sit down and think about it for second, although this may have never happened before is it really beyond them? I hope this Open Skies Agreement will allow BA to become our major airline. I'd be happy with BA handling International flights while Westjet and co. take care of things domestically.

[IntotheWest]

I just had a NIGHTMARE experience with Air Canada and will do everything in my power to NEVER fly with them again.

Claeren.

Wow - that might top all my bad experience with them...despite disliking them, our company "prefers" that we fly them, and besides I was collecting Aeroplan travelling every week for 3 years. But, yes, it is painful...as I mentioned on the other AC thread, customer relationships, and the "customer experience" has never been at the forefront of their thinking. to those that have flown Westjet - this is the (not so) secret to their success, not "cheaper" fare that everyone thinks.

Being kicked out of the lounge would have ended my travelling with them though...for sure.

[Bokimon]

Hilarious^^

No doubt a killer suck time for you though which is rough to hear.
I do hear horror stories related to delays, flight bumps, luggage woes, attendant lack o care etc with Air Canada.
It seems a few times a month these things are popping up.
WestJet on the other hand... praises praises and more praises.
never ever had problems with them. One day I left my camera on board and they parked the plane at the hangar so i went in there and into the airplane and got it no problem and the crews were super nice.

[IntotheWest]

You sound so surprised... Sit down and think about it for second, although this may have never happened before is it really beyond them?

No, stuff like this ALWAYS happens with them - trust me. Being kicked out of the lounge would be the end though for sure...it is more than just "first class" customers, it is their most frequent travellers - "Elite" and "Super-Elite" customers. Unfortunately, with unions and no provisions for OT (I believe), they'd rather annoy the customers (and risk losing them) then pay the one or two required to keep the lounge open.

And that's just the lounge...

[YYCguys]

Wow! That's awful! I am so glad you made it back to Calgary safe and sound. How did you finally get back here? Were you one of the ones stranded for 2 days?

On a side note, I did not hear anything about this in the news and I keep my ear pretty close to the ground in the aviation biz. What was the was cause of this walkout?

PM me if you don't want to hash it out in the public forum.

Cheers!
Your friendly neighborhood YYCguy


I just had a NIGHTMARE experience with Air Canada and will do everything in my power to NEVER fly with them again.

YYZ-YYC, 7 hour delay, 40 minutes at a time.

At 11pm ALL of the Air Canada service staff LEFT the airport. They left ~1000 stranded passengers, some there for 2 days, alone in terminal one. About 200 of us literally stormed the main entrance (fighting through security) and found ONE air canada guy who was leaving the airport - he told us (including those who had been there for 2 days and needed new connections worked out) to "write customer service, they should respond within 8 weeks".

HOLY SHIT.

At just before 11pm they kicked out a FULL Maple Leaf lounge of first class passengers to wait the remaining ~6 hours for their flights. How can they do that to the CORE of their profit base? At 10:55 they literally started hearding people out and said they MUST be out within 5 minutes. No warning even!

It was disgusting. I have never experienced anything remotely close in my history as a consumer. I would say easily that i hate Air Canada MORE than i hate Apex Land / Union Square Condo people - and that is saying a LOT.



Claeren.

[Claeren]

Wow! That's awful! I am so glad you made it back to Calgary safe and sound. How did you finally get back here? Were you one of the ones stranded for 2 days?

On a side note, I did not hear anything about this in the news and I keep my ear pretty close to the ground in the aviation biz. What was the was cause of this walkout?

PM me if you don't want to hash it out in the public forum.

Cheers!
Your friendly neighborhood YYCguy


I wasn't one of them, but there were plenty who were. A lot of people had missed their connections the night before (like 36 hours before) and were still waiting to depart on their 'make-up' connections.

We eventually flew home on an OLD 767, and arrived at ~7am instead of ~midnight. And it was on Sunday night/Monday morning - so a lot of business travellers were really screwed for Monday morning.

Work associates were in the Maple Leaf lounge (at least until they got kicked out) and REALLY enjoyed paying literally 10 TIMES as much ($149 v. $1500+) to sit with all of us common folk!! lol... (or should i cry?)


Claeren.

[Claeren]

Hey,

I was looking at some stats on planes and something didn't add up and i know someone here can explain why!

The 'Cargo Capacity' never seems to add up with the number of passengers.

So for example a E190 has ~90 passengers but only ~3500lbs of cargo capacity. Discounting the people and the carry-on luggage, that still seems awfully tight... ??



Claeren.

[Bokimon]

KOREAN AIR TO YYC STARTING JULY!!

YEEEESSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Boeing 777 at 3x weekly service!!
More to come!

Unfreaking Belivable! I always knew that its cargo stint at 2004 was not just a one off thing. First BA connects us to Europe and now KE to Asia. How fitting for a city like ours to get the likes of two major global airlines.

[Claeren]

That is wicked!! Now i can get to Haad Yuan in two flight segments instead of three!!! Considering the lapse between connections and the hassle of multiple borders it is a pretty big deal...


