Halifax Stanfield International Airport Developments

[halifaxboyns]

This will mean that Halifax will have the longest runway east of Montreal for a Canadian Airport. We will be about 300' longer than than Gander which is the longest in the maritimes. Put another way, the runway will be 3.2 km long.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by q12

Halifax Stanfield to Upgrade Facilities and Services

http://www.hiaa.ca/default.asp?id=19....1.262.291.666

August 2, 2012

Requires Airport Improvement Fee Adjustment
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Highlights of HIAA’s comprehensive capital plan include the following major infrastructure improvements:

- Expand both Domestic/International and US Preclearance check-in halls to accommodate new passenger processing models for increased capacity and efficiency;

- Upgrade baggage handling and baggage screening systems to improve security and increase efficiency;

- Extend the main runway to 10,500 feet to accommodate larger cargo and passenger aircraft;

- Expand the US Preclearance holdroom to increase capacity;

- Replace three emergency response/fire vehicles for greater safety;

- Reconfigure airport roadways to increase traffic capacity; and

- Expand and upgrade utility infrastructure.

“These improvements are required to meet the needs of our current and future passengers and visitors, allowing us to compete effectively for new business and to adapt to the long-term needs of our airline partners,” says Ruth.

There are three ways major Canadian airports like Halifax Stanfield can fund necessary capital improvements – reinvest operating surpluses, borrow, and use the Airport Improvement Fee (AIF). Like other airports, HIAA uses all three. Operating surpluses will continue to be reinvested; funds from HIAA’s two bond issues will continue to be used; and the AIF is being changed to $25 from $20, effective January 1, 2013. This change will be reflected on airline tickets sold on or after October 1, 2012 for Halifax passengers whose flight departs on or after January 1, 2013.

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It is great to see all the improvements taking place but I am concerned with the high Airport Improvement Fee of $25 (starting January 1 2013).

When will the runway extension be complete? Have the improvements to the south end of the terminal started?

[q12]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

This will mean that Halifax will have the longest runway east of Montreal for a Canadian Airport. We will be about 300' longer than than Gander which is the longest in the maritimes. Put another way, the runway will be 3.2 km long.

Almost the longest, Goose Bay's longest runway is 11,000 feet.

Originally Posted by fenwick16

It is great to see all the improvements taking place but I am concerned with the high Airport Improvement Fee of $25 (starting January 1 2013).

When will the runway extension be complete? Have the improvements to the south end of the terminal started?

Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, and even Sydney charge $25 departure fees.

The runway should be finished in November.

The south end terminal (Domestic/International check-in halls) construction hasn't started yet as far as I know. However if they are also expanding the US Preclearance holdroom capacity and US Preclearance check-in halls then very soon we could see both North and South ends of the terminal under construction.

[halifaxboyns]

The exterior seems to be going up quite quickly on the airport hotel...

[q12]

Cargojet Sprouts Brussels Flight

http://www.halifaxgateway.com/en/hom.../cargojet.aspx

Cargojet is streamlining Eastern Canada’s seafood export market with the addition of a direct flight from Halifax to Europe. The newly scheduled ‘fish flight’ addresses the challenge of trucking European-bound lobster to airports in Montreal or Boston by getting the fresh seafood to market a day faster.

Recognized as Canada’s largest air freighter service, Cargojet offers on-time reliability. Its fleet of 13 allcargo aircraft transport over 550,000 pounds of time sensitive air cargo each business night, predominantly to major cities in Canada and also into the U.S., and Europe.

Market demand for air cargo’s fast delivery to market is on the rise, primarily due to the short production cycles of high tech goods like iPhones and consumer demand for international delicacies. This is especially true for Atlantic Canada, a region that supplies 55 per cent of the worldwide lobster market.

“Cargojet offers shared capacity and costs to multiple shippers so customers only pay for the space they need.” Porteous says. “Essentially, we make it easier and more accessible for businesses to grow regionally, nationally and globally.”

Cargojet has 44 commercial agreements signed with multiple international carriers providing customers airfreight connections around the world.

Over 29,000 metric tonnes of cargo is shipped annually via the Halifax Stanfield International Airport. This number is expected to grow as the airport extends its runway to 10,500 feet. A longer runway enables the airport to handle larger wide-bodied aircraft and positions Halifax as a major air cargo gateway.

This new website has some interresting information about Halifax's advantage as an east coast gateway. http://www.halifaxgateway.com

This was in the herald today listing some of the impressive statistics last year in 2011:




Here is some more statistics from the gateway's website.

