East road entrance planned for Grande Prairie Airport

Jul 26, 2018 | 2:25 PM

The Grande Prairie Airport has recently added a second security line and a confectionary in the holding area.

Airport Commission CEO Brian Grant says both additions have been well-used.

“The second line for pre-board screening security started on July 8 and it is used during our peak periods. For a couple of hours in the morning and the evening depending on the load factors for the aircraft; it will be staffed. We have had no back-up in security or long wait-times like we used to have. It certainly has alleviated the problems we were experiencing,” said Grant.

During the construction of the security aspect, the commission added a concession as well. Grant says it is exceeding their expectations as they offer beverages, snacks, and magazines for people waiting for a flight.

There are also plans for more expansion and additions in the airport area.

“We have just wrapped up our new Master Plan for the next 20-year phase. It will start to identify things we will start to work on as far as expansion. Construction on any of those projects won’t start until 2020.”

As they get into the budget cycle for 2019, Grant says there are plans to service some areas and the design of an east entrance road will begin.

According to Grant, there has been an uptick in passengers in the last two months. Month-over-month there has been an increase of 10.5 per cent of ridership compared to the same time last year.

by Justine Kelsie