Claeren.

[Riise]

Sweet!!! It's a flight I wanted YYC to get even though I'd probably wouldn't utilize it but this is still freakin awesome! Thanks for the heads up Bokimon!

[Plus15]

Isn't it just summer charters, traffic originating from Korea only? Its not sched, as far as I know.

[YYCguys]

Isn't it just summer charters, traffic originating from Korea only? Its not sched, as far as I know.

Yes, you are correct. It's basically the same as the charters from Japan we've had the past couple of summers. Sorry to burst your bubble guys!

[Riise]

Airport Launches First Ever Non-Stop Service For Korean Tourists
Feb, 09 2007 - 3:10 PM

CALGARY/AM770CHQR - The Calgary Airport Authority has negotiated a deal with Korean Air for non-stop charter service, but it's only available for Korean tourists.
Vice President of the Calgary Airport Authority Julien DeSchutter tells CHQR News they've been negotiating this deal for the better part of 18 months.

"It's been a partnership between Travel Alberta, ourselves, and the Canadian Tourism Commission."

He says 3 flights per week will be scheduled non-stop from Seoul, starting in July.

"Koreans love to travel. They love Canada. They love the product we've got here."

Source: AM770 Website (http://www.770chqr.com/news/news_local.cfm?cat=7428763912&rem=58135&red=80176323aPBIny&wids=410&gi=1&gm=news_local.cfm)

So it will be just a charter, but at least it's a start! :tup:

[GoflamesGo]

Now we need a direct flight to South America. Maybe Taca from Guatemala city to conect to the rest of south america. or an airline from Brazil. or Lan Chile, there are a ton of chileans here in calgary.

[Bigtime]

KOREAN AIR TO YYC STARTING JULY!!

YEEEESSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Boeing 777 at 3x weekly service!!
More to come!

Unfreaking Belivable! I always knew that its cargo stint at 2004 was not just a one off thing. First BA connects us to Europe and now KE to Asia. How fitting for a city like ours to get the likes of two major global airlines.

Did ya need a smoke after that Bo? :D

Great news that we have attracted another summer charter destination, will ANA or JAL be running theirs again this year? I can't help but think that this is a logical progression towards us getting some sort of scheduled service to the far east. Perhaps even starting with something that is only 3x weekly or less even.

On another note, 8 days until my BA 777 adventure to get me over to India. :tup:

[Greygor]

Airport fee hike cleared for summer season
Click here to find out more!


Article Tools





*


Lisa Schmidt, Calgary Herald

Published: Thursday, February 22, 2007

A fee hike by the Calgary Airport Authority means air travellers will pay more to fly out of the city starting this summer.
Starting June 1st, the airport authority will raise its airport improvement fee another $5 to $20 per flight for all domestic and international flights. The charge for flights to Edmonton, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and Lloydminster will rise $5 to $15 per passenger.
It’s the second time in three years the airport has raised the fees, originally put into place a decade ago to help fund major airport upgrades and expansions.
The latest increase puts Calgary on the same level as Toronto with the highest airport improvement charge. Toronto also charges $8 for connecting passengers.
Alberta’s booming economy has helped fuel higher demand for air travel in and out of Calgary’s airport, where traffic has grown more than 40 per cent in the past four years.
Now Canada’s fastest growing airport, the facility saw more than 11 million passengers pass through its gates last year, an 11 per cent increase.
Airport officials also said the city’s current building boom has pushed up construction costs for current and upcoming expansion projects.
“Really it’s just math,” said Garth Atkinson, chief executive of the airport authority.
“We have a very high construction cost environment and we have growth that’s expected to continue for the foreseable future. We have to provide the infrastructure or business won’t get done.”
The airport collected about $53 million from the fees in 2006. The new funds will bring in another $18 million annually.
The fee has quadrupled since it was first instituted in 1997 to pay for a major expansion of the airport’s terminals and runways, as well as roads and parking.
The terminal has doubled in size since 1992 but still faces a crunch during peak periods, especially when it comes to customs, security and parking.
“We thought we had 10 years of capacity in a normal growth scenario,” said Atkinson. “We’ve pretty just have to keep building just to keep up.”
Construction is to begin in the next three years on a multi-floor extension to concourse B/C, used to connect passengers to U.S. cities, Europe, Mexico and Caribbean holiday destinations.
It is the largest single project ever undertaken inside the terminal, and is part of a 10-year plan to overhaul the airport. Future upgrades include a $300-million north-south runway, thousands of extra parking stalls and an expansion of the airport’s air cargo and freight facilities.

lschmidt@theherald.canwest.com

[YYCguys]

Lisa Schmidt, Calgary Herald

Published: Thursday, February 22, 2007

...Construction is to begin in the next three years on a multi-floor extension to concourse B/C, used to connect passengers to U.S. cities, Europe, Mexico and Caribbean holiday destinations....

lschmidt@theherald.canwest.com

awww...I was hoping it would start this year. or the next! That part of the airport is so dark and dingy!

