Alberta airports unveil cargo plans

IanO · 28-09-2006, 10:55 AM

Alberta airports unveil cargo plans

Plans for Alberta's air cargo industry are about to take off in this province

By Laura Severs - Business Edge
Published: 09/15/2006 - Vol. 6, No. 19

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Both the Calgary and Edmonton airport authorities are in the midst of rolling out strategies to put their respective cities on the radar screens of the world's cargo carriers.

Edmonton Airports is unveiling its Port Alberta initiative while the Calgary Airport Authority has just approved a 10-year cargo and logistics development plan.

Both are looking at different ways of making Western Canada more competitive.

Edmonton wants to capitalize on its untapped potential: The largest airport (in terms of land) in Canada with scheduled air service and two long runways capable of landing virtually any aircraft flying today - even the new Airbus A380, which will be the world's largest passenger aircraft when it enters into service.

Photo courtesy of Calgary Airport Authority
Calgary Airport Authority vice-president of business development Stephan Poirier wants to increase the airport's profile.
It's also highlighting its location next to Canada's largest industrial park, the Nisku Business Park, the second- largest oil and gas manufacturing park in North America after Houston.

"We recognize that the Edmonton market is vastly underserved in terms of air cargo," says Glen Vanstone, director of cargo and business innovations for Edmonton Airports. "Currently the air cargo market in Alberta is growing, but what we want to do is make sure we're positioned so we can capture all the air cargo growth potential for the Greater Edmonton Region."

Vanstone also notes that with Edmonton being the country's most northern major airport, it puts it at the crossroads of major North American air tracks (the highways of the sky).

"Air traffic from Europe to the Western U.S. crosses over Edmonton, and from Asia to the U.S. Midwest and Eastern U.S., traffic also crosses over Edmonton. Being at the intersection of these major routes or air tracks is very strategic," says Vanstone.

He adds that the airport's role as part of the federal government's transshipment program, in which air carriers carry cargo to and from Canada enroute to third countries, is very valuable.

Combining the efficiencies of air, rail and road transportation at a single point is being called the "Port Alberta" concept.

"What this does is it allows us to function effectively as a gateway to and from Asia, Canada's North, the oilsands, and for all of North America," says Vanstone. "It's a new strategic link in the global supply chain."

Calgary airport officials are also eyeing that global supply chain.

"For us, the most important thing is to increase our profile and try to attract logistics operators," says Stephan Poirier, vice-president of business development for the Calgary Airport Authority.

"If we do not connect this country with the rest of the world we are falling behind."

Calgary is looking at attracting major corporations such as LG and Samsung, says Poirier.

"We'd like to get their attention - to build a distribution centre at the airport - to transport their goods between Asia and North America," says Poirier.

He adds he's not concerned that most of the product would then be moved elsewhere, as the city would then get light value-added jobs such as pricing and ticketing products or changing the keys on keyboards to Spanish from English. "Calgary would be the main point of entry in the North American market."

Poirier says he believes the goal is achievable, by convincing the companies that they can service their customers faster and cheaper from Calgary. The 10-year plan recently presented to the airport's board of directors lays out the blueprint on reaching that objective.

Edmonton Airports' Vanstone says Port Alberta will be introduced in stages, taking what exists now and fine-tuning it to the region's needs.

Infrastructure improvements, including the addition of a new cargo aircraft apron - the concrete the planes need to sit on - are to be in place by next spring.

The authority is also working with development interests for warehousing and cargo processing facilities though the deals are not yet finalized. Initially, however, the Port Alberta focus will also be on current operators to ensure they have the capacity to grow their business.

And as for Edmonton and Calgary competing for air cargo, Vanstone says that won't be the case. "There's ample traffic for everybody."

(Laura Severs can be reached at laura@businessedge.ca)

chupa · 28-09-2006, 10:08 PM

Well timed with Fedex's plans for the new MEM-YEG A310 flight that will start in the next few months.

