SPRINGBROOK — Passenger loads nearly doubled at Red Deer Regional Airport last month, a sign local officials hope of blue skies ahead after a turbulent year.
Last year’s economic nose-dive sharply cut the number of workers flying in and out of Red Deer and led to a year-end scramble to make sure the airport logged the critical 1,000 passengers necessary to be eligible for key government funding. About 170 passengers flew out of the airport last month, compared to 90 a year earlier.
“These are good numbers for us,” said airport authority chief executive officer Liam O’Connell on Thursday. “The economy is turning around, the business is turning around and we think it’s going to go.”
The jump in passenger numbers has put it at 2008 levels, said O’Connell at a news conference to show off new snow removal equipment, which is expected to improve airport safety and efficiency.
Funding for the $750,000 in equipment, including a plow truck, sweeper and snow blower, came from Transport Canada’s Airports Capital Assistance Program and was announced a year ago.
O’Connell said the new equipment will help as the airport grows busier.
Other airlines have already expressed interest in using the airport at Springbrook and he hopes to announce a Kelowna destination in the second quarter, he added.
Northwestern Air Lease Ltd., which flies to and from Fort McMurray, said last September that it wants to add flights from Red Deer to Kelowna and Abbotsford, B.C., this spring.
Swanberg started flying out of the Red Deer Regional Airport in mid-October, when it introduced service to Calgary, Edmonton and Grande Prairie. In November, it added flights to Swift Current and Regina, and then Estevan, Sask.
The airport has been doggedly pursuing major airlines for years to land regular scheduled passenger service at the airport. The economic downturn left airlines reluctant to commit but local officials plan to engage in more talks this year.
Red Deer MP Earl Dreeshen said improving safety boosts consumer and management confidence and attracts business and will help efforts to position the airport as one of the province’s best medium-sized airports.
The airport has requested $6 million through the capital assistance program this year, which includes $4.5 million for runway and taxiway work, $1 million for lighting upgrades and $500,000 for a maintenance building addition.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com