‘Substantial, positive impact’: new Perimeter Aviation hub nears completion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/08/2024 (658 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Northern Manitoba air travel is going to get a little more comfortable with the opening of a sizable expansion to Perimeter Aviation’s terminal, tripling the size of the Winnipeg facility.

The $21.5-million, 20,000-square-foot expansion, scheduled to be open for travellers later this month, will be followed by the closure of the existing terminal for renovations.

The plan is by sometime early next year, the two facilities will be connected.

Federal Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez was in Winnipeg on Thursday to help show off the modern wood-panelled design, featuring a large fireplace in what will be the waiting room.

The government of Canada contributed $9.5 million to the cost of the facility.

Joey Petrisor, CEO of Perimeter Aviation — a member of the Exchange Income Corp. group of companies — said the additional space will enhance connectivity in every way.

“It will increase our capacity to serve existing customers, allows us to be able to accommodate more passengers and more freight and dispatch the flights quicker,” he said.

Rodriguez spoke about enhancing supply chains and reducing costs for Canadian travellers and shipments of cargo.

“That’s critical for a country the size of Canada,” he said.

“When the system is working well, costs go down.”

The financial contribution was made through the National Trade Corridors Fund, which has committed $4.1 billion to projects since 2017.

On Thursday, Rodriquez also announced $25 million to upgrade three highways in northern Saskatchewan and $11.8 million to expand a short-line rail yard in Oyen, Alta.

As Rodriquez, Petrisor and Winnipeg MP Dan Vandal (also minister of northern affairs) held a news conference in the new facility — which is still being fitted out — the old terminal was jam-packed with travellers.

“I think we outgrew the old terminal 10 years ago,” Petrisor said.

“Northern travellers want to be treated just like everyone else. They want their flights on time, their stuff to arrive on time. They want a nice experience when they check in.”

Perimeter services about 22 communities from its Winnipeg terminal, only two of which are accessible by road year-round.

The airline’s fleet of 30 Dash-8 and Metro aircraft haul vital cargo as well as provide essential transportation services for those communities, including flights for medical appointments.

Compared to the overworked, cramped quarters Perimeter had been operating out of, the new space provides a much more welcoming effect.

“This is going to have a substantial, positive impact on the traveller experience for all the communities that Perimeter services out of this terminal,” said Nick Hayes, CEO of Winnipeg Airport Authority.

As well as additional gates allowing for additional flights, the new terminal will include a Chicken Delight chain restaurant three times the size of the one in the old terminal.

Perimeter will use the opening of the new space as an occasion for a rebranding of sorts.

Newly designed uniforms for its customer service agents and flight crews are on the way, to be put into use, starting mid-month.

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca