Halifax airport expansion to simplify international connections

The Halifax Stanfield International Airport is planning an expansion meant to improve travel experience and increase cargo operations.

According to CBC, the airport will open an international connections facility in 2025, including an expanded second floor that will allow international passengers to change to domestic flights without racing a floor up or down after exiting customs and collecting their baggage as they do now.

“Prior to that, there was only so much capacity, so we’re looking forward to hopefully welcoming new air services and more international passengers,” Jessica Pettigrew, communications and marketing adviser with the Halifax International Airport Authority, told CBC.

The project is expected to cost an estimated $18 million, with $3 million coming from the province, $8.4 million from the federal government and $6.6 million from the Halifax International Airport Authority.

According to the airport authority, economic benefits to the region should be around $800 million.

The changes will not only help travellers move more quickly through the airport, but also allow them more time to visit its restaurants and shops.

The expansion will also accommodate wide-body aircraft, giving the airport more cargo capacity.

“We’ve already heard from several other airlines who have expressed interest in once the expansion is complete and actually utilizing the new space,” said Pettigrew. “We’re hoping that that comes to fruition and we just continue to build on our international non-stop flight destinations.”

She also noted that the construction should not affect operations at the airport.

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