Calgary International Airport

Calgary International Airport
Control Tower
IATA: YYC – ICAO: CYYC – WMO: 71877
Summary
Airport type		Public
Owner		Transport Canada[1]
Operator		Calgary Airport Authority
Serves		Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Hub for		Air Canada Air Canada Express WestJet
Elevation AMSL		3,557 ft / 1,084 m
Coordinates		51°06′50″N 114°01′13″W / 51.11389°N 114.02028°W / 51.11389; -114.02028Coordinates: 51°06′50″N 114°01′13″W / 51.11389°N 114.02028°W / 51.11389; -114.02028
Website		www.calgaryairport.com
Map
CYYC Location in Calgary
Runways
Direction	Length		Surface
	ft	m
07/25	6,200	1,890	Asphalt
10/28	8,000	2,438	Asphalt
16/34	12,675	3,863	Asphalt
Statistics (2011)
Number of Passengers			12,770,998
Aircraft Movements			237,185
Sources: Canada Flight Supplement[2] Environment Canada[3] Passenger statistics from Airports Council International[4] Movements from Statistics Canada[5]

Calgary International Airport, originally named McCall Field (IATA: YYC, ICAO: CYYC), is the international airport that serves Calgary, Alberta, Canada and the surrounding region; it is situated approximately 17 km (11 mi) northeast of downtown Calgary. The airport offers scheduled non-stop flights to major cities in Canada, the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe and East Asia.

Calgary International Airport serves as headquarters for WestJet and as a hub airport for Air Canada and Air Canada Express. The airport is one of eight Canadian airports with US Border Preclearance facilities. The airport is operated by The Calgary Airport Authority as part of Transport Canada's National Airports System. It is Canada's fourth busiest airport by passenger traffic and third busiest by aircraft movements, handling 12,770,988 passengers^[4] and 237,185 movements in 2011.^[5] In October 2008, The Calgary Airport Authority was named one of Alberta's Top Employers by Mediacorp Canada Inc.^[6][7]

History [edit]

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Calgary International Airport has come a long way since its inception in 1914. Situated in Bowness, 10 kilometres northwest of the city centre, the original airfield consisted of a grass airstrip and a ramshackle hut, which served as both hangar and terminal building.

The Calgary Municipal Airport at Refrew was established in 1928. Several of the hangars still exist and are in use today, even though the area has been converted to a residential neighbourhood. In 1938, the facility moved to its present location in Calgary's northeast and was christened McCall Field, in honour of Captain Fred McCall, a World War I flying ace and one of Calgary's pioneer aviators.

In 1940, the airport was taken over by the Federal Department of Transport to serve the war effort and was not returned to its original owner, the City of Calgary, until 1949. During this time the federal government expanded the airport to include four runways and five wartime hangers. 1949 airport diagram

Although the airport had expanded during the war effort, it desperately needed a new terminal to meet the city's growing needs. In 1956, Canada's most modern air terminal opened in the southwest corner of the airport. But sadly, when the jet age thundered in five years later, the new terminal became obsolete and the City of Calgary was forced to return to the drawing board.

As resources were not forthcoming to upgrade the facility, in 1966 the City of Calgary sold the airport to Transport Canada for two million dollars, along with a commitment to spearhead the airport's ascension into the jet age. It was about this time that the facility became known as Calgary International Airport.

True to their word, Transport Canada launched an ambitious program of land acquisition and airfield construction and in November of 1977 the terminal building that we see today opened, and with it came the modern age of aviation.

On July 1, 1992, The Calgary Airport Authority assumed responsibilities for the operation and expansion of the airport. Today, Calgary International Airport is a world class facility committed to creating a positive, engaging experience for passengers and to setting the standard for the industry.

The terminal building boasts over 135 shops, restaurants and services, as well as a 296 room four star Delta Hotel and a space-themed visitor attraction - Spaceport. Over 15,000 people are part of the airport community and The Calgary Airport Authority is a major contributor to the prosperity of the Calgary region with a total GDP impact of $6 billion.

In 2008, Calgary International Airport reached new heights with passenger volume increasing 2.0 per cent to 12.5 million passengers annually, making YYC the fourth busiest airport in Canada. It has become Alberta's premier international gateway and the destination of choice for passengers, airlines and cargo operations.

Over $1 billion has been invested since 1992 to renovate and expand airport infrastructure and a further $3 billion investment is currently forecast over the next 10 years to meet the needs of the trading region. A new International Terminal Building, new parking structures and a 14,000 foot parallel runway are just some of the initiatives in place that will ensure that Calgary International Airport remains a premier global gateway capable of accommodating a significant increase in passengers and also new and larger aircraft of the future.

