Fort McMurray International Airport – Ft McMurray's Homepage

Suspicious Package at Fort McMurray International Airport Closes Terminal for Approximately 8 Hours Last Friday

Fort McMurray International Airport closed down a terminal last Friday, November 13, after a suspicious package was found, and the terminal stayed closed for about 8 hours as an investigation took place and security ensured that there were no current threats. Hundreds of people and passengers were evacuated after the suspicious package was located at the main terminal of the airport. The Wood Buffalo RCMP has said little about the details surrounding the terminal closing or the package that caused it. According to a statement made after the incident on Saturday by Wood Buffalo RCMP Constable Ashley Quallie “What we can say is there is no longer a threat and the airport is now open again.” A statement by the airport said that the package was “identified, isolated and secured, and is no longer a threat.”

The Wood Buffalo RCMP arrived at Fort McMurray International Airport at around 4:40 pm on 11/13 in response to a call about a suspicious package. By 5:20 pm the terminal evacuation was complete. The airport made arrangements for passenger transportation to Chateau Nova Hotel. The Explosive Device Unit of the RCMP had to brought n from Edmonton. Passenger and oilsands worker Neil Hogan described his experience and stated “We weren’t told what was going on. We were just told that we had to leave and it was procedure.” Fort McMurray International Airport spokesperson Joanne Meredith told the media that 5 flights and 265 passengers were affected by either delays or cancellations because of the terminal closing.

Additional Funding for Fort McMurray International Airport Expansions and Upgrades Announced

Additional funding, in the amount of $25 million, has been granted to Fort MacMurray International Airport by the federal government for expansions and upgrades. This additional funding will open up opportunities for a larger number of cargo flights and international flights. The grant was revealed by Health Minister Rona Ambrose on Friday, and the revelation was made at the observation deck in the airport. A majority of the grant funds will be used to pay for a runway extension and an expansion of the main terminal at the airport. Other projects that will be covered by the grant funds include an emergency crosswind runway and the development or two new taxiways to handle general aviation needs.

David Yurdiga, the Fort McMurray-Athabasca MP, discussed the additional funding for Fort McMurray International Airport. Yurdiga said “Projects that result in gains for the Canadian economy are important building blocks of a strong community. The Fort McMurray International Airport is critical to shipping goods and transporting people. Our employees and employers and businesses rely on the airport, and it serves as a major gateway to the Athabasca region. Ensuring it has the capacity it needs today while making room for future growth is of the utmost importance.” Kyle Harrietha, a Fort McMurray-Cold Lake Liberal candidate, criticized the time it took to get the grant, saying in a press release “It’s unfortunate the Conservative Government bases its planning and investment decisions on the timing of an election. Decisions like this should be based on prudent planning and a thorough needs assessment. It’s clear this investment should have happened years ago, but better late than never.”