The Red Deer Regional Airport recently held its 2024 annual public meeting reflecting on their successes and growth in the past year and focusing on Phase 3 of their expansion project.
Phase 3 of the expansion began in 2024 with $30 million in funding from the Province of Alberta, supporting key infrastructure improvements including the extension of Taxiway Alpha, installation of essential services, and enhanced access along Airport Drive (Township Road 372 to 374).
Road construction is in collaboration with Red Deer County, which received $18 million of the provincial funding. The project is expected to be completed by spring 2026.
A highlight of the past year was the successful completion of Phase 2 of the Airport Expansion Project in September 2024. This phase included a significant terminal expansion, now capable of accommodating over 180 passengers for both scheduled and charter flights.
Phase 1, completed in 2023, involved a $15-million investment to widen the runway and strengthen the taxiway and apron. As a result, wide-body or larger Boeing 737 aircraft can access airport runways.
The three core values highlighted in the 2025 strategic plan were location, land and cost effectiveness.
CEO Nancy Paish spoke on all these values, telling the media that being off Hwy. 2 was a blessing since it’s a prime location for manufacturing and maintenance overhaul facilities.
This coupled with the fact that the airport owns 200 acres of airside land that can still be developed.
“Many of the airports rent or lease their land from the federal government and we don't have that,” said Paish. “We can be nimble and quick to make decisions to be able to accommodate those that are coming in.”
One unique aspect of the Airport Expansion Project is that it was completed with no debt, something Paish is proud of.
Looking ahead to 2025, Red Deer Regional Airport announced that its priorities will center on enhancing aviation services, with a strong emphasis on expanding passenger service and increasing charter traffic.
Additional focus areas include advancing land development, securing an anchor tenant for the north end development, strengthening tenant and stakeholder relations and continuing to serve as a prominent leader and representative within the community.
For more information and to access the presentation visit the Red Deer Regional Airport website.
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