[freeweed]

awww...I was hoping it would start this year. or the next! That part of the airport is so dark and dingy!

If it makes you feel any better, it's safe to say that the airport will be undergoing continual construction for the next 10-15 years at least, barring $15 oil of course. Even without the HUGE expansion planned, there's seemingly a million projects on the go right now. The arrivals area at gate D (Westjet) seems to be under construction AGAIN as we speak.

YYC is beginning to feel like a major US hub. Always something new, even if you visit several times per year. :tup:

[Riise]

YYC is beginning to feel like a major US hub. Always something new, even if you visit several times per year. :tup:

Or like the MGM Grand in Vegas, is that place ever finished?

[walli]

Looks like the trend of passenger increases at the airport is continuing. January 2007 numbers were 10.78% more than in 2006, which were 9.21% more than in 2005, which in turn were 13.19% more than in 2005.

[OVERANDOUT]

Air Canada has announced that they are adding two new routes this summer at YYC : Calgary - Seattle and Calgary - Prince George. Excellent news!


CALGARY, March 13 /CNW Telbec/
Air Canada Press Release
--------

From Calgary, Air Canada will add additional non-stop flights during the
summer peak for double daily service to: Halifax, Comox, Yellowknife, and New
York (JFK). Service to Montreal will increase to four daily and flights to
Saskatoon will increase to five daily.
The new Calgary to Seattle flights will depart Calgary at 09:00 and at
18:00, arriving in Seattle at 09:30 and 18:30 respectively. Flights will
depart Seattle at 10:00 and at 19:00, arriving back in Calgary at 12:20 and
21:20 respectively. Flights have been timed to offer convenient connections in
Calgary to and from Air Canada's extensive domestic schedule and to London
Heathrow. This new route complements existing daily flights from both Toronto
and Vancouver to Seattle.
The new Calgary to Prince George flights will depart Calgary at 12:20,
arriving in Prince George at 12:35. Flights will depart Prince George at
14:15, arriving in Calgary at 16:30. This new route complements existing daily
service from Vancouver to Prince George.

[excel]

Does Horizon fly Calgary - Seattle, Calgary - Portland?

[tuffyy]

YYC-SEA yes,YYC-PDX nope...I find it hard to believe AC will do well on the YYC-SEA route using the CRJ-200 when they are up against QX CRJ-700's and Alaska with a 737-900.I have flown on the CRJ-200 and its not a comfortable airplane.But only time will tell...

[BlueFusion]

On YYZNews.com it said that with the start of the new YYC-YXS and YYC-SEA routes, that the YYC-YXX route will get the axe effective May 30th. Looks like WS has a very loyal customer base in the Fraser Valley that AC could not penetrate.

[JBinCalgary]

good news about the flights to seattle, i got there every year for football!

[Rusty van Reddick]

YYC-SEA yes,YYC-PDX nope...I find it hard to believe AC will do well on the YYC-SEA route using the CRJ-200 when they are up against QX CRJ-700's and Alaska with a 737-900.I have flown on the CRJ-200 and its not a comfortable airplane.But only time will tell...

It's a short flight.

Dammit, I want a direct to Portland!

[freeweed]

It's a short flight.

Dammit, I want a direct to Portland!

Me too. We go down to the Oregon coast every year, and the drive from Seattle is SO BORING.

[walli]

Passenger numbers for February are out. Looks like we are out-pacing last years growth. Year-over year we are up over 11% for the first two months! At that rate, we should pass 12.5m this year!

Given that Montreal's international airport's numbers increased only 5.4% and 4.7% over the last two yearly cycles, there is a very high probability were will overtake this year.

[KrisYYC]

YYC-SEA yes,YYC-PDX nope...I find it hard to believe AC will do well on the YYC-SEA route using the CRJ-200 when they are up against QX CRJ-700's and Alaska with a 737-900.I have flown on the CRJ-200 and its not a comfortable airplane.But only time will tell...

YYC and SEA have large STAR Alliance Frequent flyer members. YYC-Aeroplan and SEA-UA mileage bank or whatever they call it.


Claeren, I am sorry for your bad experience with AC staff in YYZ. I'm not really sure why they just walked like that? I've never heard of a no OT thing going on overthere. That doesn't happen here I'll tell you that much!! But, one thing that doesn't surprise me is that our check-in agents were to blame. They are really the dog of the airline at the moment. The rest of us are trying to bounce back from the bad image but these front-line staff keep ruining our hard work.