Terminal [edit]

Inside the terminal

The terminal has four concourses, one of which is subdivided into two wings, one wing to accommodate international flights, and another wing to accommodate international flights to the United States utilizing the airport's US border pre-clearance facilities. Plans for a fifth concourse are also being developed.^[8]

The structure was designed by Stevenson, Raines, Barret, Hutton, Seton and Partners and completed in 1977.^[9]

Concourse A [edit]

Part of Concourse A, usually reserved for prop operations

Comprising gates 1-19, Concourse A is used mostly for domestic outbound flights, although US-bound flights (without US Pre-Clearance) and other international flights sometimes depart from the A-gates. However, as this concourse is not connected to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) hall, only domestic flights arrive into concourse A. Gates 1 to 8 are ground boarding and utilized for most Air Canada Express flights (excluding flights operating on the CRJ 705) and all Central Mountain Air flights. Gates 9 to 19 are jet-bridged and are used for Air Canada and Air Canada Express flights. The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge is located immediately beyond security on Concourse A. Concourse A has five security lanes that handle all passengers departing from either the A or B Concourse.

Concourse B [edit]

Airport overview, Concourse A at right, D at left

Gates 20-28 are swing gates between Concourse B and C. Any US bound flight is treated as a "C" Gate, whereas any Canadian-bound/International-bound flight is treated as a "B" Gate. Concourse A and B are connected behind security by a walkway, facilitating connections for Air Canada and Air Canada Express flights. When all Gates in the B/C section are "C" gates, then this walkway is closed due to US Customs & Border Protection pre-clearance for US-bound flights. Air Canada and Air Canada Express flights use the B concourse for domestic arrivals and domestic departures; Air Canada also uses it for international arrivals and international departures. During domestic and international operations all passenger utilize Concourse A security lanes. Concourse B security lanes were permanently closed in 2011 with the equipment and holdroom being transferred for additional security lanes at Concourse C.

Concourse C [edit]

Gates 20 to 34 are swing gates. Gates 31 to 34 will swing between Concourse C and D. On flights originating in Calgary passengers bound for the United States go through US Customs & Border Protection pre-clearance prior to boarding their flights. The flight is then treated on arrival in the U.S. as a domestic flight. Concourse C has six dedicated security lanes after US pre-clearance facilities. Concourse C is only used for US bound flights. The C concourse contains the Servisair Calgary Rocky Mountain lounge (co-branded as the WestJet Lounge).^[10]

Concourse D [edit]

Gates 31 to 50 are located on this concourse. Gates 31 to 34 can also be used for US-bound flights and are shared with Concourse C. Gates 41, 42, 43 and 44 can be utilized for international arrivals and departures. There are five security lanes dedicated to Concourse D flights. The D concourse contains the Servisair Calgary Chinook lounge (co-branded as the WestJet Lounge).^[10]

International terminal [edit]

When built, the International Terminal will feature 22 gates; including two designed to accommodate an Airbus A380. The project will be completed by October 2015.^[11][12]

Airlines and destinations [edit]

Scheduled airlines and destinations [edit]

Charter airlines and destinations [edit]

Cargo [edit]

Other operations [edit]

Main airport hall

The following airlines operate out of their own private facilities:

• Alta Flights
• Bar XH Air
• ConnectAir
• Kenn Borek Air
• North Cariboo Air
• Sunwest Aviation
• Swanberg Air^[13]
• Enerjet
• Canjet

Ground transport [edit]

Construction of the new runway resulted in April 2011 in the permanent closure of Barlow Trail and McCall Way's connections between Airport Road and McKnight Boulevard to the south; road access to the rest of Calgary now requires motorists to drive north of the airport (away from downtown) on Barlow and access either Deerfoot Trail via Airport Trail or 36 Street or Metis Trail via Country Hills Boulevard. A road tunnel that will facilitate a direct link to Metis Trail via Airport Trail is under construction in concert with the runway development.

At Bus Bay #20, Calgary Transit Route #100 connects the Arrivals level of the airport to the McKnight-Westwinds CTrain Station and #430 to the North Pointe Terminal, where passengers can board the BRT Route #301 to downtown. The new BRT Route #300 ^[14] provides direct access to and from Downtown Calgary via Deerfoot Trail/Highway 2 and Centre Street North. There is a special fare of $8.00 for users of Route #300 departing the Airport (fare must be purchased in the terminal at Macs stores and includes subsequent transfers). Also, the Airporter bus links the airport to several downtown hotels. Brewster transportation^[15] and Banff Airporter^[16] offer scheduled service to the nearby mountain tourist destinations including Banff. Taxis to downtown Calgary cost about $40, taking into account the longer route that must now be travelled due to the closure of Barlow Trail and McCall Way.

Ground handling [edit]

View of downtown Calgary from airport

There are only a few ground handling companies in Calgary but each provides different services to the airlines they serve.

