Dynamic Corporation

Overview

The launch of the National Airports Policy in 1994 resulted in the creation of local Airport Authorities across the country. The Ottawa International Airport Authority was established in 1997 after the assembly of a community-based Board of Directors who were tasked with overseeing the management of the airport.

Since the Airport Authority was established, a number of milestones were reached that have created more opportunity and economic growth for the communities of Ottawa and Gatineau:

Since the opening of the Passenger Terminal Building in 2003, passenger volumes have grown to more than 4 million per year, necessitating an expansion to the domestic and international holdroom to accommodate 12 more gates. Phase II of the Airport Expansion Program was announced in April of 2006, and construction of more than 7,000 square metres of additional domestic and international holdroom space commenced in August of that year.

The new wing was opened in two stages: In March 2008, five new gates were opened on the east side of the wing, along with the new Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge. In December 2008, an additional seven new gates were opened on the west side, replacing seven gates that were eliminated with the closing of the old terminal building. At that time, eight new passenger bridges were also installed. The expansion positioned the airport for increased domestic passenger volumes beyond 2020, and has created space for increased retail and concession development. The $95 million project was completed within budget.

Early in 2008, we undertook an entire redesign of the 3rd floor transborder area, adding more queuing space, an extra pre-board screening lane and we streamlined the US preclearance area. A glass partition that segregates the US preclearance operation from screening was also added allowing the pre-board screening process to begin prior to the US Customs operation, and thereby allowing for a more efficient startup each day. Coincident with this project, we also moved the duty free store past both the pre-board screening and US preclearance operations, which allows customers to purchase duty free liquids without the worry of putting bottles of perfume and spirits in their checked baggage – a security requirement that has been in place since 2006.

On the domestic side, a screening lane was added along with more table space that allows customers to divest themselves of their belongings more easily prior to security screening. Finally, men’s and ladies’ washrooms were constructed near the queuing area.

The above-noted projects, which were completed in the spring of 2009, were done for the convenience of our customers, and as a result of feedback that has been received since the terminal opened in 2003. The $4.1 million price tag has been paid for entirely by the Airport Authority and the $15 Airport Improvement Fee that all enplaned passengers pay.

With no government funding whatsoever, the Ottawa International Airport has increased development on airport property: several hotels, an FBO hangar, a restaurant, and several business enterprises have moved their operations to new facilities on the airport campus. The considerable growth of the airport has secured its position as a significant economic generator for the National Capital Region, as confirmed in economic impact studies that have been undertaken by the Authority. When direct and indirect salaries and other economic factors are accounted for, the airport injects more than $1.9 billion dollars into the local economy on an annual basis.

The community has embraced the progress that has been made, and understands that the decisions which have guided the Authority successfully through each project have been based on thoughtful consideration, a consultative process and a prudent approach to financial management. Future development will be done with the same responsible approach, and in keeping with the priorities set out in the Authority’s Strategic and Master Plans.

The sky is the limit.

History

The Ottawa International Airport was opened in 1930 when the Canadian civil aviation industry was just beginning to take shape in the National Capital Region. In February of 1997, Transport Canada transferred the facility to the newly formed Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport Authority (OMCIAA), an independent corporation without share capital which was created on January 1, 1995 under Part II of the Canada Corporations Act. The Authority is governed by a 14-member Board of Directors representing the Ottawa and Gatineau business communities, major users of airport facilities and the travelling public.

On October 12, 2003, the new state-of-the-art, 650,000 square foot Passenger Terminal Building opened for business. Built with the community in mind, the award-winning facility is open, filled with natural light, and intuitively easy to navigate through. An adjacent Parkade was also built, much to the delight of passengers. In fact, it proved so popular that an expansion was required in 2005 to accommodate more than 2,500 vehicles.

Passenger traffic has risen significantly since the opening of the Passenger Terminal Building, and now exceeds pre-September 11, 2001 figures. The accelerated growth resulted in saturation at peak times, and as a result, the Airport Authority announced in April, 2006, that it would expand the domestic and international holdroom to accommodate 12 new gates. Airport Expansion Program Phase II (AEP II) broke ground in August of 2006, and was completed in December, 2008.

The Ottawa Airport plays an essential role in the economic growth of the National Capital Region, servicing the needs of more than four million travelers each year.