ONWARD UPWARD

Improving HALIFAX
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY 2005 ANNUAL REPORT
Facilities and Services
Bigger, better and safer – that was the focus of HIAA’s
Airport Improvement Program during 2005.
Throughout the year, the terminal building expansion
program was in full swing. To the south, the terminal was
transformed into a dedicated commuter facility, housing
three new jet bridges, 12 new gates, a rotunda feature with
terrazzo floor, larger waiting areas, improved ground
access to aircraft, and more room for new retail shops and
passenger services. To the north, work progressed on the U.S.
pre-clearance and in-transit facilities, scheduled to open
in October 2006.
A new Park’N Fly service opened in February with an
additional 1,000 parking spaces, offering passengers more
choice and a 24-hour shuttle to the terminal.
In September, HIAA, along with airports across the country,
installed new state-of-the-art baggage processing
technology, resulting in increased efficiencies in baggage
processing for the airlines and ground service providers,
along with increased overall baggage handling capacity.
Working with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority,
this equipment enables new screening procedures for
checked baggage to ensure passenger security.
“With all of this development comes increased responsibility
for operation and maintenance,” says Peter Clarke, Vice
President Operations. “Our staff has risen to the challenges
that a larger facility presents because they know that
growth means success for our business.”
Also in 2005, HIAA began the first phase of its multiyear
airfield rehabilitation program. This work is vital to
maintaining the integrity and operation of Airport runways
that are reaching the end of their lifecycle, to ensure safety
and meet regulatory standards. In July, at a critical phase in
the project when the Airport’s instrument landing system
was unavailable to pilots, severe and unanticipated dense
fog caused major flight delays and cancellations. Going
forward, HIAA is committed to keeping the traveling public
informed about potential impacts of construction activity.