Halifax Stanfield International Airport Developments

[lawsond]

Wondering if anyone has any knowledge on this:
In most large airports, the departures area is on the top level and the arrivals underneath.
I notice the moving sidewalk ends up on the second level which would make sense for departing customers though right now, there's nothing on that level to speak of.
It seems as if the airport authority is prepping the airport for moving the check ins and other departure stuff onto the second level...which would mean you wouldn't have to go up escalators to get to the departure gates...as they are already built up on the second level.
Is that the master plan? It would make sense as all the gates are now up one storey from the checkin counters.

[alps]

I wouldn't think so, I don't think there is any room. Pretty sure the point of the pedway is just to keep people separated from the roadway. It should be noted that the US departure gates are on the second level though, and can be accessed from the moving conveyor via a walkway that may have opened by now. I don't know anything for sure, though.

[Dmajackson]

^The American pre-clearance is on the second floor right now which is why I imagine the moving sidewalk is up there right now since a lot of the flights head south for transfers internationally. I believe the customs and arrivals are already on the bottom floor so the only remaining things to move would be international and domestic flights. Since upstairs there is nothing on that section it wouldn't be hard to move.

[Dmajackson]

Airport wants buffer zone
Facility seeks development restriction to stave off possible noise complaints
By CHRIS LAMBIE Business Editor
Tue. Jan 12 - 4:46 AM

HALIFAX Stanfield International Airport wants to limit future development in an airplane-shaped tract of land surrounding the facility to stave off noise complaints from future neighbours.

The proposed restrictions around the airport, which would affect a piece of land more than 15 kilometres long and over 10 kilometres wide, will be discussed today at a Halifax regional council meeting.

"We operate 24-7 and we don’t have any noise restrictions," Peter Spurway, a Halifax International Airport Authority spokesman, said Monday.

"This would allow us to maintain that status, which is obviously important to us in the long run so that we will continue to have an uninhibited 24-7 operation."

In Vancouver and Montreal, development crept up to airports that once appeared to be on the edge of town, Mr. Spurway said.

"Before you know it, there’s a petition before a council to impose restrictions on the airport in order to meet the demands of the new property owners," he said.

The proposal, outlined in a municipal staff report, would limit new development where the noise level is forecasted to produce "sporadic to repeated individual complaints" and "group action is possible."

It wouldn’t impact existing developments or new developments on existing lots, said the report.

"Furthermore, uses that are not characterized as being noise-sensitive and that are currently allowed under the existing zoning will continue to be permitted," said the report.

"The greatest impact of the amendments would therefore be upon the establishment of new residential subdivision development."

The municipality is trying to avoid a situation where a developer amasses land around the airport and builds a subdivision, said Richard Harvey, a senior municipal planner.

"Then people move in and you have an instant compatibility issue," Mr. Harvey said Monday in an interview.

If council gives the go-ahead, staffers will hold a public meeting about the plan as soon as early next month, he said.

"No decision’s been made on whether to approve something or not," Mr. Harvey said.

Coun. Steve Streatch (Eastern Shore-Musquodoboit Valley) is opposed to the plan to limit development near the airport.

"It affects a lot of people there and I’ve got concerns," Mr. Streatch said.

"This involves communities around the Oldham area and the Goffs area and the Guysborough Road there, and over into the area of the Big Stop in Enfield and around Ledwidge Lumber. There’s a lot of land there that is privately owned and I know there will be concerns about having limitations put on it."

The proposed limitations would "infringe a bit on those people’s rights," he said.

"The noise, really, quite frankly, has never been an issue, except during the time of the air show. There were some concerns then; there was some pretty low-flying, high-powered machines there. But (other than that), I have never in 11 years had a noise complaint from that area.

"People know that they’re close to the airport and they know what to expect. So I think this is a little presumptuous, quite frankly, of the airport authority to be assuming that this may be as big an issue as some think it is."

Ledwidge Lumber Co. owns thousands of acres of land bordering the airport, said company spokeswoman Cassie Turple.

Most of it is used for forestry, but the company also sells lots in the area for residential purposes, she said.

"That seems kind of silly to me, just because I would think you would understand that you’re obviously going to have noise issues if you’re going to build your house next to an airport," Ms. Turple said of the proposed restrictions.

( [email protected] )

[worldlyhaligonian]

Wow, nobody can agree on anything in HRM... even hypothetical situations. We must look like idiots to everybody else in Canada.

