Essential Calgary Magazine Essential Calgary 2017 | Page 54

Taking Flight YYC Calgary International Airport Is Ready For Take Off by breanna mroczek EFFICIENCY Are you a DIY traveller? Good news: the new terminal has 238 self serve check-in kiosks for you to obtain your boarding pass and baggage tags, weigh scales to make sure your luggage is good to go, and self-drop baggage stations. With the new tote-based baggage tracking system, the chances of losing your luggage are negligible as the bag is tracked during every stage of screening and handling. There is still the option to check-in through the full-service airline desks or to receive assistance at the self-serve kiosks. SECURITY The new terminal is home to the CATSA Plus system, the first full security checkpoint of its kind in North America. “It combines a bunch of innovations that were tested separately over a few years at a number of airports into one high performing line,” says Mathieu Larocque, CATSA’s spokesperson. “Four passengers can 54  THE ESSENTIAL CALGARY 2016/17 arrive at the same time, fill their bins with their belongings, and be on their way at their own pace. If you need more time, you can take more time. You don’t feel the pressure of the line if you have children or have more bags or have special needs. Take your time, another passenger can bypass you.” There is also an automatic bin return system so there’s no more fumbling to separate plastic bins. Bag x-rays are then presented to behind-thescenes screening officers on a rolling basis so that no line is ever bottlenecked. “It contributes to a more seamless customer experience and more productivity at the screening line,” says Larocque. Moving on to Canada-U.S. border customs, travellers will find eight Nexus/Global Entry terminals and 22 automated passport control terminals — an increase from four and zero terminals, respectively. “The technology enhancements are tremendous,” says Raymond PHOTOGRAPHS: COURTESY OF THE CALGARY AIRPORT AUTHORITY; VIN ROOM PHOTO COURTESY OF BONAFIDE MEDIA AND PR While airports can be associated with stress, limited and undesirable food choices, and long lines, that is certainly not the case with the brand new international terminal at YYC Calgary International Airport, which started welcoming travellers on October 31, 2016. This new terminal is one of the most technologically advanced, efficient, and eco-friendly terminals in North America (and certainly the most advanced in Canada) and will make your time at the airport as enjoyable as the rest of your trip. “The whole thing has been designed for a better passenger experience,” says Stephan Poirier, Senior VP and CCO. “Calgarians will have a very high sense of pride when they see the new terminal,” says Poirier. “I’ve heard locals remark, ‘wow, we’ve arrived, this is it, now we’re a world class city’.”