As far as BA becoming our "international airline" thanks to open skies. Well that's not going to happen. Open skies with the EU would only mean an airline in Canada or the EU could start a route between whichever Canadian city to whichever European city it wants. Cabotage rights are not included. Flights to Asia are completely seperate bi-lateral agreements with the respective countries. Besides, even if it were possible there's more airlines in the EU than just BA. Many of which are already AC partners in the STAR alliance. If anybody would come out on top in this scenario it would be AC with Lufthansa, Swiss, SAS, BMI and Austrian. Westjet abandoned their new res system anyway, so until they come up with something new they won't be codesharing with anybody anytime soon (in fact, AC already connects passengers to the BA YYC flight.) Another thing, BA is far from a perfect airline. Their luggage handling is a laughing stock in the industry for an airline of BA's caliber. The chances of BA losing your luggage, especially oversize items like skis etc are among the highest in the industry.

Without a res system that can interact with other carriers, Westjet would be the biggest loser with full open skies.

Now somebody asked about the cargo capacity of the E-190?

Well let me tell you I've never seen go without fitting all bags on. I've personally worked flights with 185 bags loaded on. It's a pain in the ass, but we can always get them all on.

Anywho, again I'm sorry for those who have had to deal rude AC staff. It honestly really bothers the rest of us who are busting our asses to keep things going smoothly. It does have to do with unions. My deptartment (ramp) is unionized but thankfully our union is nowhere near as militant as the CSA union.

Kris

[Coldrsx]

Passenger numbers for February are out. Looks like we are out-pacing last years growth. Year-over year we are up over 11% for the first two months! At that rate, we should pass 12.5m this year!

Given that Montreal's international airport's numbers increased only 5.4% and 4.7% over the last two yearly cycles, there is a very high probability were will overtake this year.

i have a feeling you guys will...mtl isnt going to see much growth from what ive seen.

Edmonton is up 18.3% jan/feb and rumour has march at an insane 25%.

[walli]

Edmonton is up 18.3% jan/feb and rumour has march at an insane 25%.

It is easy to do when you have such small numbers to start with. Calgary's gross increase based on 11% is WAY more than Leduc's increase of 18.3%!

[Coldrsx]

^really? i didnt know that.

thank you for enlightening me oh wise one.

[walli]

^really? i didnt know that.

thank you for enlightening me oh wise one.

No problem. I'll break it down a little further ...

Edmonton's increase of 18.3% was a real number increase of 143,000 passengers. Calgary's increase of 11% was a real number increase of 185,000. To put things in perspective, Edmonton's total January + February number was smaller than Calgary's January number.

[KrisYYC]

Just thought I'd add. AC will go double daily YYC-JFK starting in June. The second flight will be a red-eye and will be operated with E190.

Kris

[tuffyy]

Not here to offend any YYC folks.But our per month growth is currently the fastest in the country,in terms of the growth rate.YYC is ahead in terms of numbers overall,but is NOT growing as fast as YEG.Dont believe me?Give me a call when I get back into the office in a few weeks.I am am member of the Canadian airports council,and would be happy to enlighten all,about the various airports.

[walli]

Not here to offend any YYC folks.But our per month growth is currently the fastest in the country,in terms of the growth rate.YYC is ahead in terms of numbers overall,but is NOT growing as fast as YEG.Dont believe me?Give me a call when I get back into the office in a few weeks.I am am member of the Canadian airports council,and would be happy to enlighten all,about the various airports.

You're not offending anyone - you are just reiterating what was being discussed. Both Coldrsx and myself mentioned recently that Edmonton's year-over-year growth in the first two months of 2007 was 18.3%, out pacing Calgary in this respect. The corollary was also important ... it is easier to do large percentage jumps when you have less than half the starting value.

[adeep88]

Comparisons are meaningless unless all airports use the same method of accounting for passenger numbers

[walli]

Comparisons are meaningless unless all airports use the same method of accounting for passenger numbers

Calgary & Edmonton use the same methodology per my information. Passengers get counted when they get off a plane, and they get counted when they get on a plane.

By aircraft movement:
3 Calgary International Airport 242,658
13 Edmonton International Airport 124,910

By passenger traffic:
4 Calgary International Airport 11,279,080
5 Edmonton International Airport 5,211,911

By domestic passenger traffic:
3 Calgary International Airport 8,130,820
5 Edmonton International Airport 4,346,788

By transporter passenger traffic:
4 Calgary International Airport 2,244,870
5 Edmonton International Airport 693,378

By international passenger traffic:
4 Calgary International Airport 903,390
5 Edmonton International Airport 171,745

Generally speaking, no matter how you cut it, YYC is YEG's daddy.

[marts1x]

YEG cant be talked about in the same breath as YYC. The only reason for comparison is that we are in the same province. YEG should be grouped with other small airports like ottawa and winnipeg and compared with them. YYC is only comparable to Montreal in terms of Canadian airports.

Plus YEG will continue to be positioned as a overfill airport for calgary. There shortsighted expansion plans only put them in the neighbourhood of 8 mill pax a year. YYC is embarking on a much larger scale expansion with the 500 million dollar B/C international expansion. Increasing international capacity which is beyond capacity currently and is one of the major reasons of YEG's large growth.

