Red Deer Regional Airport is one of 10 regional airports to share $1.13 million from the province to improve air transportation and airport infrastructure.
The local airport will receive $120,000 for a land development strategy to leverage infrastructure and facility improvements, such as terminal expansion and airside land development, to better position the airport as a hub for economic activity.
Nancy Paish, interim CEO of the airport located at Springbrook, said the feasibility study will help harness the potential of Red Deer Regional Airport.
“It will serve as a road map for guiding us and identifying strategies for the maximizing full potential of our land assets while ensuring the long-term sustainability of our operations. It will also enhance our master plan with an updated area structure plan,” Paish said at Thursday’s funding announcement held at the airport.
Transportation and Economic Corridors Minister Devin Dreeshen said the development of regional airports can help Albertans connect with major international airports and increase Alberta’s economic competitiveness.
“Alberta’s government recognizes the critical role our aviation industry plays in strengthening and diversifying our economy by expanding access to markets and creating jobs all across the province,” said Dreeshen, who is also the MLA for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake.
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In 2023, Red Deer Regional Airport received $30 million from the province for an expansion project that’s underway. It includes a terminal addition, a taxiway expansion project, and in a few weeks the first part of a new north access road and link to C&E Trail to connect to 200 acres of airside land for aviation-related industries.
Red Deer County Mayor Jim Wood said the latest grant will help the airport get to the next level.
“We have over 200 acres of airside lands that are ready to be developed. Customers could be here soon. It’s extremely important that we have a plan,” Wood said.
Red Deer city councillor Cindy Jefferies agreed that the land development strategy will help move the airport forward.
“I think Red Deer airport is one of the best kept secrets in the province. Airline industry across the country should be looking for opportunity here,” Jefferies said.
Dreeshen said wildfire preparations may be part of studies at regional airports in the north, but even the Red Deer airport has a role to play as the site of Air Spray which has a contract to repair the province’s four water bombers. Regional airports are part of an integrated system.
He said regional airports could become hubs for commercial cargo transportation. For example, cargo flights could land at Red Deer airport and goods could be distributed to the north and south by truck.
“There’s a huge growth potential for Red Deer Regional Airport.”
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Grants to other regional airports include:
• $144,000 to Cold Lake Regional Airport for feasibility study for airport certification to support scheduled air services.
• $78,684 to Whitecourt Airport for a commercial development feasibility study.
• $113,988 for Lloydminster for a municipal airport commercial air services feasibility study.
• $57,552 for Peace River Regional Airport for an airport master plan.
• $150,000 for Lethbridge Airport for a hangar development feasibility study and business case.
• $56,000 for High Level Airport for an airport master plan.
• $150,000 for Medicine Hat Regional Airport for a feasibility and business case for airport growth and development.
• $140,000 for Grande Prairie Airport for a Canadian Border Services Agency facilities study.
• $119,200 for Fort McMurray International Airport for a business case to recapture lost passenger traffic.