This is part two of our blog series looking back at the history of Winnipeg Richardson International Airport. To read about the early days of the airport, please click here.
Thousands of hours of planning marked the beginning of Winnipeg International Airport's journey under the leadership of Winnipeg Airports Authority. After all, decisions on the airport could be approved locally for the first time since World War II and it was imperative to make a great first impression.
Committed to serving the community from day one, WAA launched the Goldwing Ambassador Program almost immediately after the airport was transferred from the federal government to the organization on January 1, 1997. The award-winning service helps create a positive impression of our city and province by assisting passengers at the airport. That same year, WAA employees planted a garden in support of Winnipeg Harvest - a tradition which continues today.
WAA knew, however, it had to do more than just give back to be a source of pride for Manitobans. It's why it set out to create a strategic plan to meet the needs of the community, provide excellent facilities as well as expand air service to and from Winnipeg. After replacing all the runways, the organization started drawing blueprints for a major airport redevelopment which included a multi-level parkade, a roadway system and a new state-of-the-art terminal constructed.
Despite its many renovations, Winnipeg International Airport was bursting at the seams. The terminal was originally designed to handle 600,000 passengers per year, but was now serving travellers in the millions. The new, environmentally-friendly facility, built with the surrounding prairie landscape in mind, officially opened in 2011 after four years of construction. While the terminal was only 30 per cent bigger in size, it featured 70 per cent more useable space and successfully accommodated the growing security needs of a 21st century airport.
As it prepared for its new future, the airport underwent a significant change in honour of its past. On December 6, 2006, Winnipeg International Airport was renamed Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport as a tribute to the founder of Western Canada Airways - the first major carrier to use the airport.
On top of establishing the airport as a transportation hub, WAA has also built a reputation for Winnipeg as one of the country's top air cargo centres. More than 300 freight planes land and takeoff from YWG every month, moving goods like online purchases around the world. This, paired with steadily increasing passenger traffic, has helped create hundreds of valuable jobs and billions of dollars in economic output for the community.
Despite all of its success, WAA has also weathered turbulent times. The organization was impacted following 9/11, during the 2007 recession and, most recently, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Winnipeg Richardson International Airport went from serving 4.5 million passengers a year to a projection of less than two million in 2020 almost overnight. In response, just like previous disruptions, WAA is taking action to minimize the effects of the pandemic so it can continue to serve the community as well as lead transportation innovation and growth.
Construction on a new $27-million Ground Services Equipment building started in 2018 to improve operational efficiency and make way for a highly-anticipated expansion. Work is currently underway on the $62-million Air Cargo Logistics Facility, to help further cement Winnipeg Richardson International Airport's status as a leading freight hub. Since taking over YWG more than two decades ago, WAA has spent $1 billion dollars into transforming the airport campus into a major transportation centre. It's an investment that will continue to grow to make sure the community's needs are met, build on the airport's legacy and help propel the province into the future.