Halifax Gateway’s convenient and
modern infrastructure and services
include:

• The only U.S. preclearance
facility in Atlantic Canada and
24/7 customs services

• A natural, ice-free harbour that
is only one day’s sail from New York

• At 65 feet…the deepest cargo
berths on North America’s east coast

• On-dock, double-stack rail service
to over 43% of the North American
population

• The Atlantic Gateway–Halifax
Logistics Park with transloading
services minutes from Border Services
and next to 5 major highways.

[q12]

Updated route map from the airport's SOAR Halifax magazine

[fenwick16]

Here is something for Airport enthusiasts: (EDITED: I see the NS Lung Association website is currently down. But it was a notice for a 5K run at the Halifax Airport alongside the extended runway scheduled for Sunday, Oct 28, 2012)

(source: http://www.hiaa.ca/ and http://www.ns.lung.ca/runwayrun/ )

[halifaxboyns]

The value of Halifax Stanfield International Airport as a Nova Scotia asset increased by about $11 million to a total of $1.26 billion in 2011, says the facility’s operator.

An economic impact report released Tuesday by Halifax International Airport Authority said the airport and its partners had tremendous impact last year on Halifax and the province as an economic generator and growth creator.

“Even in the face of global economic challenges, Halifax Stanfield continues to play an important role as an employer and contributor to the Nova Scotia economy,” Tom Ruth, authority president and chief executive officer, said in a news release.

Among other things, the report said there were an equivalent of 5,260 full-time jobs linked directly to the airport in 2011.

“About two-thirds of airport community workers live in rural areas of Nova Scotia, and their total wages and salaries amount to over $325 million,” Ruth said.

Major employers include IMP Group, Air Canada and Jazz, all of whom provide the equivalent of 2,096 full-time jobs, about 40 per cent of the airport workforce.

The airport’s 2011 economic impact study shows the facility’s $1.26 billion value as an asset is based on gross output generated by airlines, air freight firms, retailers and other companies involved directly or indirectly with the air transportation industry.

The rest of the Chronicle Herald story is located here.

[fenwick16]

MOMBOURQUETTE: Runners set to fly
October 22, 2012 - 3:56pm By ANGELA MOMBOURQUETTE


Five-kilometre run on airport runway set for Sunday


To me, it's just kind of a novel concept for a fundraising run. But to Louis Brill, it's much more than that.

This coming Sunday, Oct. 28, runners are going to have the unique opportunity to run straight down the newly extended runway at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport as part of a fundraising event for the Lung Association of Nova Scotia. Pretty cool, indeed.

But to Brill, who is the association's president and CEO, it's also hugely symbolic of “opening Nova Scotia to the world” because of the economic potential the extended runway, which will accommodate cargo aircraft with bigger payloads, brings to the region.

“The theme for the race is 'Halifax is taking off, ' ” says Brill. “Right now, we have the shipbuilding contract, we have an increase in the number of cruise ship visitors and we have this runway -- all opportunities for a more positive future. (We've just had) a municipal election, and I think the opportunity is there for municipal leaders to really grab hold of this positive momentum. We simply want to be a part of it.”
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full story - http://thechronicleherald.ca/hcw/152...ers-set-to-fly

This activity took place today; maybe some of the participants will post pictures online somewhere. I would like to see how the extended runway looks. So the extended runway should be open to aircraft soon?

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

This activity took place today; maybe some of the participants will post pictures online somewhere. I would like to see how the extended runway looks. So the extended runway should be open to aircraft soon?

No, it's being delayed until they install a bike lane.

[fenwick16]

I found this image on the internet showing the runway extension taken on September 13, 2012:

(source: Transport Canada - http://www.flickr.com/photos/transportcanada/ )

[q12]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

So the extended runway should be open to aircraft soon?

The new 10,500 ft runway should have planes using it in less than 2 weeks from what I understand.

[halifaxboyns]

The new hotel is looking really interesting. I love the way the sign looks on the roof - it's very interesting.

[halifaxboyns]

Interesting article playing up Halifax's geography and how YHZ will play a crucial role in the 'Halifax advantage' (as I call it).

Location, location is what it’s about
Stanfield International Airport is one of the crucial components that enhance Halifax’s geographic advantages. (TED PRITCHARD / Staff)

Some commercial operators are coming to Halifax to check out how Nova Scotia might help them benefit from megaprojects underway in Newfoundland and Labrador or proposed for Canada’s North.

“It’s really important we get particular companies here to show them what’s happening in the background here,” Nancy Phillips, executive director of the Halifax Gateway, said Tuesday.

The logistical infrastructure involved in handling megaprojects in Atlantic Canada has implications for businesses interested in transporting goods to and from the region, she said.