[Coldrsx]

YEG cant be talked about in the same breath as YYC. The only reason for comparison is that we are in the same province. YEG should be grouped with other small airports like ottawa and winnipeg and compared with them. YYC is only comparable to Montreal in terms of Canadian airports.

Plus YEG will continue to be positioned as a overfill airport for calgary. There shortsighted expansion plans only put them in the neighbourhood of 8 mill pax a year. YYC is embarking on a much larger scale expansion with the 500 million dollar B/C international expansion. Increasing international capacity which is beyond capacity currently and is one of the major reasons of YEG's large growth.

I think YEG will level off around 8-9mil and YYC in the 13-14mil....

[tuffyy]

One thing YEG is going to start doing that has not been done is counting the passenger traffic through the FBO's (YYC already does this) along with most other Canadian airport's.EAA never bothered with the numbers from these service providers.It will make a dramatic diffirence when you consider you have Canadian North operating 2 daily 737's and a F-100 to CNRL alongside several DHC-8's,aswell as Debeer's operating 737's to CSK6.It will also count on all oil traffic movement and Corporate charters (yes bizjets).YEG was one of the only airports not counting these movements and the numbers will make a pretty big dent.The CAC's response is if its going through your airport,count it...YEG started count on April 1st.Both airports are seemingly quiet to me,but I guess that's how it feels when you come from a city with a airport that spit out 31 million for '06'.Aswell Mats you are incorrect on your data about the reasons for YEG's growth,the airport is growing as a result of a growing city and booming north.If you wish to stick to your theory thats fine,but maybe you should attend a CAC meeting (they are open to the public and one will be held in YYC on June 22).You have a fine airport there but to say YEG is growing because YYC has no room is ridiculous.Get your facts straight before making a such a statement.And I hope to see you June 22...

[CMD UW]

What I find so funny is that some Calgary forumers are all over using percentages when comparing other stats and claim 'raw figures don't count'.

Face it Walli, your airport just isn't growing as fast as YEG. You can handle it I'm sure.

[marts1x]

What I find so funny is that some Calgary forumers are all over using percentages when comparing other stats and claim 'raw figures don't count'.

Face it Walli, your airport just isn't growing as fast as YEG. You can handle it I'm sure.

Yah well in the same breath Grande Prairie is growing at 35 percent so watch out yyc and yeg

[tuffyy]

Yah well in the same breath Grande Prairie is growing at 35 percent so watch out yyc and yeg

You are correct YQU is setting some major growth record's alongside YMM (Ft.mcmurray).AC added the YHZ-YMM route as a result of the growth and well the demand was also there,YQU is infact seeking flights to YHZ on a seasonal basis also as the number of maritimers is also high in that city.YQU will likely continue to feed YEG for the time being.Dont get me wrong,YYC is still growing and will for sometime,the growth levels are just not as strong as your northern neighbours.You have the numbers overall but will see some airports (particularly YEG start to gain on YYC) bridging the gap slowly.Believe me its good for Alberta in general,and I for one dont see why Calgarians are taking this as a another ''battle of Alberta''.:cool:

[dubiousmike]

WOW MY AIRPORT IS GROWING FASTER THAN YOURS. MY PENIS IS HUGE.

Yeah. Okay. We're all very impressed. Can we move on now?

[tuffyy]

But mines bigger!!!JK,yes lets move on and get back on topic YYC airport...

[walli]

Guys - several folks have suggested that the biggest barrier to a further increase of passenger traffic at YYC are airport limitations IE gates, in particular, international gates.

Is that the case?
What is the time line for concourse B/C redevelopment?

Could be a mess while portions of B/C are closed off to allow for the expansion!

BTW - how has the loading rate been for the new LHR flights? If solid, they should really looking at increasing that further.

[lubicon]

The redevelopement of the B/C concourse is next and preliminary work has already begun I believe. It would likely have to be done in stages as the entire concourse could not be closed at once. I would tink they would maybe do the C side first, and shift the transborder flights to the B side temporarily. Then move back to the C side and do the B side. Don't forget about the 4 swing gates on the D concourse either (along the main terminal between the C and D fingers). They will be heavily utilized as well. IIRC, they will also construct a hammerhead of sorts at the end of B/C. maybe they will also do that first so it is open before they have to shut down the C side.

[walli]

^^ Have they considered letting people down on the tarmac (yes, only in summer)? I realize that sounds foreign in Calgary, but the idea is to get the expansion done as soon as possible.

[Coldrsx]

^yup...i did that in geneva even...perfectly fine in many countries.

[walli]

I hadn't seen this picture before ... looks like it is just prior to Westjet concourse D opening.

http://www.airlineempires.net/images/stories/articles/YYC_1.jpg

[lubicon]

^^ Have they considered letting people down on the tarmac (yes, only in summer)? I realize that sounds foreign in Calgary, but the idea is to get the expansion done as soon as possible.

I suppose you could, they do it for the smaller planes in the A concourse.

