Page 25 - March 16 2020
P. 25
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR MONDAY MARCH 16 , 2020 PAGE 25
Town Council considers amending airport fees
by Cassie Kushniruk
During the March 10 Committee of the Whole
meeting, Town Council considered amending the
landing and aircraft parking fees at the Edson
Airport.
According to Transportation Manager Sam
Shine, the airport's rates and fees have remained the
same for a period of time and do not accurately
reflect carbon tax laws or the improved runway
maintenance service. The introduction of new
equipment and ice control practices has drastically
enhanced the level of service provided, Shine
noted.
Administration recommended increasing landing
fees for commercial aircrafts over 2000kg not
exceeding 10,000kgs to $18, 10,001kg-20,000kg to
$2.75/1000kg, and 20,000kg+ to $3/1000kg.
Currently, the annual aircraft parking fee is below
industry standard despite improvements to
infrastructure. Shine stated that a fee increase
would bring it closer to the fees charged at other During the March 10 Committee of the Whole meeting, Town Council considered amending the landing
airports while reflecting the cost of improved and aircraft parking fees at the Edson Airport. Pictured is Transportation Manager Sam Shine.
facility services. photo Cassie Kushniruk
Administration recommended increasing parking
fees for aircrafts 2000 kg and under to $5 (daily), factor that into their contracts,” Shine continued. “I around $20,000 a year [through landing fees], and
$100 (monthly), and $700 (yearly); and aircrafts have often been questioned by [larger aircrafts] considering our budget is nearly $500,000, it's a
2,001 and over to $8 (daily), $150 (monthly), and why we don't charge more. So far the feeling has very small percentage.”
$700 (yearly). been that we have been very low on our fees.” Zahara closed, “I think we should have a look at
Additionally, the secure car park fees would CAO Mike Derricott clarified that what those leases and fees are in comparison to
increase to $5 (daily), $140 (monthly), and $700 competitiveness is not just fee-based but can be what is being subsidized by taxpayers and what that
(yearly). service-based as well, “If they always know your percentage is.”
Mayor Kevin Zahara expressed support for runway is clear and they trust the quality of service This item will be brought forward at a future
increasing the fees, “I have a friend that lands here they're going to get, they might be willing to pay Council meeting for further discussion.
all the time and he has commented on how cheap their fees, so there's a lot of different ways to
our landing fees are based on some other areas that differentiate yourself as a place of choice. For some
he lands at. I think that we need to have some sort users, their choice to land in Edson is based more
of cost recovery.” on the service level rather than the fee package.”
Zahara asked if the Town has had any discussions Mayor Zahara noted, “I think an important thing
with Yellowhead County about this fee increase, as for us to keep in mind is that our airport is
they cost share the airport with them 50/50. Shine strategically located within our boundaries…so
replied, “They are in full support of it.” [users] are close to services within the community.
Councillor Troy Sorenson stated that although he You're not going to get that with other airports
would be in favor of user pays and cost recoveries, throughout Northern Alberta, which makes us
he would not be supportive of “changing a number attractive. I would hate for us to give up revenue
just because it hasn't been changed in a number of opportunities by those who are actually benefiting
years”. “I would like to know what the impact of and using that service.”
the carbon tax on your budget is,” he said. Sorenson concurred, adding, “I have no problem
Councillor Jacqui Currie commented, “If we're with raising the fees to justify the additional costs,
doing this increase, I would like to see that we're but I think we should have a set percentage goal for
doing that same percentage increase across the cost recovery so that if carbon taxes double over
board. I would prefer to see fees that have a the next few years, we'll have a justified reason to
percentage strategy behind why they were raise these kinds of fees as well.”
increased.” CAO Derricott commented, “One of the
Councillor Sorenson asked if Edson has ever strategies that can be applied here is that every fee
been a fueling stop for aircrafts travelling to nearby in the Fees and Rates Bylaw gets a percentage
cities, such as Calgary or Grande Prairie. increase every single year. Unfortunately, we're
Shine stated that the landing fee for private stuck in a situation where some fees have not been
aircrafts is free and that they just have to pay the addressed for many years, so even if we were just
parking fee. “The biggest attraction for them is to add inflationary costs to some of those, as well
fuel,” he explained. “The fuel prices here are kind as service and equipment changes, I think we're at a
of out of our control, but it does impact drastically place where there's a gap that has to be addressed.”
our attractiveness and they will avoid us if the fuel Mayor Zahara asked what the cost recovery
is too high.” currently is for airport user fees. Shine replied,
“On the commercial side of things… the landing “The land leases are the major contributional cost
fees don't really impact them too much that they recovery. The landing fees are very small. We make
2020 WEST YELLOWHEAD VISITOR’S GUIDE
W
We are working on the 28th Annual 2020 Visitor’s Guidee are working on the 28th Annual 2020 Visitor’s Guide
t
that focuses on the vast tourism and recreation attractions in this region.hat focuses on the vast tourism and recreation attractions in this region.
The 2020 W
The 2020 West Yellowhead Visitor’s Guide is distributed toest Yellowhead Visitor’s Guide is distributed to
tourist information centres, hotels, motels, parks, businesses,
tourist information centres, hotels, motels, parks, businesses,
provincial and federal information centres in Alberta and B.C.
provincial and federal information centres in Alberta and B.C.
