Hundreds ‘test fly’ new airport wing
Operations test with mock passengers part of $670M expansion project
Approximately 1,000 people arrived at the Edmonton International Airport with plane tickets and bags in hand Saturday — and no place to go.
The mock passengers were community volunteers helping test operations from check-in, screening and customs in the airport’s expanded terminal before a new U.S. departures area opens on Feb. 11.
It’s part of a $670-million enhancement project, rolling out in phases since December and into the fall.
“Today is what we refer to as our advanced trial,” said Diane Trenn, vice-president of airport operations.
“It’s when we bring together a culmination of over three months of training and trialling and testing and breaking and fixing this facility. We bring it all together and we throw over 1,000 passengers into the mix to really help us understand where the opportunities to improve are.”
Volunteers, many recruited through social media, acted as passengers to test amenities, staff and procedures and to give officials a look at the effectiveness of passenger flows, signage, gate boarding and baggage handling. In return, they received free parking and gift bags.
Hundreds of staff also took part, including airport and airline employees and U.S. customs officers.
At Gate 88, emergency responders were tested when a woman complained of chest pains and an unconscious man toppled over among the seats — both part of the simulation.
After the passengers boarded their mock flights, they became just-landed travellers to test arrival procedures.
Trenn said passenger reports will be compiled through the weekend, but she pointed to some areas that may need improvement such as better directional signs, refresher training for staff and some electronic glitches.
“No crises. No major surprises so far,” she said.
Airport spokesperson Sarah Meffin said the exercise cost about $100,000, but was a “critical learning process.”
Volunteers who travelled to the airport and went through the rigours of pre-boarding without actually getting to fly anywhere had their own reasons for participating.
Joy Jude brought two children and her friend because she wanted a preview of the U.S. terminal. “I do travel so much. This will be a good experience for me so I don’t get lost when I come in,” she said.
“So far, I really like it. I like the customs and ... you can find your own bag there to see that your bag is not lost and it’s coming with you, which is very, very cool.”
U.s.-bound passengers drop their luggage on a conveyor belt after check-in so they don’t have to haul it through pre-boarding screening and U.S. customs.
After security and customs, some passengers tried the airport’s first moving sidewalks along the Arts District Corridor, which features information and pieces from the city’s arts community.
Passengers also shopped for duty-free items on the pathway between customs and the departures lounge and sampled food from the area’s restaurants and concessions.
“It’s a lot smoother way to go in,” said Henriette Hoeksema. “The walkways are really nice and I enjoy looking at the stores, which we never had before. And the seating looks a lot more comfortable.”
She has harsh memories of the airport’s U.S. pre-boarding area. “It took forever to get through to customs and it was crowded. It was not as wide and not as much room, so here is a lot more enjoyable.”
“I think it’s beautiful. It’s fresh, it’s wide, it’s big and it’s easy access,” said Joanne Watson.
“I like that it’s open and there’s lots of comfy chairs, because flying generally involves lots of sitting around and waiting,” said Jody Jones, waiting for her mock flight in the new U.S. departures lounge.
She also had praise for the artwork, Canadian-designed retail offerings and food, but said a dining area was too tight for people lugging bags.
“I like the design — it’s very open, clean and airy. The old Edmonton terminal was closed and dark and dungeony,” said Anthony Jones.
Vincent Lee, an engineer, said he volunteered for fun and to be among the first to see the expansion.
“That mural of the city is really, really nice. It’s by far the best art piece I’ve ever seen anywhere,” Lee said of a nine-metre mosaic tile mural of Edmonton’s downtown and river valley by local artist Erin Pankratz-smith.
“The expansion is very nice. The only one complaint I may have is the people movers — they are very noisy compared to the other people movers I have been on.
“Compared to Hong Kong, or Beijing or Shanghai, this is very nice for its size.”
Unveiling of the airport terminal expansion started in December with the opening of new shops and restaurants in an expanded Central Hall.
A new Canadian Border Security Agency area is to debut in the summer, followed by a domestic and international lounge in the fall. A new central tower — combining a control tower with offices — is slated to open in late 2012 along with a new Courtyard by Marriott hotel.