Such passenger volumes weren’t expected for another dozen years. That’s why Edmonton Airports has unveiled plans for a $200-million upgrade, which will give it the airport capacity to handle 7.5 million passengers a year.

The $200-million upgrade will include adding four more gates to bring the total to 20, a new concourse, enlarging the trans-border area for passengers, expanding aircraft aprons and constructing new space for up to three large cargo aircraft. The new construction will mean the $15-per-ticket airport improvement fee instituted to pay for the previous expansion will remain in place. At least there are no plans to raise the charge, at least for now.

The expansion work will begin late this year and is scheduled to be complete in 2008. To increase flexibility, a common computer system is being developed so different airlines can use each other’s gates. The expansion will be funded with a low-interest loan from the province’s Alberta Capital Finance Authority.

Additionally, Edmonton Airports is now chasing financial backing for Port Alberta, a venture intended to make the city an international shipping hub. It would integrate various forms of transportation – air, road and rail – and capitalize on the airport’s exceptional access to major world markets and the north.

Already, work is underway to relocate the parking-fee collection booths further away from the terminal, to make room for 1,000 new parking spots in the parkade. Those spots are to begin operating next year. An additional 1,200 surface parking stalls are being added to the eastern side of the property.

The latest physical changes to the airport, called the Air Terminal Redevelopment (ATR), were launched in 1995. The enhancement and expansion doubled the space available and the facility’s passenger capacity.

The new and improved parts included a $127 million, 29,000 square metre Southeast Air Terminal Expansion and a $96 million Central Hall. Most recently, the original North Terminal, opened in 1963, was given an extreme makeover valued at $17,6 million.

Completed in late 2004, the work expanded the shops and services and improved holdroom facilities. The upgrades were completed with minimal disruption and were completed on time and within budget.

Sprawling over 17,000 square metres and reaching 18 metres upwards, Central Hall was completed in late 2003 and took its place as the focal point at Edmonton International. It connected the original 40-year-old terminal building with the southeast terminal expansion, completed in 2001.

The original terminal building was built during a time airports weren’t the most welcoming of places, with bland, dank and cavernous hallways that seemed to go nowhere and no visual connection to the planes or their comings and goings. Those days, thankfully, are long gone.

The new Central Hall contains a viewing mezzanine and departures and arrivals levels under a voluminous space which, at its maximum, reaches 18 metres vertical and provides dramatic views both air side and ground side. The extensive use of glazing, which allows generous natural light and superb visibility, make it easier for passengers to find their way and rendering a more pleasant work environment for facility personnel and airlines staff.

The exterior design takes its cue from the drama of the sky and landscape with extensive use of glass curtain wall, aluminum mullions and warm brick colour, compatible with the existing brick and the tinted (white) concrete of the parkade structure, built in the first phase of the ATR. The interior design connects to the region by features that include a ceiling treatment inspired by the North Saskatchewan River, a colour palate which evokes wheatfields and grasslands and materials including wood, tile floors and Tyndall stone detailing.

The ambience of the Jasper Park Lodge provided the inspiration for the interior, the main restaurant and in the concept for a central gas fireplace, which offers passengers a demarcation point and a place to meet and relax after going through security. Carpeting in the holdrooms takes its inspiration from a wheatfield colour palate using the patchwork quilt of fields and river as the source of the motif.

Central Hall includes about 12,000 square feet of additional news, gift and specialty concessions. Other key ingredients include an attractive “Meet and Greet” area for arriving passengers, enhanced food service and shopping options, a themed public observation area with views of runways and departure concourse and memorable art features. The Central Hall also contains a centralized Commuter Concourse to facilitate regional flights, vastly improving passenger convenience.

Despite doubling the overall size of the building, the latest expansion work consumes only about 10 per cent more energy. Such remarkable efficiency is achieved in part by using a new 1.9 million litre stratified chilled water storage tank, which allows up to 5,000 ton-hours of cooling load to be deferred to off peak hours. The innovative solution received the Consulting Engineers of Alberta Technology and Innovation Award and Environmental Award.

The Edmonton International Airport now ranks as Canada’s fifth busiest airport. Passenger volumes have risen sharply from 3.2 million in 1992 and this year will top five million for the first time. Given current projections, the latest expansion should give the airport enough room until at least 2015.

The next phase will continue to build on the foundation of a modern, safe and efficient facility. You could say business is really flying.