Edmonton’s “Future Airport” on track to serve growing region

Edmonton’s ‘future airport’ on track to serve growing region 

U.S. departures area first of phased project to open in early 2012 

June 7, 2011 (Edmonton, Alta.) — Edmontonians, Northwestern Canadians and visitors to our region from around the world will soon be treated to a higher level of service, comfort and efficiency as the massive terminal expansion at Edmonton International Airport (EIA) nears completion. EIA’s Expansion 2012 will open in phases next year with the U.S. departures and retail areas opening first in early 2012.

“We’re excited to soon deliver to Edmonton its ‘future airport,’” says Reg Milley, EIA President and CEO. “The expansion will enhance our region’s ability to attract business, tourists and new air service.”              

“The new terminal expansion’s customer service, comfort and ambience will reflect the Capital Region’s growing stature, ambition and progress,” added Paul Garbiar, EIA Vice President of Infrastructure and Technology.

we’ll move you services

When Expansion 2012 is complete, customers will have a wider array of food, beverage and retail services to enjoy. Moving sidewalks, comfortable passenger lounges, a more efficient path for international and connecting passengers, a speedier U.S. departures area, new play areas and other family services and vibrant art will help transform the customer experience at EIA. Business travellers will appreciate more workstations to take advantage of EIA’s free wireless Internet.

“We have designed the building to maximize comfort and efficiency, providing an international-scale ambience that gives customers a striking, immediate sense of place and an airport the community will take pride in,” says Milley.

Timing is everything

Expansion 2012 will open just as rising economic prospects spur more people to travel for business and leisure. In April, the number of customers flying to and from EIA climbed by 3.1 per cent over April 2010, increasing the demand on the existing terminal. Since 2007, the existing terminal has been serving many more customers than its design capacity of 5.5 million passengers per year.

Steady growth at EIA is expected through the rest of 2011 and for the next several years as energy-sector investments drive Alberta’s robust economic expansion.

Currently, construction on the terminal expansion is one month ahead of schedule and 25 per cent under budget, with crews finishing the terminal’s interior features.

While the terminal building is much bigger, it’s also greener. EIA is applying for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for the new terminal and tower. LEED is the global standard in green building design. During construction on the terminal expansion, more than 97 per cent of construction waste from the new terminal has been diverted from landfill.

For more information about Expansion 2012 and EIA, visit flyeia.com.

Media inquiries:

________________________________

Fly using one of EIA’s 50+ non-stop destinations every time and Unite for More Flights!
www.facebook.com/flyeia
www.twitter.com/flyeia
www.flyeia.com