Expanded airport departure lounge could see more amenities added

Thunder Bay International Airport could be getting a partial facelift in 2016.

Plans are under way to look at revamping and expanding the airport’s departure lounge, one of several capital investments the Thunder Bay International Airports Authority’s board of directors announced at Thursday’s annual general meeting.

Other plans include moving Transport Canada’s offices from the second to third floor, assessment and design of the crosswind runway, the addition of automated airfield inspection technology and other aesthetic improvements.

Newly appointed TBIAA president and CEO Ed Schmidtke said there are plenty of reasons to make large-scale capital investments, not the least passenger comfort.

“We’re asking architects to review a couple of things,” Schmidtke said. “How to best connect it to the customs hall on the first floor, so when you’re coming back from Cuba, maybe have some more space when you’re waiting for your turn with the customs officer.”

The TBIAA also want to review the possibility of adding additional amenities, though he didn’t elaborate on what they might be.

In recent years the airport added a coffee and snack kiosk to the passenger lounge.

“We’re going to take our time, to make sure we get it right. So 2015 will be design time and 2016 will be construction time.”

Part of the review process will also determine the budget, which has yet to be set.

But continued success with the airport’s bottom line will help cover the costs. The authority spent $2.5 million on capital expenses in 2014 and plan to spend half-a-million dollars more this year. But in 2016 that figure is projected to jump to $5.7 million, dipping to $3.9 million in 2017 before jumping again in 2018 to $5.9 million.

In 2014 the airport brought in $2.84 million more than its expenses.

Schmidtke, who said he plans to push back at Mayor Keith Hobbs and city manager Tim Commisso, who have argued to senior levels of government that the airport should pay higher taxes, said he also plans to diversify the airport’s earning potential.

“We’ll be making some money, but not all from the core airport business,” he said during the meeting. “But that’s good. Then if anything starts to go sideways, we’re still doing OK.”

Consolidated revenues are expected to take a slight dip in 2015 to $9.9 million, but should bounce back slightly in 2016 and surpass 2014 numbers by 2018, when it’s forecasted the airport will bring in about $10.9 million.