EIA opens new Domestic-International Passenger Lounge

September 15, 2012 | General, YEG News Releases

2012-09-15T00:00:001EIA opens new Domestic-International Passenger Lounge <![CDATA[

Media Release

EIA opens new Domestic-International Passenger Lounge Eskimos, Oilers, Oil Kings themed baggage carousels unveiled September 15, 2012 (Edmonton, AB) – Edmonton International Airport (EIA) unveiled the latest chapter in its Expansion 2012 project today with the official opening of the new Domestic-International Passenger Lounge and the completion of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Arrivals Hall. This latest phase of expansion comes amid skyrocketing passenger growth at EIA. August was EIA’s busiest month ever and a record-breaking 6.5 million people have chosen to fly through EIA over the past 12 months, making EIA Canada’s fastest-growing major airport. “We’re thrilled about our current growth in passenger traffic and the 50 per cent more space from Expansion 2012 ensures we can keep up with demand,” says Reg Milley, EIA President and CEO. “With this latest phase of expansion, we’ve added even more capacity for airlines to offer new flights while passengers enjoy a more comfortable space with a wide range of new shopping and dining options. ”EIA’s new Domestic-International Lounge features:

Four new dining outlets – a Belgian Beer Café, a Heineken Bar, a Caffè Sorrentino outlet and a Starbucks;
Five new retail outlets – a Discover Alberta souvenir shop, a Dufry Duty-Free shop, an ICE Currency Exchange kiosk and a Relay News outlet;
Four new art displays, including an ensemble of wood, stone, glass and metalwork sculptures by seven members of the Alberta Craft Council, a paper and book art display (Pulp Paper Pages) courtesy of the Alberta Craft Council, Hanging Out With The Grizzlies by Edmonton-area sculptor Jim Flaman and Snow Globe: The Long View by renowned visual artist Claudia Fitch;
A new baggage delivery system featuring three carousels (up from the previous two). The carousels are adorned with Eskimos, Oilers and Oil Kings displays.

The new carousel, complementing the other two in the CBSA Arrivals Hall, is fitted with two delivery belts, doubling the speed of baggage delivery. The September 15 opening marks the latest stage of expansion at EIA as part of the airport’s Expansion 2012 project. A Plaza Premium Lounge will also open for common use in the Domestic-International Passenger lounge this fall. Expansion 2012 will conclude at the end of this year with the opening of the new combined office and control tower (Central Tower), which will house a new NAV Canada air traffic control tower and new administrative offices. An expanded concessions area at the base of the tower opened late last year. But new development doesn’t end in 2012. A major hotel connected to the terminal will open in 2013.