Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport

History

On June 1, 1929 the city of Saskatoon was given a "License For Air Harbour" and the airport was established. This provided a home for the Saskatoon Aero Club.

In 1940 the city leased the airport to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The airport became RCAF Station Saskatoon. During the war years this was part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, with the Canadian Forces No. 4 Flight Training School established at the airport. To support these operations four large hangars were built as well as support buildings including a hospital and control tower.

After the war (1947) the airport was transferred to the Canadian Department of Transport for civilian use. That year Trans-Canada Air Lines, now known as Air Canada, started providing passenger service using DC-3 aircraft.

Air Canada in 1950 began operating the Canadair North Star at the airport, followed by the Vickers Viscount in 1955. A new terminal building was also constructed in 1955 by Transport Department architects.

The primary runway (09/27) was lengthened in 1954 and again in 1960 to 8,300 ft (2,530 m). The secondary runway (15/33) was lengthened in 1963 to 6,200 ft (1,890 m).

As a result of the RCAF's post-war expansion, the RCAF re-acquired the military portion of the property and RCAF Station Saskatoon re-opened as an air training facility in October 1950. That same year, No. 23 Wing was formed to oversee 406 (Linx) Squadron and several other Auxiliary (Reserve) Squadrons in Western Canada. Permanent Married Quarters were built at the end of 1952, and the following year, the Air Marshall Curtis School opened for the children of station personnel.

No. 1 Advance Flying School opened at the station in 1952, one of the many Flying Training Schools opened across Canada to train Royal Air Force, RCAF and NATO aircrews. Students at the school trained on Mitchell Bombers and Expeditor aircraft trainers. Other lodger units at the station included, No. 3043 Technical Training Unit (Auxiliary) and No. 4002 Medical Unit (Auxiliary).

In 1956, the Instrument Flying School moved to Saskatoon from RCAF Station Centralia.

In 1962, control of RCAF Station Saskatoon was transferred from Training Command to Air Transport Command, but this change would be short-lived. RCAF Station Saskatoon closed in 1964 and both 406 Squadron and 23 Wing were disbanded.

RCAF Detachment No. 1005 Technical Support Depot was established at the site, serving as a disposal and storage facility for disused aircraft. This detachment remained at the Saskatoon Airport until closing in 1978.

On January 1, 1971, the City of Saskatoon annexed the airport and surrounding lands totalling 2,111.7 acres. The nearby area containing personnel housing and support services was annexed by the city in 1965.

Due to larger aircraft and more frequent flights, in 1972 plans were drafted for a new terminal building. The new terminal built by Holiday and Scott was completed and opened on November 29, 1975. The former terminal was renovated in 1977. From 1977 to 1984 Boeing 747 charter flights were operated by Wardair to Europe until Wardair was bought by Canadian Airlines International.

In 1993 the name of the airport was changed to recognize Canada's 13th Prime Minister John Diefenbaker. In 1995 under the Canada-US Open Skies agreement Northwest Airlines started service to Minneapolis – Saint Paul. In 1996 WestJet began Boeing 737 service. In 1999 the airport was turned over to the Saskatoon Airport Authority, as part of the National Airports Policy.

In 2000 Nav Canada constructed a new control tower and the airport authority began renovations and expansions to the terminal building. In October 2002 the first two phases of renovations to the air terminal building was completed at a cost of $18 million. The updated terminal facilities are designed to handle 1.4 million passengers annually was designed by Kindrachuk Agrey Architects.

In 2005 additional renovations were completed to the check-in area and baggage screening as well as the addition of a fifth bridge. Between October, 2005 and May 2008 Air Canada ended "mainline" service into Saskatoon, turning over routes to Air Canada Jazz. In 2006 the airport also expanded public parking to 500 stalls, Pronto Airways started operating at the airport. In 2006 Transwest Air introduced service to Fort McMurray, Alberta. For a short period of time between 2006 and April 2007 Northwestern Air also operated flights to Fort McMurray.

In March 2008 work started on the rehabilitation of runway 09/27, taxiway Foxtrot and Alpha at a cost of $16 million. In 2008, United Airlines announced non-stop regional service from Denver, which began on September 2, 2008 and operated until 2015. In 2009, United Airlines announced regional service from Chicago; the non-stop flight, which began on June 4, 2009, was replaced on June 10, 2010, by a one-stop flight to O'Hare. Non-stop service, which resumed on August 27, 2013, ended on October 1, 2014. Also in 2009, Delta Air Lines announced service to Salt Lake City. However, it never took flight.

Expansion 2014

In 2009, the Saskatoon airport authority announced a new expansion for the terminal. The plan included nine bridgeable gates and a food court, including a full service restaurant and bar (post-security), there will be more retail as well in that area, including a duty-free outlet. Another food court will be built before the security area.

The new design moved security for more room for retail, but because of the expansion, the new security will be twice as big. The check-in area was not included in the expansion, although it is mentioned that it will be expanded. A new Canadian Customs and Immigration area was put in, as well as two more baggage carousels. The designers also left space that was meant for an American Pre-Customs and Immigration area, so in the future YXE can be upgraded to have U.S. Pre-Clearance area.

The Saskatoon Airport Authority says that new runways, terminal renovations, and expansions will cost $70 million. 1.04 million passengers annually use the Saskatoon airport facility and this is expected to increase to 1.2 million by 2011.

In 2010 construction started on apron improvements, remote stands and preparatory work to start on reconstruction of the terminal building in 2011. The expansion is designed to accommodate eight bridges, expanded passenger waiting areas, a business/first class lounge and expanded baggage claim area.

In 2012, Saskatoon International Airport was the second fastest growing airport of all 15 major airports in Canada. The growth rate of 6.5% allowed Saskatoon Airport to process 1.326 million passengers in 2012. Phase 1 of Saskatoon International Airport expansion also began at a cost of $53 million. Phase 1 was expected to be completed August 2013 followed by Phase 2 to be completed in summer 2014. The expansion will virtually double the size of the air terminal building to 266,670 ft².

In 2013, the Saskatoon Airport Authority completed its phase 1 terminal expansion. United Airlines resumed non-stop service to Chicago, eliminating the station stop at Regina International Airport previously flown by the airline as per its Saskatoon - Chicago route. In October, the airport welcomed its first arriving and departing passengers into the expanded terminal. Phase 2 of the expansion began and is expected to be completed in October 2014. In December, International Currency Exchange (ICE) opened a branch in the main terminal, the first in Saskatchewan. Just under 1.4 million people travelled through the Airport in 2013, the most ever, an increase of 4.8 per cent over the previous year, and 82.6 per cent more passengers than used the airport 10 years before. The new terminal was immediately tested with record setting passenger volumes. December passenger traffic increased 8.8 per cent over the same month one year earlier, making December the second busiest month in the history of the airport, behind only January 2013. The 4.8 per cent increase in annual traffic for 2013 was an all-time record for Saskatoon, and placed the facility among the busiest and fastest-growing airports in Canada. Saskatoon posted increases in all travel sectors during 2013 with domestic travel up 4.3 per cent, travel in Saskatchewan up 6.2 per cent, transborder travel increasing 7.7 per cent and charter travel increasing 4.1 per cent.

in 2014, the Saskatoon International Airport expanded services further adding additional flights and amenities. On February 15, 2014, WestJet Encore launched twice daily service to Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport. WestJet converted its mainline Edmonton operations to Westjet Encore. Westjet also converted its seasonal service to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport to year-round; adding twice weekly flights during the summer schedule. However, United cancelled their service to Chicago. Record traffic passed through the terminal in 2014. An increase of 6.85% year over year attracted 1,484,615 passengers, keeping in mind these passenger numbers were achieved during Phase I and Phase II expansion and construction.

