Regina International Airport

Regina International Airport
IATA: YQR – ICAO: CYQR – WMO: 71863
Summary
Airport type	Public
Owner	Transport Canada
Operator	Regina Airport Authority
Serves	Regina, Saskatchewan
Time zone	CST (UTC−06:00)
Elevation AMSL	1,895 ft / 578 m
Coordinates	50°25′56″N 104°39′58″W / 50.43222°N 104.66611°W / 50.43222; -104.66611Coordinates: 50°25′56″N 104°39′58″W / 50.43222°N 104.66611°W / 50.43222; -104.66611
Website	www.yqr.ca
Map
CYQR Location in Saskatchewan
Runways
Direction Length Surface ft m 08/26 6,200 1,890 Asphalt 13/31 7,901 2,408 Asphalt
Statistics (2014)
Aircraft movements 58,168 Passengers 1,262,577
Sources: Canada Flight Supplement[1] Environment Canada[2] Transport Canada[3] Movements from Statistics Canada[4] Passenger statistics from Regina Airport Authority[5]

Regina International Airport (IATA: YQR, ICAO: CYQR) is an international airport located in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, located 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) south-west^[1] and 7 km (4.3 mi) west south-west of the city centre. It is run by the Regina Airport Authority. It was, in 2010, the second busiest airport in Saskatchewan (Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker being the busiest).^[4]

The airport is classified as an airport of entry by Nav Canada and is staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). CBSA officers at this airport can handle aircraft with no more than 120 passengers. However, they can handle up to 250 if the aircraft is unloaded in stages.^[1]

History

The 1939 Art Deco administration building and control tower at the Regina Municipal Airport

The Department of Transport-built administration building and control tower at the Regina Municipal Airport

The second Regina airport, in the mid 1960s prior to the enlargement and renovations of 1983-86

The first site in Regina used for flying was the infield at Regina Exhibition Park's horse race track, where visiting barnstormer "Lucky Bob" St. Pierre (a Nebraskan whose real name was "Shaeffer" or "Shaffer") flew a Curtiss Model D biplane in August, 1911. A few other barnstormers, notably aviator Katherine Stinson of the famous aviation family, appeared in Regina and other prairie cities in the years thereafter, but there was virtually no other aviation activity in Western Canada during the First World War.

After the First World War, Reginan Roland Groome returned from military service as a flying instructor in Southern Ontario and, with partners, set up a company called the "Aerial Service Co." Its primitive airfield was located near what is the current intersection of Hill Avenue and Cameron Street in the city's southern Lakeview district. In May 1920, federal government regulators assigned this field the designation of Canada 's first licensed "air harbour". Groome also received Canadian commercial pilot's licence No. 1 and mechanic Robert McCombie was given air engineer's licence No. 1.

The airport site was developed in 1928-30. A terminal building was built in 1940. Scheduled airline service was initially provided by Moose Jaw-based Prairie Airways (in 1938) and then Trans-Canada Air Lines (in 1939). A new terminal building was erected in 1960. Major renovations to this terminal building were conducted in 1983-86. A $24-million expansion started in January 2004, increasing its capacity to 1.2 million passengers per year. The first stage of the expansion included the expansion of the terminal and includes a larger post-security holding room, another passenger loading bridge, an expansion to the international arrivals area and more baggage carousels. The first phase was completed in August 2005.

The second phase is now under way and includes further expansion for security services and for facilities for new tenants such as stores and eating establishments (including a Tim Hortons). In 2009, construction began on two new jetways, one between gates 5 and 6, to the right of the glass atrium, and the other as an offshoot of gate 1. This is to keep up with airport demand and to further increase passenger comfort and safety in winter months.

On May 1, 1995, under the Canada-US Open Skies agreement, Northwest Airlines began service to Minneapolis – Saint Paul. United Express then began non-stop service to Chicago O'Hare and Denver. In 1996 WestJet began Boeing 737-200 service. Air Canada, which began scheduled service to Regina in early 1939, ended mainline service into Regina and six other medium-sized Canadian cities in October 2005, turning over these routes to its subsidiary Air Canada Jazz and its fleet of Canadair Regional Jets (CRJ). Mainline service to Toronto returned on November 2, 2008 using the Embraer E-190 aircraft. In the summer of 2010, Air Canada Jazz introduced summer seasonal service between Regina and Ottawa using the CRJ-705 aircraft, as well late in 2013 WestJet Encore has started service to Calgary using the Dash 8 Q400 aircraft. Since then, Edmonton and Winnipeg have been added to WestJet's Encore network out of Regina. Starting in the 2014 summer season, WestJet has also added two weekly flights to Las Vegas, one flight on Wednesday, and the other being on Saturday. In late 2014, United Airlines cancelled service to Chicago, and on February 28, 2015 cancelled service to Denver.^[6]

Passenger services

Passenger services at YQR are under significant renovation. In late 2013 and early 2014, Regina Airport Authority (RAA) undertook efforts to develop and execute a strategy to improve retail, food and beverage services at Regina International Airport. Services currently include a 24-hour Subway sandwich shop, Tim Hortons Express, Relay (Duty Free) and a fully renovated Rumor Handcrafts shop. In addition, post-security, there is the Air Canada Maple Lead Lounge, a children's play area, vending machines, free Wi-Fi and a historical display located post-security. There is also a four-currency ATM just prior to security that dispenses US and Canadian dollars, euros, and British pounds.

At present, the restaurant located on the second floor pre-security is currently closed for renovations. Post-security services for food and beverage are also under construction, a reduced menu is available in the Lounge (post security). From April 1 until October 1, 2015 YQR was working on additional and expanded food service options before and after security, expanded post-security retail services and improved lay-out in the main restaurant to improve traffic flow.^[7]

Announced expansions include:^[7] Main Floor Air Terminal Building: Subway, Tim Hortons Express and Convenience, Rumour Handcraft

Pre-security: Tim Hortons (Full Menu), Skyway Café, Relay

Post-security: Brioche Dorée, Tim Hortons Express, Skyway Lounge, Relay

Facilities

The RAA Fire Department (with crew of 10) operates from a single fire station housing 2 Rosenbauer Panther 3000 ARFF^[8] as well as a Rosenbauer AirWolf Rescue truck^[9] in 2012.

In 2012 RAA completed renovations to the existing airport fire hall.^[10]

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

Jazz Bombardier CRJ200 landing

WestJet Boeing 737-700 landing

Cargo

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Regina International Airport.

• Regina International Airport

• Past three hours METARs, SPECI and current TAFs for Regina International Airport from Nav Canada as available.

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