Airport Terminal Services [edit]

Airport Terminal Services (ATS) provides cargo, passenger, and ramp services to select airlines in Calgary. Ramp services are provided to Horizon Air, Delta Air Lines, Compass Airlines, United Express (Skywest), Delta Connection (Skywest), American Airlines, and United Airlines. Cargo handling services are provided to UPS and DB Schenker.

Air Canada [edit]

Air Canada and Air Canada Express operations at the Calgary International Airport.

Servisair [edit]

Servisair provides cargo, lounge, passenger, and ramp services in Calgary. Passenger services are provided to Air Transat, Sunwing Airlines, and US Airways. Ramp services are provided to Air North, British Airways, KLM, Sunwing Airlines, the RAF, as well as many ad hoc carriers. Cargo ground handling for Cargolux is also performed. Servisair also operates a business lounge for airlines using the C (USA) and D Concourses.

WestJet Turn Around Crew (TAC) [edit]

WestJet TAC is the sole provider of ground handling services for WestJet at Calgary International Airport.

WingTips Airport Services [edit]

WingTips Airport Services (WingTips) provides passenger services for Air North and KLM.

Cargo facilities [edit]

Apron II is the main cargo facility at the airport which can park up to four Boeing 747s. Apron VII is also used as a cargo facility, primarily for FedEx Express and Purolator Courier. FedEx is among the cargo carriers that use Calgary as a hub at Apron VII. Purolator has a facility in the northwest corner of the field adjacent to Apron VII. Apron VII used to hold just two Boeing 727s but has been able to park an additional three McDonnell Douglas MD-11s for FedEx since November 2004.

As of November 2007, expansion construction are in progress for Apron VII to allow seven parking pads, including three for Purolator and four for FedEx. UPS Airlines has begun construction of a new centre, including an apron directly southeast of FedEx's facility.

General aviation [edit]

General aviation facilities are located on the south side of the field. These facilities include a Shell Aerocenter, an Esso Avitat, a customs building, and more.

Other facilities [edit]

WestJet has its corporate headquarters on the airport property.^[17] Zip previously had its headquarters in Hangar 101.^[18] Canadian Regional Airlines had its headquarters at the airport.^[19][20]

Runways [edit]

Current Runways

• Runway 16/34 is 12,675 ft × 200 ft (3,863 m × 61 m)
• Runway 10/28 is 8,000 ft × 200 ft (2,400 m × 61 m)
• Runway 07/25 is 6,200 ft × 200 ft (1,900 m × 61 m)

Decommissioned Runways

• Runway 02/20 was 4,350 ft × 150 ft (1,330 m × 46 m)
• Runway 11/29 was 4,635 ft × 150 ft (1,413 m × 46 m)

A new runway currently under construction will be called 16L/34R when operational in 2014. It will be 14,000 ft × 200 ft (4,300 m × 61 m),^[21] which according to the airport's website will be the longest runway in Canada.^[22] A tunnel running underneath the new runway will connect Airport Trail with Metis Trail NE. Barlow Trail closed on April 3, 2011.^[23]

The long runway length can be attributed to the relatively high elevation, 3,557 ft (1,084 m),^[2] of the airport and the need to support the largest passenger aircraft types. Aircraft require more distance to take off at higher elevations, because of the reduced air density associated with altitude.

In addition to the current runways in operation the airport has had two runways decommissioned over the years Runway 02/20 was closed and part of it is still open as a taxiway V and 11/29 was decommissioned and ran where Palmer Road is now situated. The remnants of the runways and associated taxi ways are in various states of decay but can still be seen at the airport. 07/25 served as the main east west runway until 10/28 was built. The taxiway to 25 was closed when 02/20 was decommissioned meaning aircraft had to backtrack the length of the runway.

Two runways were upgraded Runway 16/34 was extended from its original length of 6,410 to 12,675 feet and both 07/25 and 16/34 were widened from 150 to 200 feet to accommodate wider aircraft.

Accidents and incidents [edit]

On 7 May 1982, Douglas C-47A C-FQHF of Kenn Borek Air overran the runway following an aborted take-off.^[24] The aircraft was damaged beyond economic repair.^[25]

On 22 Mar 1984, Boeing 737-275 of Pacific Western Airlines with 119 people on board; suffered an uncontained engine failure on the #1 engine during takeoff. The debris penetrated and ignited fuel in the left wing. The aircraft was evacuated by slides, and the fire consumed the aircraft.^[26]

References [edit]

External links [edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Calgary International Airport

• Calgary International Airport Homepage
• Page about this airport on COPA's Places to Fly airport directory
• Past three hours METARs, SPECI and current TAFs for Calgary International Airport from Nav Canada as available.
• Video from plane taking off at YYC