Of course there should be a no development buffer... I can hear the people who bought homes in a subdivision next to the airport complaining already.... asking the airport to reduce flights or some nonsense heritage trust style argument. This aiport is sooo vital to our local economy.

How about a "No complaints" clause, that way potential NIMBYS (lol, it should be the other way around) can't complain about the airport.

[Wishblade]

What is so hard for people to understand? This shouldnt even be an issue.

If you choose you buy a house next to the airport, you can't possibly expect it to be quiet.

[hfx_chris]

Originally Posted by Bedford_DJ

"People know that they’re close to the airport and they know what to expect. So I think this is a little presumptuous, quite frankly, of the airport authority to be assuming that this may be as big an issue as some think it is."

Presumptuous yes, but for a good reason. Anyone else remember when all those new houses and subdivisions were going in around the Caldwell Road area, and all the noise complaints that started coming out of there because of Shearwater? Idiots. Build a house overlooking a military aerodrome and complain because they're flying at night. Give me a break.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Originally Posted by hfx_chris

Presumptuous yes, but for a good reason. Anyone else remember when all those new houses and subdivisions were going in around the Caldwell Road area, and all the noise complaints that started coming out of there because of Shearwater? Idiots. Build a house overlooking a military aerodrome and complain because they're flying at night. Give me a break.

Great example. That is utterly rediculous.


Anybody hear anything new on the airport hotel?

[hoser111]

Global Economic Uncertainty Stalls Airport Hotel Project
Airport Authority Expects to Revisit Hotel Development at Some Point

Halifax, N.S. – Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA) has decided to forego development of a new hotel at the airport in the short term, with the option to reactivate the project at some point in the future.

“When we considered the slower than expected recovery from the economic recession, the timing isn’t right to proceed at this point,” says Tom Ruth, President and CEO of HIAA. “There are still too many variables at play to allow us to move forward at this time.”

“We are very pleased with the co-operation we received from our potential partners, New Castle Hotels, LLC and Southwest Properties Limited, and it’s unfortunate that current circumstances are preventing us from moving forward with them.”

“Our desire to provide an on-site hotel for our passengers and visitors remains undiminished,” adds Ruth, “and this step does not preclude us from going forward with its development at some point down the road when the financial and developmental pictures are clearer and more stable.”

“We completely understand this decision,” says David Buffam, CEO, New Castle Hotels & Resorts. “I expect that we will maintain an interest in the project and may well find ourselves re-engaged with another proposal in the future.”

Jim Spatz, CEO of Southwest Properties, shares Mr. Buffam’s views, saying, "The long term prospects for this project remain very positive, however under the current economic climate, taking a step back is a prudent course of action.”

The project was placed in abeyance in early 2009 in response to the global economic downturn. That abeyance period ends on January 31, 2010. HIAA had been negotiating with New Castle and Southwest, to design, construct and manage a full service Sheraton Hotel connected to the terminal building at Halifax Stanfield International Airport.

[Jonovision]

Well at least this time they hadn't already started construction before they decided to stop. lol

[Wishblade]

I figured I'd just post this here instead of start a new thread:

Halifax Stanfield Welcomes Service to Philadelphia with US Airways

Halifax, N.S. – Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA) today announced new air service between Halifax and Philadelphia with US Airways. The new service will operate three times daily beginning on June 1, 2010. This marks US Airways’ first service to Halifax.
“We are very pleased to welcome US Airways to our community,” says Tom Ruth, HIAA President & CEO. “This announcement is great news for air travellers, and the Atlantic Canadian economy as a whole, and demonstrates our commitment to expanding air service in Halifax,” he says.

The year-round daily service to Halifax will be operated by US Airways Express partner Air Wisconsin on a 50-seat CRJ-200 regional jet. The non-stop service will depart Halifax at 7:40 a.m., 1:15 p.m., and 5:00 p.m.

“This new service to Philadelphia, three times a day, will provide both business and leisure travellers with more options, more choice, and direct access to another key U.S. market and major airline hub,” says Jerry Staples, HIAA Vice President Marketing & Business Development. “We have been working with US Airways on this route development for some time and are delighted to see it become a reality,” he says.

US Airways, along with US Airways Shuttle and US Airways Express, operates more than 3,000 flights per day and serves more than 190 communities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean, Central and South America.

[fenwick16]

Thanks for the information wishblade. Every additional destination makes the Nova Scotia area more competitve in attracting business to the province and all of the Maritime Provinces.

