Edmonton International Airport was built in the early 60's to accommodate 2.5 million passengers a year. In 2004, over 4 million people came and went through our airport on more than 90,000 flights, and it was forecast that this number would reach 5.5 million by 2015. (In 2006, 5.2 million travellers went through EIA, indicating that the 5.5 million mark would likely be tallied well before 2015.)
As the fifth-busiest in Canada, this airport has a responsibility to Albertans and travellers from around the world to facilitate safe, efficient and comfortable travel. Also, we are located at the heart of one of the fastest-growing economies in North America. Expanded airport facilities are essential to support this growth. Over a period of 7 years, from 1998 to 2005, the airport terminal underwent several changes, including the building of a new parkade and a new terminal.
The 1998-2005 Redevelopment Project was the first major renovation of the airport facilities, but it is certainly not the last.
The Phases
Phase 1
- Constructed a new four-level parkade, which houses a spacious new car rental centre
- Enhanced airport and surrounding roadways for more convenient access
- Replaced the original terminal roof and ceiling
- Cost: $42 million.
- Constructed new South Terminal, facilitating domestic and international flights (including Canadian and U.S. customs and immigration, 11 boarding gates, new passenger holdrooms, and new retail facilities including Duty Free)
- Doubled the size of the aircraft apron for greater maneuverability and parking
- Twinned the main entrance road and completed other roadway improvements
- Cost: $127 million.
- Constructed a feature hall - the Central Hall - to connect the original and new terminal buildings, serve as a focal point for the facility and provide travellers with additional amenities and facilities:
- A warm and welcoming space to meet and greet
- Expanded food and beverage services
- Great new shopping opportunities
- Generous space, and state-of-the-art security equipment to support efficient and thorough centralized security passenger screening
- Centralized Commuter Concourse to facilitate regional flights, vastly improving passenger convenience
- Cost: $96 million.
- Portions of the North Terminal (the original 1960s facility) were upgraded in 2005, expanding shops and services as well as improving holdroom facilities.
- Cost: $17.6 million
After the renovations were completed, travelers, as well as greeters and well-wishers, were left with an impressive facility. Some features of the redevelopment include:
- An attractive "Meet and Greet" area for arriving passengers
- Comfortable passenger lounges with modern furniture and décor
- More airline check-in counters
- New flight information display screens
- More public washrooms
- Improved barrier-free facilities and services
- Enhanced food service
- Additional parking facilities with a variety of parking options including Valet Park (premium service), Parkade Park and Value Park
- A new customer information centre
- Expanded ticket and baggage areas
- Centralized, ground level commuter corridor to facilitate efficient passenger boarding on regional aircraft
- New mezzanine level airline administration offices
- A themed public observation area with impressive views of runways and departure concourse
- Triple the retail space providing a stress-reducing environment, offering eating and shopping options, entertainment, and passenger enjoyment
- Integration of design themes celebrating the region's people, heritage and natural environment
- Memorable art features creating a positive and enduring impression for air travellers.