A delegation of North American business representatives is to arrive today for two days of talks and tours that are part of the Halifax Logistics Park Summits, which are sponsored by the Halifax Gateway Council. A delegation from Europe visits Nov. 27-28, while a group from Asia visits next March.

Joyce Carter, Halifax Gateway Council chairwoman, said Halifax has geographic advantages when it comes to benefiting from the estimated $100 billion in megaprojects underway, or scheduled to begin, in Atlantic Canada in coming years.

The rest of the herald story is here.

[q12]

November 15, 2012

Extended Runway Fully Operational

Right on schedule, the newly extended main runway (05/23) at Halifax Stanfield International Airport is fully operational today. Construction to lengthen the runway to 10,500 feet is now substantially complete. The runway is open and being used.

Since September 26, 2011, work has been underway to extend the runway by 1,700 feet, with 1,330 feet added to the south end (by Old Guysborough Road) and 370 feet at the north end (toward Enfield).

Work included excavation, backfilling, and paving, associated airfield electrical and lighting components, connecting service roads, relocation and replacement of major navigational aids on both runway ends, and replacement of the Category II high intensity approach lighting system at the north end of the runway.

Flight operations began early this morning with the following first flights:

First cargo arrival: Flightcraft B727 at 5:09 a.m.
First cargo departure: Cargojet B727 at 5:10 a.m.

First passenger arrival: WestJet B737 flight # 228 from Calgary at 6:24 a.m.
First passenger departure: Air Canada A320 flight # 603 to Toronto at 5:50 a.m.

http://www.hiaa.ca/default.asp?id=19....1.262.291.666

Airporter firm may rev up service again
November 16, 2012 - 6:38pm BY REMO ZACCAGNA BUSINESS REPORTER

http://thechronicleherald.ca/busines...-service-again

[fenwick16]

Thanks for the news q12. I wonder if they will now consider extending the other runway by 1000 - 1500 feet?

[q12]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

Thanks for the news q12. I wonder if they will now consider extending the other runway by 1000 - 1500 feet?

It's possible they might. It all depends if the need would be there. The new long runway can handle any plane fully loaded even in poor weather conditions. The other runway can handle most of the flights when the wind is in a less favorable direction for the long runway.

Seafood flights that will depart this December can now depart fully loaded without any issues (i.e. B747 freighters).

[halifaxboyns]

Boutique hotel to open doors at airport in April

Barring unforeseen circumstances, the $27-million ALT Hotel Halifax being built at Halifax airport is slated to greet its first guest in April.

Christiane and Jean-Yves Germain, co-presidents of hotel developer Le Groupe Germain of Quebec, were in Halifax on Thursday to highlight some of the features and amenities of the 14-storey, 169-room facility that will be a stone’s throw from the departures terminal.

“We want to give people a taste of what our new ALT brand is,” Christiane Germain said in an interview.

Le Groupe Germain owns and operates two hotel brands. Le Germain is its upper-scale boutique concept in Quebec, Montreal, Toronto and Calgary, while ALT is its limited-service, three-star, no-frills chic concept.

The first ALT hotel was opened on Montreal’s South Shore in September 2007 and five more have been built since, including one recently completed at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

“I have to tell you, though, from the first one we opened in 2007, we haven’t changed much,” said Christiane Germain.

“It’s in line with the boutique hotel concept, but it’s more affordable and it really has this beautiful design touch. It’s a three-star, but it’s a sophisticated three-star, just made to measure for Halifax.”

While the room design and decor has remained largely untouched over the years, the company implemented changes to the arrangement and feel of the lobby area at its ALT hotel in Toronto, which will be carried over to the one at Halifax Stanfield International Airport.

Here is the rest of the story.

[Dmajackson]

Airport-area hotel plan finally gets clearance
December 19, 2012 - 7:04pm BY REMO ZACCAGNA BUSINESS REPORTER

After a delay of more than a year, a Toronto-area developer is getting ready to take off on a new hotel near the Halifax airport in early spring.

Manga Hotels of Mississauga, Ont., is behind the proposed Courtyard by Marriott, a seven-storey, 153-room hotel that is to include a 5,000-square-foot conference room at 150 Pratt and Whitney Dr.

Initially, Sukhdev Toor, Manga’s president and chief executive officer, had stated his intention to start work in the fall of 2011.

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([email protected])

Read More: thechronicleherald.ca

Project is on the waiting list for the Compilation Thread.

[bluenoser]

Interesting. The Manga website lists it as in the 'hotel village' which I guess it is now.


http://www.mangahotels.com/newdevelopments.htm