Some new upgrades and improvements are set for Springbank Airport in 2025.
Chris Dinsdale, President and CEO of the Calgary Airport Authority, made a presentation at last week's City of Calgary council meeting.
Springbank is in Rocky View County but managed by the Calgary Airport Authority. Dinsdale said it serves as a training centre for both firefighters and pilots.
"We saw 140,000 aircraft movements - that's take offs and landings - at Springbank in 2024, making it the eighth busiest airport in the country," Dinsdale explained. "That's more movements than Edmonton."
Dinsdale said the Calgary International Airport, which includes data from Springbank, saw record numbers in commercial revenues and traveller numbers - totalling 18.9 million passengers all together for 2024.
He called it a turbulent year, from the bankruptcy of Calgary-based Lynx Air to multiple strikes, and especially the hailstorm in August.
But looking ahead, the airport authority president said there are lots of positives ahead for the region's two airports, particularly Springbank.
"Springbank is busy little airport," he noted. "You don't hear much about it, and quite honestly, revenue is low. I wouldn't say zero, but it is low against the multi-million per year that it takes to operate."
Dinsdale did note the Springbank Airport plays a vital role for Calgary and beyond.
"It's something that our ecosystem needs and that our community needs," Dinsdale said. "We're happy to continue with that."
Plans for Springbank Airport include connecting it fully to the water system and acquiring new snow clearing equipment.
"We're putting a lot of money into that," Dinsdale said. "We will restore one of its runways, which is in dire need of a new pavement overlay."
Cost or an official timeline was not released at the council meeting.
Springbank Airport is located at 175 Maclaurin Dr, just north of Highway 1, on the opposite side of Calaway Park.
The Airport began operations in February 1969 and was officially opened in July 1971. It's since become Alberta’s second-busiest airport in terms of aircraft movements.
Springbank's call letters are YBW.
