The Red Deer airport if poised to become a national logistics hub with a $30-million provincial investment.
Alberta’s Government made the announcement on March 15, as part of Budget 2023.
“As the MLA for Red Deer-North and as a resident of Red Deer, I know this expansion will be a welcomed addition for the community,” said MLA Adriana LaGrange. “This expansion will be an asset to the transportation corridor, as it will attract new passenger and cargo services, improve tourism and create jobs.
“I am happy to see further investments that will support our booming community.”
Building on a $7.5-million provincial grant to upgrade and repair the airport runway, the funding will go towards critical infrastructure. This includes road construction, water sanitation, stormwater, and fibre optic installation. It will also improved emergency access to Springbrook.
This will lay the foundation to attract low-fare passenger airlines. Planning for a new passenger terminal that would accommodate fir 737 aircraft is already underway.
“We are glad this government has recognized the unique opportunity the airport and central Alberta can play in expanding our economic impact through diversification,” said Red Deer Regional Airport CEO Graham Ingram.
“We already have a tenant looking to expand their business as a result of this positive development. By building the road north, we now have the opportunity to access the additional 220 acres, which we hope will bring in cargo, aircraft repair and other airline-related services.”
That tenant is aerial firefighting company Air Spray, which is the largest business at the airport. They announced plans to add additional hangar space.
Boosting airport competitiveness
The investment aligns with a broader strategy to improve the competitiveness of airports. The province is looking at policy changes to compete with U.S. airports like Seattle that can bring in cargo at lower prices than is currently possible in the province.
The Strategic Aviation Advisory Council was formed in 2020 by the government to help with this, and advise on how to increase economic development through airports, as well as expand markets and create jobs.
The Aviation and aerospace industry employs more than 18,000 people, as per Statistics Canada, and contributed $1.5 billion to Alberta’s GDP in 2021.
View the original press release on the Government of Alberta website.
Red Deer-North constituents with questions, concerns or comments can reach out to the local constituency office. They can do so via the form on the contact page or by phoning (403) 342–2263.