[ctown.myth]

^^ Have they considered letting people down on the tarmac (yes, only in summer)? I realize that sounds foreign in Calgary, but the idea is to get the expansion done as soon as possible.

If people can do it in the desert, we can do it in the snow.

[evolv]

THe numbers that really stand out this year is the increase in international passengers (up 20%) this is probably due in part to the British Airways flight. 20% is very impressive and as more and more people become interested in oilsands we should see continued positive growth in international passenger numbers.

Previous years saw <10% growth in international passenger numbers.

[walli]

THe numbers that really stand out this year is the increase in international passengers (up 20%) this is probably due in part to the British Airways flight.

That one, but also Zoom service to Paris, that started last year. How has that one been going?

[tuffyy]

YYC will shortly have a new FBO,northgate FBO,its were Cariboo flys from and has just blew a crapload of money on the YYC facility.It will setup contract fuel for U.S and Int'l customers shortly...Its likely the nicest FBO in YYC right now with all the new reno's.The company is also setting up shop at YEG in conjunction with a exsisting FBO there,the FBO has been killing the Shell aerocentre in YEG recently as it joined a contract fuel arrangement in the last few months.

[walli]

YYC will shortly have a new FBO,northgate FBO,its were Cariboo flys from and has just blew a crapload of money on the YYC facility.It will setup contract fuel for U.S and Int'l customers shortly...Its likely the nicest FBO in YYC right now with all the new reno's.The company is also setting up shop at YEG in conjunction with a exsisting FBO there,the FBO has been killing the Shell aerocentre in YEG recently as it joined a contract fuel arrangement in the last few months.

I don't know all the acronyms ... I'm guessing FBO stands for something to do with fuel? Also, what exactly is Cariboo (I'm guessing you don't mean the animal)?

[marts1x]

THe numbers that really stand out this year is the increase in international passengers (up 20%) this is probably due in part to the British Airways flight. 20% is very impressive and as more and more people become interested in oilsands we should see continued positive growth in international passenger numbers.

Previous years saw <10% growth in international passenger numbers.

Well the 20 percent this year is for Jan and Feb so the Paris flight wont matter as it is only seasonal.

The major reason for the increase is the return of charters to Cancun after they pretty much dried up last year due to the hurricane that damaged most the resorts.

[walli]

Well the 20 percent this year is for Jan and Feb so the Paris flight wont matter as it is only seasonal.

The major reason for the increase is the return of charters to Cancun after they pretty much dried up last year due to the hurricane that damaged most the resorts.

Zoom flight is NOT seasonal. Check their web-site:
http://www.flyzoom.com/

In fact, I went through the motions and was able to get seats for this coming Monday's flight. The price is pretty good - $249 each way!!

I remember the last time I went to Paris (2004 I think). Was either via Toronto, Montreal or London - and as such quite a bit more expensive.

Perhaps you are mixing this one up with the seasonal flights from South Korea?

[tuffyy]

FBO stands for fixed base operator,the facilities cater to mainly buisness jets,general aviation,smaller aircraft in general although some FBO's do handle large aircraft.These places are amazing and offer things no main terminal could really ever offer such as highly decorated lounges,free drinks (including alcohol),snooze rooms,wifi,and hanger's for private jets that dont want a scratch on there paint.

Here are a few examples of FBO's in Alberta.
www.executiveflightcentre.com
http://www.skyserviceairlines.com/eng/busaviation/gallery/default.asp
http://www.bestaero.com/fbos/cyvr/cyvr2/cyvr.asp

[marts1x]

Zoom flight is NOT seasonal. Check their web-site:
http://www.flyzoom.com/

In fact, I went through the motions and was able to get seats for this coming Monday's flight. The price is pretty good - $249 each way!!

I remember the last time I went to Paris (2004 I think). Was either via Toronto, Montreal or London - and as such quite a bit more expensive.

Perhaps you are mixing this one up with the seasonal flights from South Korea?

Paris hasn't come direct to calgary since oct or nov... it maybe on the verge of starting up again for the summer season.

[walli]

Paris hasn't come direct to calgary since oct or nov... it maybe on the verge of starting up again for the summer season.

The web-site is selling tickets for Monday. www.flyzoom.com

Also - previously I mentioned that it is $249 each way. That is somewhat incorrect ... it is $249 going, and only $199 coming back! That is $448.00 + $259.00 (taxes and surcharges) = $707.00 round trip ... not much more than going to Toronto or Montreal!

[KrisYYC]

The web-site is selling tickets for Monday. www.flyzoom.com

Also - previously I mentioned that it is $249 each way. That is somewhat incorrect ... it is $249 going, and only $199 coming back! That is $448.00 + $259.00 (taxes and surcharges) = $707.00 round trip ... not much more than going to Toronto or Montreal!

Zoom has fantastic fares. Though, it would be that much better if our retarded taxes were reduced! Canadians pay some of the highest air travel taxes in the world. It's ridiculous.

