Calgary International Airport’s west runway reopening following two-year, $200M rebuild

The Calgary International Airport's west runway was originally built in 1939 and was not capable of handling large, modern aircraft. (Supplied/Calgary International Airport)

If you fly into or out of Calgary International Airport, soon, you might land or take off on the west runway.

After $200 million in upgrades over two construction seasons, some flights will resume Friday, before ramping up to full operation by Dec. 2.

“We forecast that our passenger volumes could increase up to 40 per cent within the next five years,” said Calgary Airport Authority president and CEO Chris Dinsdale in a statement.

“Everything we build now is made to meet that moment, to elevate passenger experience and to make our operations more efficient and sustainable. The comprehensive work on the west runway achieves all of that.”

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With critical infrastructure upgraded, the project is expected to handle up to 40 years of growth.

The original west runway was constructed in 1939.

During the rebuild, construction crews found pipes under the runway made of wood.

They were fully intact.

The rehabilitation project diverted flights to other runways beginning in April 2024.

Officials say 90 per cent of the rebuild was from recycled material from the previous runway that was dug up.

The new pavement and safety areas are described as stronger, more durable and more sustainable.

Officials say taxi time on the runway and tarmac will save passengers around five minutes if they land on the west runway compared to the east.

The project was also environmentally friendly, with crews using snowfall and rainwater during construction and saving nearly two million litres of potable water from the city’s supply.

The Government of Canada, through Transport Canada’s Airport Critical Infrastructure program, awarded $57.5 million to the project.

The Calgary Airport Authority covered the remaining $142.5 million.