SteveB · 29-09-2006, 06:47 AM

Has anyone seen a plan of exactly where the new cargo apron will be (just past Fedex)?

chupa · 29-09-2006, 10:25 AM

The new apron will basically be just a extension to the current Fedex ramp,albeit a large extension.Purolator,Cargojet,Skylink,NT air,and other small freighters will be the first to use the new area.Fedex will continue to use its facility and will have 3 daily flights YYZ-YEG,YYC-YEG,and the new MEM-YEG A310F flight.I have alot of faith the new apron will attract new carriers in the freight department.We are positioned very well in this case...

SteveB · 29-09-2006, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chupa

The new apron will basically be just a extension to the current Fedex ramp,albeit a large extension.Purolator,Cargojet,Skylink,NT air,and other small freighters will be the first to use the new area.Fedex will continue to use its facility and will have 3 daily flights YYZ-YEG,YYC-YEG,and the new MEM-YEG A310F flight.I have alot of faith the new apron will attract new carriers in the freight department.We are positioned very well in this case...

Thanks, will there be an increase in warehouse/sorting facilities or would that require investment from the new carriers?

RichardS · 29-09-2006, 06:42 PM

yes and yes

chupa · 30-09-2006, 09:04 AM

A example of how bad this new apron is needed is being demonstrated right now.AN-124's will be arriving all weekend to operate ''tank'' lift flights to Afghanistan.The way these aircraft are being parked they are blocking one of the major taxiways and taking up the majority of remote stands...As I speak there are 2 on the ground and by 400pm today there will be 5 total on the ground at one time....

IanO · 30-09-2006, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chupa

A example of how bad this new apron is needed is being demonstrated right now.AN-124's will be arriving all weekend to operate ''tank'' lift flights to Afghanistan.The way these aircraft are being parked they are blocking one of the major taxiways and taking up the majority of remote stands...As I speak there are 2 on the ground and by 400pm today there will be 5 total on the ground at one time....

5 AN-124's....someone please go get a picture

Fleogan · 30-09-2006, 09:45 PM

Remember the former Canadian Air Force Base Namao?

Runway over 15,000 feet long, one of NASA's Space Shuttles 10 alternate landing sites.

I was asked to bid on the contract to remove the runways after Ottawa shut the base down, then decided to re-open it as an army base. They had just finished repaving the surface a year or two before they closed the AFB. I moved, don't know what the outcome was, but I believe they did decide not to remove the runway because the base was 9 foot thick concrete!

My understanding is that the army built excellent new tank shops on the runway surface. Too bad. Those AN-124's could have landed right at the base and picked up cargo there.

chupa · 30-09-2006, 09:59 PM

Well i made the trip down to see the AN-124's myself.When I got to YEG there were 3 AN-124's on the ground and 15 minutes later the 4th arrived.Volga Dnepr and Antonov Airlines (yeah thats there name) had the aircraft.There was also a RAF L-1011 and RAF VC-10 on the ground along with your mess of regular aircraft.I spoke to a friend from AC and he said there will be a total of 12 AN-124 flights this weekend/week,also a couple of USAF C-5 galaxy's will be involved in the lift!!!If your bored on Sunday head to the airport to see the goodies!!!

IanO · 30-09-2006, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chupa

Well i made the trip down to see the AN-124's myself.When I got to YEG there were 3 AN-124's on the ground and 15 minutes later the 4th arrived.Volga Dnepr and Antonov Airlines (yeah thats there name) had the aircraft.There was also a RAF L-1011 and RAF VC-10 on the ground along with your mess of regular aircraft.I spoke to a friend from AC and he said there will be a total of 12 AN-124 flights this weekend/week,also a couple of USAF C-5 galaxy's will be involved in the lift!!!If your bored on Sunday head to the airport to see the goodies!!!

wicked

Fleogan · 30-09-2006, 10:58 PM

COOL!

