Airport changes underway to accommodate Flair Airlines

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on September 28, 2022.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman Lethbridge airport manager Cameron Prince, speaks to media about the latest changes the airport is going through to accommodate for the 16-week trail of Flair Airlines Tuesday at the Lethbridge Airport.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

Construction at the Lethbridge Airport has resumed, as some final touches are needed in anticipation of Flair Airlines’ 16-week trial to test the viability of the low cost carrier in Lethbridge starting on Dec. 1.

Passengers flying in and out of Lethbridge Airport terminal during the trial can expect to see some temporary modifications, but the ongoing construction is not anticipated to cause interruptions to current air service.

“In order to accommodate the larger aircraft we’re going to make some more changes to the building that includes increased holding room capacity after you go through screening, baggage drop and space for customs for international arrivals,” said Cameron Prince, airport manager.

He said one of the biggest changes to the arrivals dynamic is the need for Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) for international flights.

“When you do arrive from Tucson, instead of going through the hold room like you normally do now, you’ll have to go through a different process that will be similar to what you see at other international airports. It’ll be a much more condensed process, but it’ll be through CBSA, grab your bags in a different area where it’s more secluded from the domestic passengers and then you carry on just as you would normally,” said Prince.

He said they have been working hard to accommodate the changes while still preserving the renovations done to the airport last year.

“Everything is going well, there’s obviously hiccups along the way with supply chain and things like that, but everything is going well,” said Prince.

Other changes include the extension of Taxiway B to enable future development of airside access lots, a temporary wall to separate international arrival passengers and baggage, and repaving of one of the runways.

Prince said the cost is estimated at around $500,000 and it has been funded through the Regional Air Transportation Initiative.

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