Fuel is fuelling Executive Flight Centre's growth at Edmonton International Airport.
The Calgary-based company has become one of the largest independent aviation fuel providers in Western Canada.
But that's not the only reason why it's flying high. The fixed-base operator (FBO) officially opened its new $5-million, 5,100-sq.-m hangar facility last week and is already considering the possibility of further expansion at the International.
That growth potential is being driven by a strong resource sector that uses charter firms with planes of 50 seats or less along with business and corporate jets to allow northern oilsands and diamond ventures to bring in the staff and supplies that they require.
As an FBO, Executive Flight Centre also provides the charters with passenger process services similar to those offered by the more familiar larger carriers such as Air Canada or WestJet at the International's main terminals. Its new facility, located minutes away on airport property, includes a large passenger handling centre, an executive lounge and parking.
Airlines such as North Cariboo Air, the flight centre's main client, can access hangar space if necessary.
North Cariboo, the oldest private air charter carrier in Canada, is headquartered in Fort St. John, B.C., with bases in Calgary and Fort Liard, N.W.T., in addition to Edmonton.
The project was a bit of a gamble for Executive Flight Centre president and CEO Ken Lett. "When you build something like this, you build on spec and you hope that you've assessed the market correctly," he says. "You have to be out in front of the market by a year or two (before you build.)" The centre, a 24/7 operation, employs 16 people and during its busiest periods can handle upward of 50 flights a day.
"This is very unique. FBOs usually don't build terminals. This was done so we can cater to the traffic from the oilsands activity and the work going on in the diamond mines," adds Lett. "This is a focal point for oilsands transportation activity, most of which is done by air."
The building was actually completed late in 2004 but due to high activity during the winter months, the official opening was put on hold until a quieter period.
Executive Flight Centre began its fuel operations at the International in 1998 and has already completed two major design-build projects at the airport, a sort centre leased to Federal Express and the construction of a large hangar for WestJet capable of storing three Boeing 737s.
Edmonton Airports president and CEO Reg Milley hailed the new centre not only as a vote of confidence in the International but as a contribution to the economic growth of the Greater Edmonton region.
Milley was joined at the official opening last week by Lyle Oberg, Alberta's minister of infrastructure and transportation, Edmonton deputy mayor Dave Thiele and a representative from Transport Canada.
But while the fanfare was focused on Edmonton, the Executive Flight Centre team is keeping busy with the completion of new hangar facilities in Calgary that are being leased to the Calgary Police Service. The project includes two hangars with a common wall and will be similar in size to the Edmonton undertaking. However, that venture is expected to cost more because of the required attachments and workshops.
Lett says they're in the process of putting the roof on in Calgary and expects that the project should be finished toward the end of August.
(Laura Severs can be reached at laura@businessedge.ca)
