Innisfail is set to reap the benefits of the Red Deer Airport's ongoing success, a fact will that soon grow in leaps and bounds as the transportation facility prepares for major expansion, local business leaders were told last week.
RJ Steenstra, chief executive officer for the Red Deer Regional Airport Authority, presented the optimistic vision for the local business community during a networking lunch hosted by the Innisfail and District Chamber of Commerce on March 9 at the Innisfail Royal Canadian Legion.
“Our vision is to be the gateway for Central Alberta. We really believe that this is possible for this region,” said Steenstra. “On an annual basis we're doing about 50,000 aircraft operations a year and that puts us in the top five in the country amongst our peer airports.”
Steenstra shared some background about the Red Deer Airport with chamber members in attendance, and provided a brief update on projects over the next couple of years, including a million-dollar runway expansion project slated to begin construction this spring.
“This is a significant step forward for the airport and for communities in Central Alberta,” said Steenstra.
He noted a linkage study and market assessment done a year ago by the airport that highlighted traffic numbers for Central Alberta, including potential numbers in the future.
“A thousand people a day out of Central Alberta are travelling on the highways going to Edmonton and Calgary. That's a total of 2,000 people back and forth between those three centres (including Red Deer),” explained Steenstra. “That way Innisfail makes a business case for why Red Deer Airport can serve and be a very viable commercial operation for an airline and for the community,” he added. “Almost 61,000 passengers plane and deplane out of Innisfail. That is in itself a significant number.”
Steenstra said the airport employs 225 people and has a $99-million direct and indirect economic impact in the region. The recent news of two new grain terminals in the area could provide an important economic benefit for the airport as well, he noted.
“It's business activity in the region and (is) similar to Montair (Aviation) having the confidence to invest in Central Alberta by locating their second base here,” he said. “It's all good activity and as the communities (in the region) continue to grow, we want to catch up and serve those communities in a more meaningful way.”
Carla Gabert, chamber manager, said it was great to have Steenstra in town.
“It is the first time we've had Red Deer Airport come and speak at a networking lunch,” said Gabert. “The growth of the airport is great for Central Alberta business. It will bring in more tourists and it's convenient for the local businesses if they're going to conferences and events,” she added. “There's been a lot of interest in the Red Deer Airport.”
Steenstra noted the positive impact an airport has on a region.
“It's already a significant asset for the region and we want to continue to see it grow,” said Steenstra. “It's with support from communities like Innisfail that we'll continue to see the steps that we need moving forward, and ultimately serve businesses that you own and serve your travel needs.”[email protected]
RJ Steenstra
"A thousand people a day out of Central Alberta are travelling on the highways going to Edmonton and Calgary.That way Innisfail makes a business case for why Red Deer Airport can serve and be a very viable commercial operation for an airline and for the community."