Don't see that much big stuff around here anymore, let alone all at the same time. Hopefully the regular suppliers of snapshots to Airliners.net are working this weekend!

RichardS · 01-10-2006, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanO

5 AN-124's....someone please go get a picture

I went @15:00h - there were only 2 - so I took a couple pics...

Airliners.net will probably get some.

chupa · 02-10-2006, 12:50 PM

Its monday and 2 aircraft departed this a.m., at 1200pm 2 more arrived and another 2 are expected by 600pm tonight.Its so rare to see one of these aircraft and now we are litterally having every AN-124 in the world drop in...

28-09-2006, 10:55 AM	#1
IanO Addicted to C2E Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edmonton	Alberta airports unveil cargo plans Alberta airports unveil cargo plans Plans for Alberta's air cargo industry are about to take off in this province By Laura Severs - Business Edge Published: 09/15/2006 - Vol. 6, No. 19 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Both the Calgary and Edmonton airport authorities are in the midst of rolling out strategies to put their respective cities on the radar screens of the world's cargo carriers. Edmonton Airports is unveiling its Port Alberta initiative while the Calgary Airport Authority has just approved a 10-year cargo and logistics development plan. Both are looking at different ways of making Western Canada more competitive. Edmonton wants to capitalize on its untapped potential: The largest airport (in terms of land) in Canada with scheduled air service and two long runways capable of landing virtually any aircraft flying today - even the new Airbus A380, which will be the world's largest passenger aircraft when it enters into service. Photo courtesy of Calgary Airport Authority Calgary Airport Authority vice-president of business development Stephan Poirier wants to increase the airport's profile. It's also highlighting its location next to Canada's largest industrial park, the Nisku Business Park, the second- largest oil and gas manufacturing park in North America after Houston. "We recognize that the Edmonton market is vastly underserved in terms of air cargo," says Glen Vanstone, director of cargo and business innovations for Edmonton Airports. "Currently the air cargo market in Alberta is growing, but what we want to do is make sure we're positioned so we can capture all the air cargo growth potential for the Greater Edmonton Region." Vanstone also notes that with Edmonton being the country's most northern major airport, it puts it at the crossroads of major North American air tracks (the highways of the sky). "Air traffic from Europe to the Western U.S. crosses over Edmonton, and from Asia to the U.S. Midwest and Eastern U.S., traffic also crosses over Edmonton. Being at the intersection of these major routes or air tracks is very strategic," says Vanstone. He adds that the airport's role as part of the federal government's transshipment program, in which air carriers carry cargo to and from Canada enroute to third countries, is very valuable. Combining the efficiencies of air, rail and road transportation at a single point is being called the "Port Alberta" concept. "What this does is it allows us to function effectively as a gateway to and from Asia, Canada's North, the oilsands, and for all of North America," says Vanstone. "It's a new strategic link in the global supply chain." Calgary airport officials are also eyeing that global supply chain. "For us, the most important thing is to increase our profile and try to attract logistics operators," says Stephan Poirier, vice-president of business development for the Calgary Airport Authority. "If we do not connect this country with the rest of the world we are falling behind." Calgary is looking at attracting major corporations such as LG and Samsung, says Poirier. "We'd like to get their attention - to build a distribution centre at the airport - to transport their goods between Asia and North America," says Poirier. He adds he's not concerned that most of the product would then be moved elsewhere, as the city would then get light value-added jobs such as pricing and ticketing products or changing the keys on keyboards to Spanish from English. "Calgary would be the main point of entry in the North American market." Poirier says he believes the goal is achievable, by convincing the companies that they can service their customers faster and cheaper from Calgary. The 10-year plan recently presented to the airport's board of directors lays out the blueprint on reaching that objective. Edmonton Airports' Vanstone says Port Alberta will be introduced in stages, taking what exists now and fine-tuning it to the region's needs. Infrastructure improvements, including the addition of a new cargo aircraft apron - the concrete the planes need to sit on - are to be in place by next spring. The authority is also working with development interests for warehousing and cargo processing facilities though the deals are not yet finalized. Initially, however, the Port Alberta focus will also be on current operators to ensure they have the capacity to grow their business. And as for Edmonton and Calgary competing for air cargo, Vanstone says that won't be the case. "There's ample traffic for everybody." (Laura Severs can be reached at laura@businessedge.ca) __________________ inspiration or mediocrity www.decl.org Ottawa-Edmonton-Vancouver-Edmonton

