Calgary International, Canada’s 3rd-busiest airport, got even more international Monday, with the opening of its new $2-billion, 24-gate International Terminal.
The designed-from-scratch building is built around the latest in airport technology, including new baggage-handling systems to put each bag in its own automated tote to go through the system. The system can process 4000 bags an hour.
Airport operators are sure they’re on a smooth track: most of the systems have been operating fully for months of testing. The new terminal includes Automated Passport Control, and pre-clearance for passengers headed to the U.S., so that they will not have to clear U.S. immigration on arrival.
One change, though, that’s drawing some criticism is having all the passengers wait in two large lounges with shops, seats and services, but no gates. When the gate is ready, passengers will be called to go there, avoiding confusion when there are gate changes. But some passengers have already complained that they’d like to do their walking and then sit at the gate…but there are no waiting areas at the gates.
