Haven’t had time to read it front to back but very conservative and underwhelming for sure.
Passenger growth expectations are quite low which sets the tone for a lot of the plan for sure. I love the moving of regional domestic plane gates to the end of the north terminal area which will allow for a modest expansion/modernization the secure side of the older terminal area.
I understand the restrained approach but will be a long 10 years waiting for the next version.
Couldn't agree more.
Positives:
1. The baggage area will be refreshed
2. The north terminal will be refreshed/updated to move the Gate 49 operations further north
3. There seems to be an ambition for (part) of the cargo area development to get going
Negatives:
1. How in the world is that interchange work beyond 2048? That should absolutely be a priority for the airport working with the province yesterday. Not only is that intersection a complete joke, I have to believe at the very least its at capacity right now
2. While I agree the report from my read is very conservative, nothing screams conservative and underwhelming than straight-line growing passengers to 14M by 2048 (while just down the road Calgary reached 18.5M this past year) and the focus area of growth in that report was overwhelmingly domestic. It reads as is they had this big exciting vision and that's to be Canada's largest regional airport
2A. There isn't actually anything explicit at all in that report that highlights their focus on connecting Edmonton globally via new routes, flights, destinations, airliners, etc. which is, you know, their primary role and function
3. I am disappointed to see that the big exciting cargo development that they announced $100M government funding for in 2022 is partly going to be targeted for by 2048 and the rest is labelled beyond 2048. 24 years+ is a long time, and if you are trying to convince the world you are serious about being a key inland port cargo Mecca, you will surely be lapped by competitors if that is your timeframe. For reference, In 2007 the first MOU to create Port Alberta was signed and in the past 17 years we know how little has happened since and how others ports have stepped up (in that time Calgary solidified itself as the port in Alberta)
In conclusion, it seems like the plan is to focus on things that need to be done, which is great, overdue and sorely needed. But beyond that, there is very little that inspires and given the long-time horizon, is actually quite underwhelming and sadly disappointing.