The addition of a third aircraft parking spot in front of the Northwest Regional Airport terminal building should help ease passenger waiting, says its manager.
That’s because the airport will be able to handle three passenger aircraft at once, says Carman Hendry.
A $250,000 grant from the Northern Development Initiative Trust will help contribute to the approximate $1 million cost of the third parking stand and associated work.
“We got into the black three years ago and in 2012 began to build a capital projects reserve,” said Hendry of the rest of the project financing.
He expects the parking spot, which consists of a specially-engineered 30-inch deep concrete pad designed to hold the weight of an aircraft, passengers and fuel, to be finished by the end of October.
Asphalt is not a good base on which to park aircraft because their weight will create grooves during warmer weather periods and the asphalt will erode over time because of minor fuel and other leaks, he said.
In the meantime, Hendry said the busy nature of the airport means passengers need to arrive at least one hour before their flights and to have gone through security at least 45 minutes before departure.
“And check your bags right away when you’ve finished at the ticket counter. Don’t have a coffee first.”
The improving economy has resulted in passenger traffic increases.