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
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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’.”