Red Deer Regional Airport has a new logo as it comes off a profitable 2023.
The new brand and logo were unveiled on Tuesday at the airport's annual public meeting. It is part of a marketing and communication strategy that will be worked on over the next six months.
The stylized plane against an outline of Alberta sports the Royal Canadian Air Force's distinctive blue as a tribute to the airport's past as a training base under the Second World War British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. The logo is also meant to signify that the airport is ready for its next incarnation, if all goes to plan, as a regional transportation hub.
Interim airport CEO Nancy Paish said the airport's $30-million expansion remains on track while operating revenues soared 35 per cent and net income 25 per cent, mostly because of the successful airshow that drew more than 25,000 people and had a profit of $165,000.
"As we reflect on the milestones achieved during our 2023 annual public meeting, we are proud to announce significant strides in our expansion journey," said Paish.
Airport construction and the challenge of landing top acts in a year the air force was celebrating its centenary meant the airshow was put on hold this year.
A decision on whether to start gearing up for a 2025 airshow will be made as all of the projects planned evolve, said Paish.
The focus for this year will be completion of Phase 2 of the expansion. This fall, a $3.5-million terminal addition will be complete that will provide the capacity to handle the passenger load of 737.
Efforts to lure an ultra-low-cost air carrier and to get Canada Services Border Agency approval for a customs office at the airport continue.
Phase 3, which will see Airport Drive extended to the north to provide a second access and link to C&E Trail is beginning. That project is expected to be completed in two to three years and open up 200 acres of airside land to development.
Another part of this phase will see the extension of one of the taxiways. The main runway was widened and strengthened and taxiway and apron improvements made were part of the first phase and completed last year.
This fall, will also see construction begin on a 20-megawatt solar facility at the north end of the airport. It is expected to be producing power by spring 2025 and will generate about $42,000 a year in revenue for the airport.
Saturn Power Inc., an Ontario-based renewable energy developer, is behind the project that would be constructed at the north end of the airport on land co-owned by the airport, Red Deer County and a private property owner.
Development of the project began in 2019 and included three years of community outreach and stakeholder consultation. One megawatt can power roughly 1,000 houses a year.