Traffic on the rise at Brandon airport

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This article was published 03/01/2024 (702 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon Municipal Airport saw an almost 40 per cent increase in air traffic in 2023, signalling a promising growth trajectory for the region.

Airport manager Greg Brown said the presence of the Air Cadet glider program, graduating about 30 students, contributed to the increase.

“The aircraft movements increased from around 50,000 to close to 70,000 in 2023, and the majority of the increase is flight training,” Brown said.

The increase in air traffic, he said, is fuelled by a convergence of flight training activities and scheduled services by WestJet of 1,000 annual aircraft movements.

On anticipated developments in 2024, Brown said the airport’s main agenda for the upcoming year is the resurfacing of the main runway (08-26), taxiway and apron, set for the summer of 2024.

“The substantial $10 million allocated by the federal government … will fund this crucial repair project,” he said. “During the construction period, some reduction in runway length would occur, impacting aircraft operations, but daily WestJet flights to Calgary will continue unabated throughout the period.”

The funding from Ottawa, he said, comes through Transport Canada’s Airports Capital Assistance Program.

The taxiway is a strip that runs parallel to the runway that aircraft use to get from the terminal to the end of the runway, so it doesn’t interfere with other aircraft landing or taking off.

The apron is the area where an aircraft is parked, loaded, unloaded, refuelled, maintained and boarded.

Despite the renovation, expansion in terms of new flight routes, such as direct flights from Toronto to Brandon, isn’t presently on the agenda. “WestJet has not proposed new routes for 2024 but confirmed the continuation of their daily service to Calgary,” Brown said.

The coming year, he added, will also see the finalization of the airport master plan, which will steer the airport’s progression until 2043 and align with the Brandon City Plan. This comprehensive plan, he said, is pivotal in charting the future growth and operations of the airport.

“The Brandon airport stands as a crucial hub not only for aviation but also as an economic catalyst for the region,” he said. “Beyond aviation users, the airport’s role is fostering business activities.”

The Brandon airport, he said, serves as an entry point for aircraft carrying 15 passengers or less, facilitating customs clearance for small aircraft. This capability proves beneficial for the city, he said, as it accommodates private charters from the U.S. for business purposes, contributing to the accessibility of commercial air services and air ambulance operations.

With the federal funding secured and plans in motion, Brown said Brandon Municipal Airport is gearing up for a bustling and transformative year ahead, balancing critical renovations with its ongoing service commitments.

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