Lifting barriers to economic expansion at the Red Deer Regional Airport was discussed by Red Deer Mayor Ken Johnston with delegates at a Chicago convention.
Johnston returned from a large U.S. aviation conference with three potential must-haves to attract new businesses to Red Deer Regional Airport.
The need for a customs office still tops Johnston’s list — followed by the possible construction of new hangars, and the development of an aircraft maintenance program at Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP).
He noted many delegates at the MRO (Maintenance Overhaul Repair) Americas conference in Chicago were impressed with how much available land there is around Red Deer airport. “That’s rare in the aviation industry,” said Johnston.
Other pluses is the new road being built to improve access to the airport from the north. The runway was also recently lengthened to allow larger airplanes to land, and the expansion of the terminal is well underway — including space for a customs office.
But the local airport continues to have shortcomings that must be overcome to attract companies to set up shop there, added the mayor.
He stressed the most pressing need is for a customs office. If Red Deer had an authorized port of entry is to clear freight as well as passengers (if the local airport regains passenger service), there would be no need for aircraft to fly first into Calgary or Edmonton, said Johnston.
“I think the linchpin for us is customs.”
Unfortunately, Red Deer airport falls just outside of approved distances for customs offices from Edmonton and Calgary, said Johnston. “This is one of the realities we have to solve.”
Red Deer city and county officials have been “strongly advocating” to the Canadian government and Canadian Border Services Agency for a customs office, arguing that it’s critical for the airport’s future.
Many delegates from the aviation industry told Johnston they prefer to lease hangars, instead of building them. He believes this will prompt discussions between the city and county about whether funding can be found for new hangar projects.
To some extent, he admitted this is a chicken and egg scenario — if you build it will they come? Or is there a certain level of interest or traffic needed before you build?
There is also the issue of a skilled labour shortage. Johnston said aircraft maintenance technicians are already in short supply. There’s only one program in Alberta at SAIT in Calgary, and a long list of students waiting for admission.
Johnston plans to pursue this with RDP officials to see whether there’s a possibility of starting this training there.
The mayor feels attending the MRO Americas conference “narrowed down some of the hurdles we are facing and allowed us to reacquaint ourselves with some of the contacts we (previously) met.”
While his hope for getting passenger service back at the airport hasn’t faded, Johnston acknowledged there aren’t many ultra-low cost carriers left operating in today’s economic climate.
He believes a more tangible route in the shorter term is to begin attracting aviation service businesses.