29-09-2006, 06:47 AM	#3
SteveB Addicted to C2E Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Capital Region	Has anyone seen a plan of exactly where the new cargo apron will be (just past Fedex)? __________________ Edmonton, Capital of Alberta

29-09-2006, 06:42 PM	#6
RichardS C2E Junkie * Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edmonton	yes and yes __________________ Everywhere I go, I've been slandered, Libeled, I've heard words I've never heard in the Bible - and I am so tired. Simon and Garfunkel "Keep the customer satisfied" Yup, that about sums it up.

28-09-2006, 10:08 PM	#2
chupa Addicted to C2E Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Century Park.	Well timed with Fedex's plans for the new MEM-YEG A310 flight that will start in the next few months.

29-09-2006, 10:25 AM	#4
chupa Addicted to C2E Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Century Park.	The new apron will basically be just a extension to the current Fedex ramp,albeit a large extension.Purolator,Cargojet,Skylink,NT air,and other small freighters will be the first to use the new area.Fedex will continue to use its facility and will have 3 daily flights YYZ-YEG,YYC-YEG,and the new MEM-YEG A310F flight.I have alot of faith the new apron will attract new carriers in the freight department.We are positioned very well in this case...

30-09-2006, 09:04 AM	#7
chupa Addicted to C2E Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Century Park.	A example of how bad this new apron is needed is being demonstrated right now.AN-124's will be arriving all weekend to operate ''tank'' lift flights to Afghanistan.The way these aircraft are being parked they are blocking one of the major taxiways and taking up the majority of remote stands...As I speak there are 2 on the ground and by 400pm today there will be 5 total on the ground at one time....

30-09-2006, 09:45 PM	#9
Fleogan First One is Always Free Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sherwood Park	Remember the former Canadian Air Force Base Namao? Runway over 15,000 feet long, one of NASA's Space Shuttles 10 alternate landing sites. I was asked to bid on the contract to remove the runways after Ottawa shut the base down, then decided to re-open it as an army base. They had just finished repaving the surface a year or two before they closed the AFB. I moved, don't know what the outcome was, but I believe they did decide not to remove the runway because the base was 9 foot thick concrete! My understanding is that the army built excellent new tank shops on the runway surface. Too bad. Those AN-124's could have landed right at the base and picked up cargo there.

30-09-2006, 09:59 PM	#10
chupa Addicted to C2E Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Century Park.	Well i made the trip down to see the AN-124's myself.When I got to YEG there were 3 AN-124's on the ground and 15 minutes later the 4th arrived.Volga Dnepr and Antonov Airlines (yeah thats there name) had the aircraft.There was also a RAF L-1011 and RAF VC-10 on the ground along with your mess of regular aircraft.I spoke to a friend from AC and he said there will be a total of 12 AN-124 flights this weekend/week,also a couple of USAF C-5 galaxy's will be involved in the lift!!!If your bored on Sunday head to the airport to see the goodies!!!

30-09-2006, 10:58 PM	#12
Fleogan First One is Always Free Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sherwood Park	COOL! Don't see that much big stuff around here anymore, let alone all at the same time. Hopefully the regular suppliers of snapshots to Airliners.net are working this weekend!

02-10-2006, 12:50 PM	#14
chupa Addicted to C2E Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Century Park.	Its monday and 2 aircraft departed this a.m., at 1200pm 2 more arrived and another 2 are expected by 600pm tonight.Its so rare to see one of these aircraft and now we are litterally having every AN-124 in the world drop in...