Landing fees at Springbank Airport will be increasing in 2025, but it should have little impact on most recreational and small craft users.
The Calgary Airport Authority, which manages Springbank Airport, announced recently it would be increasing landing (also known as Tariff of Aviation) fees by 3.6 per cent as of February 1, 2025.
However, in an emailed response to an inquiry from this newspaper, the Calgary Airport Authority said the fee increase would not apply to most aircraft.
“These tariff fees are designed to balance affordability with operational needs,” the response from the Authority reads. “Roughly 90 per cent of aircraft movements at Springbank are not subject to landing fees, as Springbank exempts landing fees for piston aircraft and emergency landings.”
The current fee structure for tariffed aircraft landing in Springbank is $4.89 for every 1,000 kg of aircraft weighing 10,000 kg or less and $5.58 per every 1,000 kg of aircraft weighing 10,001 kg or more.
After February, the rates will increase to $5.07 per 1,000 kg and $5.78 per 1,000 kg respectively.
The Calgary Airport Authority said all fees collected in Springbank will be used for operations and maintenance in Springbank.
“The Calgary Airport Authority reviews its tariff annually to align with the cost of operating the airport,” it stated. “This year’s tariff increase is consistent with Calgary's Consumer Price Index for the past year. As a non-profit, all revenue generated at Springbank Airport is reinvested into its operations, ensuring continued service to the community.”
The Authority confirmed Springbank Airport accommodates approximately 130,000 annual aircraft movements a year, such as flight training, business flights, charters, aircraft maintenance, aerial forest fire suppression and recreational flight.
“The Calgary Airport Authority remains committed to maintaining cost-effective and sustainable operations while supporting the airport’s role in serving the community and aviation sector,” it stated.
The Calgary Flying Club is a major user of the Springbank Airport. It is a not-for-profit organization and the largest flight training unit in Alberta, which has been training pilots since 1927. Club GM Terry St. George said his organization currently flies 19 aircraft out of Springbank.
He confirmed that the impending landing fee increase would have no impact on his club.
“The fee increase does not affect us as we are exempt,” he said in an emailed communication. “All our aircraft are piston.”
When asked if he thought Springbank was affordable compared to other airports in the region, St. George said he felt it was.
“It is similar to most mid-size to larger airports,” he said.
A cursory search of the web of other nearby mid-sized city airports’ landing fees seems to back that conclusion.
Red Deer Airport charges landing fees of $3.56 per 1,000 kg for all aircraft, piston and turbine, weighing 1,650 kg and above, but does not charge any landing fees for those weighing under that.
Lethbridge Airport charges all domestic aircraft $5.73 per 1,000 kg for those weighing under 21,000 kg. $7.21 per 1,000 kg for those weighing between 21,000 and 45,000 kg. And $8.52 per 1,000 kg for those over 45,000 kg.
Medicine Hat charges $5.83 per 1,000 kg for aircraft under 21,000 kg. $7.12 per 1,000 kg for those weighing between 21,000 and 45,000 kg. And $8.33 per 1,000 kg for those weighing over 45,000 kg.
The Airdrie Air Park charges a flat fee of $10 per day for all aircraft types, which includes landing and parking.
