St. John’s International Airport is located 5.6km northwest of St. John’s, the provincial capital of both Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The airport was opened in 1941, and is owned by Transport Canada and operated by St. John’s International Airport Authority (SJIAA).
The airport handled passenger traffic of 1.31 million people and recorded 44,484 aircraft movements in 2010. The passenger traffic increased by 8% compared to 2009 levels.
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A new access road named World Parkway was opened at the airport in December 2013. The airport authority announced a new 10-year improvement and expansion plan estimated to cost $243m. The planned improvements include expansion of the existing terminal building, parking and roadways, and improvement of the accessibility during low-visibility conditions. The improvements are expected to enable the handling of two million additional passengers per annum, and are expected to be completed in 2023.
Details of the St. John’s airport terminal expansion
The proposed terminal expansion will be carried out in two phases including the east side expansion, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2017, and the west side expansion which is scheduled for completion by the end of 2020. The expansion will double the terminal size to 387,000ft2.
Past expansion projects at the airport
In March 2011 the airport received C$25.8m ($26m) funding towards infrastructure improvements. The project includes installing a category 3 instrument landing system (ILS) on 11/29 runway, new energy-efficient runway approach lighting systems and construction of runway end safety areas (RESAs), asphalt paving, removal of terrain obstacles and other related electrical and civil works.
As of March 2011, the project was in design phase. Construction on the accessibility and safety improvements forming part of the infrastructure improvements began in late 2013 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2015. Nav Canada was assigned the contract to install category 3 ILS at the airport.
In December 2009 the SJIAA completed a $14m worth airfield rehabilitation project in two phases. The first phase of the project, which was completed in 2007, included installation of energy-efficient approach lighting system on runway 16/34.
The second phase involved the rehabilitation of the drainage system and resurfacing of 16/34 runway. It also included installation of low visibility taxiway lighting system. It was completed in 2009.
In 2007, a 45,000m2 central de-icing facility was constructed at a cost of $12m. It became operational in the 2007-08 winter season. The facility improves the operational integrity and safety of the airport.
It also accommodates parking for large aircraft. Hatch and Hatch Mott MacDonald were awarded a contract to provide planning and engineering services for the project.
The scope of the project also included s site-selection study, conceptual and detailed designs and construction management. D. H. Neill Design Services provided electrical design services for the project.
Terminal features at the Canadian airport
The airport has a single terminal with three floors. The terminal building has a total area of 175,000ft2. It was reconstructed and officially re-opened in January 2002.
The first floor of the terminal is facilitated with international arrivals, internet kiosks, a visitor information centre, arrivals area, car rental booths and check-in counters. The facilities in second floor include pre-board screening, a duty free area and departures lounge. The third floor is facilitated with airport authority and tenant offices, observation deck, chapel and a lounge.
The second floor is facilitated with a duty-free area, security screening area, internet kiosks and arrivals area.
Runways at St. John’s International Airport
The airport has three runways paved with asphalt and concrete. The first runway (02/20) is 1,533m in length. The second runway designated 11/29 is the main runway of the airport. It is 2,591m long and can support category 2 ILS.
The third runway (16/34) is 2,135m in length.
Maintenance facilities
Irving Aviation, Torbay Aeroservices (Shell) and Woodward Aviation Services are the fixed based operators (FBO) at the airport.
The ground handling services are provided by Servisair, Provincial Airlines and Air Canada. De-icing operations are carried out by Aero Mag 2000 and Inland Technologies.
Penney’s Holdings offers cleaning services while Commissionaires and Spectrum Security companies provide terminal building and parking lot security services. Bill Aliant provides wireless internet services at the terminal.
Ground transportation
The airport has numerous ground transportation facilities such as buses, shuttle and limousine services. Taxi services are provided by City Wide Taxi.
Six on-site car rental companies, including Avis, Thrifty, Budget, National, Enterprise and Hertz provide services to passengers.
The airport has both short and long term parking spaces located near to the terminal building. It offers more than 850 spaces for parking.