As far as Airport Expansion goes: I know gate space is tight, but even tighter is manouvering area. Due to the completely outdated design pushing just one aircraft off of B concourse can block access to the rest of B concourse and part of A concourse, especially if you're pushing a widebody. This is the same reason letting passengers on the open tarmac is a bad idea. Let's not forget that running jet engines are loud as hell, and often gate areas get jet blasted a bit thanks to the tight manouvering space. The only time passengers are on the tarmac in A concourse is to board/disembark.


Kris

[Bigtime]

This is the same reason letting passengers on the open tarmac is a bad idea. Let's not forget that running jet engines are loud as hell, and often gate areas get jet blasted a bit thanks to the tight manouvering space. The only time passengers are on the tarmac in A concourse is to board/disembark.

Of course I agree with all your points Kris, but how about if some passengers were deplaned onto the tarmac on the ramp portion south of the A concourse? The spot where they park a few aircraft every night. Could the same thing not also be done on the other side with the parking areas in between the B-D concourse? Those areas at least are not subject to the jet blast that can be an issue with deplaning.

Of course then we would need the infrastructure to accomodate this. Buses for the passengers, more air stairs, and a drop-off area for each concourse that would direct you to baggage claim and or customs.

Food for thought for everyone.

On a related note when I flew the BA flight to LHR in early March we got deplaned at a remote stand in Heathrow as well. I like it because you get to have a nice look at the plane, not to mention those giant 777 engines. :tup:

[evolv]

Calgary Airport Wishlist:

Paris (Air France) - Total recently set up shop here, Total is Air France's biggest customer

Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific) - NA executive mentioned it might be a possibility, sighted landing fees as problem

Tokyo (ANA/Japan Airlines) - convert the charters into scheduled service (probably not both, but maybe one of them)

Korean Air - will start charters this summer hopefully they will soon launch scheduled

[Coldrsx]

what is YYC's march #s? Im posting YEG's to compare not start some bitch fest......just curious to see how they match of late:

domestic 404818 15.4%
TB 72956 25%
I 36072 61.1%
total 513846 19%

[Bigtime]

No stats on the website yet Coldrsx, then again I may not be able to find a place where they pop up sooner.

[tuffyy]

YYC's numbers will be pretty large,curious to see the growth percentage.

[marts1x]

YYC's numbers will be pretty large,curious to see the growth percentage.

Im gonna predict 7-9 percent growth over last year. should put us right around 1 mill pax total

[Beltliner]

Im gonna predict 7-9 percent growth over last year. should put us right around 1 mill pax total [Eleven mill, shurely? --Ed.]

By the by, they're starting a touch-up of the Arrivals roadway next week (http://www.calgaryairport.com/document.cfm?Dept=Internet&DID=6501)....

[marts1x]

By the by, they're starting a touch-up of the Arrivals roadway next week (http://www.calgaryairport.com/document.cfm?Dept=Internet&DID=6501)....

Sorry should have said i meant for the month of march

[walli]

Airport news - April 17 / 07 edition
http://www.yyc.com/fts/getfile.cfm?FID=8590

Highlights:

Calgary Airport Authority Annual General
Meeting (AGM)
Calgary International
Airport staff and public
are invited to attend the
Calgary Airport Authority
AGM on April 18, 2007 at
the Aero Space Museum
starting at 11:00 am.
It’s a great opportunity to get a report on the
progress and activities of the past year and to
hear about future development plans for YYC.
With many new and exciting projects on the
horizon, the future of Canada’s fourth busiest
airports looks bright and very, very busy.

Korean Charters Coming To Calgary
International Airport
As many as 8,400
Korean travellers will
be visiting Alberta
this summer as part
of a new charter
program negotiated by the Calgary Airport
Authority and Travel Alberta. Korean Air will
fly Boeing 777-200 aircraft three times a week,
July 1 until September 2, between Seoul
and Calgary. Each flight will carry up to 301
passengers.

Calgary International Airport and Noise Management
By Shaye Folk, The Calgary Airport Authority
In order that inquiries about noise
generated at Calgary International
Airport are managed in a balanced
fashion, a comprehensive noise management
program has been in operation
at YYC for more than 20 years.
The “nuts and bolts” of the Authority’s noise management
program includes:
• A fixed noise monitoring system with 15 noise
monitoring terminals within various neighbouring
Calgary communities;
• An aircraft flight tracking;
• A noise concern “Hotline”;
• The Airport Community Noise Consultative Committee
(ACNCC); and
• The Airport Vicinity Protection Area (AVPA).

[Plus15]

The Korean Air charters are three times a week for two months? Thats a lot of charters...and a lot of 777's at YYC. Nice!

[YYCguys]

Airport news - April 17 / 07 edition
http://www.yyc.com/fts/getfile.cfm?FID=8590

Highlights:

Calgary Airport Authority Annual General
Meeting (AGM)
Calgary International
Airport staff and public
are invited to attend the
Calgary Airport Authority
AGM on April 18, 2007 at
the Aero Space Museum
starting at 11:00 am.
It’s a great opportunity to get a report on the
progress and activities of the past year and to
hear about future development plans for YYC.
With many new and exciting projects on the
horizon, the future of Canada’s fourth busiest
airports looks bright and very, very busy.