It would also be great to see more European destinations added. I would like to see the Halifax airport become more of a hub for Canadians and Americans travelling to Europe. This would also make it a more attractive destination for Europeans visiting Canada and the US.

[terrynorthend]

Wow. Three times daily to Philly. That seems like pretty high frequency for the route. I wonder how profitable it will be?

[Wishblade]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

Thanks for the information wishblade. Every additional destination makes the Nova Scotia area more competitve in attracting business to the province and all of the Maritime Provinces.

It would also be great to see more European destinations added. I would like to see the Halifax airport become more of a hub for Canadians and Americans travelling to Europe. This would also make it a more attractive destination for Europeans visiting Canada and the US.

I've always hoped Halifax would someday become a major hub into canada for european destinations. Much like how Vancouver is the hub for Asian travellers.

[hfx_chris]

I dunno, I think the majority of travelers heading to Europe would be from upper Canada, so it would just be an extra stop over for them..

[fenwick16]

It might not become a major hub because of the proximity of large centres like Boston, NY, and Montreal. However, some people could choose Halifax simply as a destination of choice as a stop on their way to other locations in the US and Canada (from Europe). Based on what I have read on sites like virtualtourist, this has already happened to a small extent. People from locations like UK sometimes choose Halifax because it shows up when they do a search on sites like expedia.com and they choose Halifax as a stopping point out of curiosity.

[planarchy]

Originally Posted by hfx_chris

I dunno, I think the majority of travelers heading to Europe would be from upper Canada, so it would just be an extra stop over for them..

This is true. A pain in the ass to touch down in Halifax if leaving from Montreal or Toronto.

I frequently fly from Halifax to Europe, so I'd like to see more destinations direct from Halifax in addition to London - Amsterdam, Paris, Zurich, Frankfurt, Rome are all possibilities - but I really don't think the volume is there. Only one flight daily goes from Halifax to London and while it's often full, I've also been on it with maybe 30 people. It was also one of Air Canada's last routes to add planes with the updated interiors (video screens, etc.), so this tells me AC doesn't really think much of the route. At the same time, there is no competition. It is AC or nothing. You can fly Iceland Air and maybe another discount airline like Condor in the summer months, or connect through the US, but there is nothing more convenient than AC.

I've tried Iceland Air (with no more than 15 people on the flight) and it just wasn't worth it, unless you really want to get off in Iceland for a few days. Otherwise the touchdown there was annoying. I think for the majority of travellers, Halifax would be the same if departing from a bigger city.

And three times daily seems crazy! Why are so many people going to Philadelphia?!!

[fenwick16]

Based on what I have read Philadelphia is a major hub for US Airways so this would be a transfer point to other cities. It is also at the centre of a densely populated geographical area (close to NY city, Washington, and Baltimore).

[Wishblade]

Originally Posted by planarchy

This is true. A pain in the ass to touch down in Halifax if leaving from Montreal or Toronto.

I frequently fly from Halifax to Europe, so I'd like to see more destinations direct from Halifax in addition to London - Amsterdam, Paris, Zurich, Frankfurt, Rome are all possibilities - but I really don't think the volume is there. Only one flight daily goes from Halifax to London and while it's often full, I've also been on it with maybe 30 people. It was also one of Air Canada's last routes to add planes with the updated interiors (video screens, etc.), so this tells me AC doesn't really think much of the route. At the same time, there is no competition. It is AC or nothing. You can fly Iceland Air and maybe another discount airline like Condor in the summer months, or connect through the US, but there is nothing more convenient than AC.

Well, our European connections are getting better. Currently I believe there are flights directly to and from Glasgow, Frankfurt, Paris, and of course London and Iceland. Im hoping a few more are added in the near future

[planarchy]

Originally Posted by Wishblade

Well, our European connections are getting better. Currently I believe there are flights directly to and from Glasgow, Frankfurt, Paris, and of course London and Iceland. Im hoping a few more are added in the near future

I don't think we have direct flights to Frankfurt or Paris - unless they have been added in the last 3 months or so. You can fly direct to Frankfurt on Condor I believe, but only from May - October, and it maybe 3 times per week at most (maybe only once). FlyGlobeSpan used to fly direct to Glasgow from Halifax, but they went Bankrupt in December 2009.

If you really do know of a direct flight from Halifax to Paris, please share! because as far as I know it doesn't currently exist - all AC currently fly via Montreal.