Calgary International Airport - New Terminal, Runway, Control Tower

[Bobblehead]

So am I correct in assuming that other airports at altitude (like Denver, Mexico City) have the same issues?

[mykalberta]

We could see increased 777 coverage to Asia though if they can take off at max weight.

A 773ER can be configured with close to the same seats as a 747

AC in the summer could route a NRT or HKG flight from Calgary if there is enough connecting passengers.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

So am I correct in assuming that other airports at altitude (like Denver, Mexico City) have the same issues?

Indeed, one of Denver's runways is 16,000' long to deal with this very issue. They have six runways in total and the other five are all 12,000'.

[mykalberta]

DEN/KDEN - max runway length 16000, YYC current max 12675

7/25 12,000 3,658 Concrete
8/26 12,000 3,658 Concrete
16L/34R 12,000 3,658 Concrete
16R/34L 16,000 4,877 Concrete
17L/35R 12,000 3,658 Concrete
17R/35L 12,000 3,658 Concrete

[You Need a Thneed]

The new runway is due to capacity issues.

The length of the runway is due to the elevation of Calgary above sea level, plus the takeoff lengths required for the largest potential aircraft at that sea level.

So, while we may not see more 747s/A380s in the short term, there is potential to see more in the future, as the terminal and runway will be designed to be able to handle them. Future ridership numbers will determine what planes the airlines put on routes.

[frinkprof]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

The Airport Authority is currently presenting to City Council this morning. I assume this has to do with their expansions and the "tunderpass".

Just to clarify what this was about, it was just an informational presentation to Council. Council didn't make any decisions as a part of or result of the presentation, and it wasn't part of the formal Council meeting (which has now commenced following the presentation). The Airport Authority periodically makes presentations to Council, about once a year, and I gather that this was just one of those periodic update presenations.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

Just to clarify what this was about, it was just an informational presentation to Council. Council didn't make any decisions as a part of or result of the presentation, and it wasn't part of the formal Council meeting (which has now commenced following the presentation). The Airport Authority periodically makes presentations to Council, about once a year, and I gather that this was just one of those periodic update presenations.

Yes, but there is more tunnel discussion in the council meeting today, both in camera and in public.

[Yasa]

All very interesting! I've never really considered the effects that altitude and air density had on aircraft. Without trying to derail the thread too much, what kind of effects are noticed in extremely humid locations?

[You Need a Thneed]

Garth Atkinson did say this morning that the control tower is under construction, as of now.

[Bigtime]

I believe humidity increases the density altitude in "hot and high" conditions, but I believe it is a minor adjustment. Small compared to temperature.

[Ryan Coke]

To be clear, the current runway is not what is preventing more heavy jet traffic (we have had lots of 747's here, and scheduled ops in the past). The reason there aren't more here is just because Calgary is not a major hub for overseas traffic. Having another runway doesn't change the commercial decisions of airlines route planning.

[Bigtime]

Well said Ryan. A longer runway doesn't equal 747's and other jumbos magically showing up.

Right now YYC has only one scheduled 747 operator, Cargolux. Usually in 2x a week, from LAX and SEA before heading off to Luxembourg.

We do see the odd charter cargo flight with a 747, or the big Antonov 124.

We did have cargo 747 service from Korean and Asiana. Korean stopped a few years ago and Asiana was here last summer, but has not announced plans to be back this year.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

to put it in perspective I do believe YQY (Sydney NS) has a runway large enough to handle the 747, but in no way will you ever see one landing there unless it's an emergency (even then YHZ is just about 400kms south).

I'm excited that we get Westjet's 737-600's in the summer as that's "big" for us.

On a completely unrelated note, Ryan Coke have you flown into YQY? I'd assume it's primarily a YYZ based flight crew, although I do have a friend of mine who was a flight attendant on the inaugural flight who is based out of YYC.

[Ryan Coke]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

On a completely unrelated note, Ryan Coke have you flown into YQY? I'd assume it's primarily a YYZ based flight crew, although I do have a friend of mine who was a flight attendant on the inaugural flight who is based out of YYC.

I have been in several times with a previous job, but I don't think I have been in with WestJet. And in fact, all WestJet flight crew are based in Calgary officially (though we have crew members that live all over the country, and beyond).

[getbak]

A mid-May deadline has been set to get a deal worked out if they want to build the tunnel before the new runway: http://www.calgaryherald.com/Airport...579/story.html

[You Need a Thneed]

It'll be done before then, IMO.

[Smyth's Skate]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

Meant to mention this. The tie-ins were finished up last week.

The Traffic Circle, as of 4PM today is NOT fully open. There is no connection to Barlow, North or South as of yet. Still some Roadwork to be completed.

[You Need a Thneed]

From the council meeting, it sounds like the tunnel will have to be cut into bedrock. Will make excavating more expensive, but would make the footings cheaper.

[Mazrim]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

From the council meeting, it sounds like the tunnel will have to be cut into bedrock. Will make excavating more expensive, but would make the footings cheaper.

Depending on the depth of the bedrock, that could raise the price of building the tunnel by quite a bit.

[Bigtime]

For all you jumbo jet fans Cargolux (747) will be in this afternoon, departing Seattle and arriving into YYC at 3:09pm estimated.