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Villeneuve Airport was in the spotlight in 2015 with a series of new facilities either completed or underway and the first edition of the annual airshow held at Villeneuve, bringing thousands of people to the facility.
Villeneuve Airport is the region’s main satellite airport to Edmonton International Airport (EIA), serving a range of general aviation needs, including flight training, recreational flying and corporate flights.
“Villeneuve is an important regional aviation asset and we are pleased to see continuing private investment in the airport,” said Tom Ruth, Edmonton Airports president and CEO. “These investments dovetail with the investments we have made to expand the runway, improve navigational aids and other infrastructure at the airport.”
Villeneuve development
Four new facilities were completed in 2015: Sky Dynamics (second facility), Rotorcraft Garage Inc., Sarasota Developments Inc. and Hangar Holdings Inc. BDK Air’s new 4,000-square-foot hangar is currently under construction and Energy Efficient Homes Inc. is nearing completion of a 16,500-square-foot expansion, which will include the installation of an all new Rotating Aircraft Carrier storage system.
In 2016, the airport will welcome its second fixed-base operator (FBO), Polaris Air. The company’s 25,000-square-foot facility is currently under construction.
Phase I lots are full and Phase II lots are available for lease in 2016. All this development means more indoor space for owners to house aircraft, making Villeneuve even more attractive. As well, Telus recently installed its new Telus Fibre service, improving telecommunications services.
Growing popularity continues to drive the need for expansion and Edmonton Airports will continue to work onsite with tenants, owners and operators to develop new taxiway and public apron space. In addition, Edmonton Airports will continue working with its regional partners to identify solutions to connect the existing water reservoir to the county’s supply line, which will be a key enabler of Villeneuve expansion.
Edmonton Airshow
Villeneuve’s regional profile was boosted in 2015 with the first annual Edmonton Airshow. Over 25,000 people attended the airshow at the airport, Aug. 22 to23. Edmonton Airports provided logistical support for the airshow and will work with airshow organizer RWE Events again in 2016 to ensure the success of this exciting community event.
The 2016 airshow is Aug. 6 to 7. A portion of the proceeds is directed to local charities such as the Alberta Aviation Museum, Edmonton Garrison Military Resource Centre and Youth Empowerment and Support Services.
Aircraft activity steady
Despite the economic downturn, Villeneuve Airport remained busy with 60,786 aircraft movements (landings or takeoffs) in 2015. In 2014, 61,585 movements were recorded.