In January 2015, United Airlines notified the Saskatoon Airport Authority (SAA) and the Regina Airport Authority (RAA) that their twice daily service to Denver would cease effective February 28, 2015. This ended United Airlines service to the province of Saskatchewan. United Airlines indicated a number of circumstances as contributing factors to the cancellation in service including fleet replacement issues, the lower Canadian dollar, tough competitive pricing, and a robust American economy. In January SAA reported its busiest month ever. Passenger traffic increased 0.9% year over year showing 133,788 passenger passing through the terminal. In March, Missinippi Airways began thrice-weekly service to Saskatoon direct to Flin Flon, Manitoba with a one-stop connection to The Pas, Manitoba departing Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays using a nine-seat King Air 200. In April 2015, construction of the terminal was completed. Air Canada added an additional flight to Calgary in May with five daily departures. In July, Air Canada launched a new seasonal red eye flight to Toronto, running from July 1 to August 31 served by an Embraer E-175. WestJet increased frequency to it seasonal service to Vancouver from three flights weekly with service six days per week;furthermore, an additional daily flight to its Calgary hub was added. Westjet Encore announced additional service to Edmonton, effective December 15, 2015, adding an additional daily flight for a total of the three.

On January 6, 2016, New Leaf Airlines, a Canadian Ultra Low-Cost Airline (ULCC)announced service from Saskatoon to Abbotsford, Kelowna, and Hamilton commencing February 12, 2016. Less than two weeks after the announcement, New Leaf had to postpone its plans to begin operations in February citing its position was "ambiguous" while the Canadian Transportation Agency reviews licensing of indirect air service carriers. NewLeaf had a charter arrangement with Kelowna, B.C.-based Flair Airlines Ltd., with Flair holding the CTA operating licence, while NewLeaf sold the seats. Missinippi Airways ceased flying out of YXE ending its Thrice weekly direct service to Flin Flon and stop over flight to The Pas, Manitoba due to weak passenger demand. In February 2016, SAA issued request for proposals for Air Terminal Building Groundside Departures Hall Expansion, West Aero Park Development, and Saskatoon International Airport rebranding. Again, in June, 2016, New Leaf Airlines announced that Transport Canada had approved its business model, announcing they would begin flying to Kelowna and Hamilton direct from Saskatoon twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays beginning July 27, 2016. SAA issued additional request for proposals for Shuttle Parking Lot Development and Apron III and V Pavement Rehabilitation. In July, WestJet announced its winter schedule adding a third weekly flight to Phoenix. WestJet also announced an increase in domestic capacity to its hubs from Saskatoon.

Passenger services

The airport contains a small historical display on the main floor. Before security, retail outlets include a Relay and a Prairie Unique Gifts. After security, there is a duty-free shop, Metalsmiths Sterling, and Prairie North Gifts. Food services before security consists of a Tim Hortons, and after security there is another Tim Hortons, a Starbucks, Refuel Restaurant and lounge (full service restaurant) and On the Go yogurt bar. An International Currency Exchange (ICE) located in the main terminal opened in 2014.

There are electrical outlets beside the seats at all of the gates for charging, there is a fireplace, and a kids area.

In February 2015, St. John's Ambulance introduced therapy dogs to the airport, providing a service in putting nervous passengers at ease.

Ground transportation

Saskatoon Transit (Route No 12) provides city bus service between the airport and the downtown core and University of Saskatchewan campus. A transit schedule can be found online.

Taxi service several car rental agencies are available from the airport. United Cabs Limited is the licensed provider of taxi and limousine services. Several hotels near the airport provide shuttle services.

Other air side services

The airport has a variety of additional buildings. These include the International Aviation Terminal (used by Air Canada Cargo, Anderson Aviation, Dryden Air-services). 23 former Air Canada Jazz and Canadian Regional Airlines Fokker F28 aircraft have been stored at the airport since they were retired from the fleet in 2003.

The Saskatchewan Air Ambulance provides fixed wing air ambulance services, and has its headquarters and main base at the airport. There is a hangar for a Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society helicopter out of the Saskatoon airport.

Facilities

Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport Fire Department operates two crash tenders (Oshkosh Stryker 3000) in renovated (2008) fire station to provide fire and rescue services at the airport.

Saskatoon Police Service responds to calls at the airport.

Garda Security is contracted by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority to provide security screening for passengers, non-passengers, and baggage screening. All Screening Officers wear CATSA uniforms. However, are not Government of Canada employees, rather are employed by the contractor.

Accidents and incidents