I am unable to attend the meeting. If you or any you know is attending, please post whatever juicy news, especially future development plans, you can here. Muchly appreciated! Thanks!

[The Kid]

The Korean Air charters are three times a week for two months? Thats a lot of charters...and a lot of 777's at YYC. Nice!

And a lot of Koreans spending money in Cowtown and surrounding area! Awesome!

[Bigtime]

Reposting this from RobD in the Calgary construction thread:

Airport expects 12 million passengers
Robust economy drives gains
Gina TeelCalgary Herald Thursday, April 19, 2007

CREDIT: Tim Fraser, Calgary Herald

Garth Atkinson, Airport authority CEOPassenger growth at the Calgary International Airport is expected to climb by 10 per cent in 2007 and top 12 million passengers, the Calgary Airport Authority said Wednesday.

Authority CEO Garth Atkinson attributed the sustained steady growth in passenger activity to a robust outlook for the airline industry, based on high load factors, a healthy economy, and the profitability and stability of the Canada's major carriers, WestJet Airlines Ltd. and Air Canada. "I would say the airline industry outlook has never been more positive," Atkinson said at the authority's annual general meeting in Calgary. Last year, a total of 11.3 million passengers, or 31,000 passengers a day, went through the airport facility -- an 11.1 per cent increase from 2005. Traffic growth at the Calgary International is up 43 per cent in four years -- making it Canada's fastest growing airport.

Independent aviation analyst Rick Erickson of R.P. Erickson and Associates, said Calgary's robust economic growth has created a high demand for all airline passenger products. "We buy business class, we buy international, we buy charter, we buy domestic, we buy regional services, and we are growing," he said following the meeting. In terms of managing growth, the authority has earmarked $110 million in capital investment for improvement projects in 2007. Included among these initiatives are parking and roadway improvements, baggage system improvements, pavement and facility restoration, and land servicing and development at the Calgary International and Springbank airports. Development plans call for the addition of 2,000 paved surface stalls at the Calgary International this year, followed by 2,000 stall additions to the parkade in 2009. Current demand fluctuates between 5,000 and 10,000 stalls per day against a supply of 11,000 stalls located both on and off the airport, he noted. "One thing that I want to stress, however, is unlike downtown, we park everyone 100 per cent," Atkinson said.
Looking ahead, the authority's long-term 10-year $1.2-billion anticipated development projects include refurbishing and expanding the international facilities terminal.

Plans include enlarging the check-in area and reconfiguring and expanding the Canada/U.S. inspection services. Phase 1 construction costs are currently pegged at $450 million. Phase 1 is expected to be in service in the fall of 2011. "With this single project, Calgary will continue as Western Canada's premier international gateway for the next 30 years," Atkinson said. He also brought attendees up to speed on the planned 14,000 square-foot parallel runway. Dubbed the most important 14,000 square feet in Alberta, the dual connecting taxiway is sized for A380, or very large, aircraft. Estimated cost at this time is $400 million. Current-in service is Fall of 2015. Airport merchant Brian Guichon, owner of Riley & McCormick Western Stores, said growth of the Calgary International is positive for his business. "More international, more airlines, more gates, more traffic, it's all there, it's good," he said following the meeting.

gteel@theherald.canwest.com


© The Calgary Herald 2007

[Wooster]

Are we going to pass montreal this year? How many do they have?

[Boris2k7]

Didn't we pass them last year? :???:

I wish they would damnwell get the International Facilities project underway...

[walli]

Are we going to pass montreal this year? How many do they have?

Based on growth over the first two months at Montreal and Calgary, YYC is on trajectory to do just that.

Few odd comments in the article:

Canada's fastest growing airport.

I thought Edmonton was growing faster???

Phase 1 is expected to be in service in the fall of 2011. "With this single project, Calgary will continue as Western Canada's premier international gateway for the next 30 years," Atkinson said

Hmmm ... I'd have thought Vancouver is ahead of us in this department

He also brought attendees up to speed on the planned 14,000 square-foot parallel runway. Dubbed the most important 14,000 square feet in Alberta <snip> Current-in service is Fall of 2015

Holy cow - that is the size of three average house lots!!! Massive! Joking aside, I think that should have been the linear length and not the square-footage.

BTW - if the in-service for the new runway is 2015, I'm assuming 'someone' has a time line for the Airport Trail expansion towards the East? When would that be? Both the airport trail and runway projects would take 2-3 years each, and they can't really be done at the same time. That means construction at the latest starting in 2010 for the 2km tunnel.

[Riise]

Hmmm ... I'd have thought Vancouver is ahead of us in this department...

I think it's part of the new trend that breaks the old Western Canada into Pacific and Western Canada; with Vancity being in Pacific Canada.