T
To advertise give Sue-Ann a call at 780-723-5787o advertise give Sue-Ann a call at 780-723-5787
or email anchorwk@telusplanet.netwk@telusplanet.net
or email anchor
Town Council considers amending airport fees
by Cassie Kushniruk
During the March 10 Committee of the Whole
meeting, Town Council considered amending the
landing and aircraft parking fees at the Edson
Airport.
According to Transportation Manager Sam
Shine, the airport's rates and fees have remained the
same for a period of time and do not accurately
reflect carbon tax laws or the improved runway
maintenance service. The introduction of new
equipment and ice control practices has drastically
enhanced the level of service provided, Shine
noted.
Administration recommended increasing landing
fees for commercial aircrafts over 2000kg not
exceeding 10,000kgs to $18, 10,001kg-20,000kg to
$2.75/1000kg, and 20,000kg+ to $3/1000kg.
Currently, the annual aircraft parking fee is below
industry standard despite improvements to
infrastructure. Shine stated that a fee increase
would bring it closer to the fees charged at other During the March 10 Committee of the Whole meeting, Town Council considered amending the landing
airports while reflecting the cost of improved and aircraft parking fees at the Edson Airport. Pictured is Transportation Manager Sam Shine.
facility services. photo Cassie Kushniruk
Administration recommended increasing parking
fees for aircrafts 2000 kg and under to $5 (daily), factor that into their contracts,” Shine continued. “I around $20,000 a year [through landing fees], and
$100 (monthly), and $700 (yearly); and aircrafts have often been questioned by [larger aircrafts] considering our budget is nearly $500,000, it's a
2,001 and over to $8 (daily), $150 (monthly), and why we don't charge more. So far the feeling has very small percentage.”
$700 (yearly). been that we have been very low on our fees.” Zahara closed, “I think we should have a look at
Additionally, the secure car park fees would CAO Mike Derricott clarified that what those leases and fees are in comparison to
increase to $5 (daily), $140 (monthly), and $700 competitiveness is not just fee-based but can be what is being subsidized by taxpayers and what that
(yearly). service-based as well, “If they always know your percentage is.”
Mayor Kevin Zahara expressed support for runway is clear and they trust the quality of service This item will be brought forward at a future
increasing the fees, “I have a friend that lands here they're going to get, they might be willing to pay Council meeting for further discussion.
all the time and he has commented on how cheap their fees, so there's a lot of different ways to
our landing fees are based on some other areas that differentiate yourself as a place of choice. For some
he lands at. I think that we need to have some sort users, their choice to land in Edson is based more
of cost recovery.” on the service level rather than the fee package.”
Zahara asked if the Town has had any discussions Mayor Zahara noted, “I think an important thing
with Yellowhead County about this fee increase, as for us to keep in mind is that our airport is
they cost share the airport with them 50/50. Shine strategically located within our boundaries…so
replied, “They are in full support of it.” [users] are close to services within the community.
Councillor Troy Sorenson stated that although he You're not going to get that with other airports
would be in favor of user pays and cost recoveries, throughout Northern Alberta, which makes us
he would not be supportive of “changing a number attractive. I would hate for us to give up revenue
just because it hasn't been changed in a number of opportunities by those who are actually benefiting
years”. “I would like to know what the impact of and using that service.”
the carbon tax on your budget is,” he said. Sorenson concurred, adding, “I have no problem
Councillor Jacqui Currie commented, “If we're with raising the fees to justify the additional costs,
doing this increase, I would like to see that we're but I think we should have a set percentage goal for
doing that same percentage increase across the cost recovery so that if carbon taxes double over
board. I would prefer to see fees that have a the next few years, we'll have a justified reason to
percentage strategy behind why they were raise these kinds of fees as well.”
increased.” CAO Derricott commented, “One of the
Councillor Sorenson asked if Edson has ever strategies that can be applied here is that every fee
been a fueling stop for aircrafts travelling to nearby in the Fees and Rates Bylaw gets a percentage
cities, such as Calgary or Grande Prairie. increase every single year. Unfortunately, we're
Shine stated that the landing fee for private stuck in a situation where some fees have not been
aircrafts is free and that they just have to pay the addressed for many years, so even if we were just
parking fee. “The biggest attraction for them is to add inflationary costs to some of those, as well
fuel,” he explained. “The fuel prices here are kind as service and equipment changes, I think we're at a
of out of our control, but it does impact drastically place where there's a gap that has to be addressed.”
our attractiveness and they will avoid us if the fuel Mayor Zahara asked what the cost recovery
is too high.” currently is for airport user fees. Shine replied,
“On the commercial side of things… the landing “The land leases are the major contributional cost
fees don't really impact them too much that they recovery. The landing fees are very small. We make
2020 WEST YELLOWHEAD VISITOR’S GUIDE
W
We are working on the 28th Annual 2020 Visitor’s Guidee are working on the 28th Annual 2020 Visitor’s Guide
t
that focuses on the vast tourism and recreation attractions in this region.hat focuses on the vast tourism and recreation attractions in this region.
The 2020 W
The 2020 West Yellowhead Visitor’s Guide is distributed toest Yellowhead Visitor’s Guide is distributed to
tourist information centres, hotels, motels, parks, businesses,
tourist information centres, hotels, motels, parks, businesses,
provincial and federal information centres in Alberta and B.C.
provincial and federal information centres in Alberta and B.C.
T
To advertise give Sue-Ann a call at 780-723-5787o advertise give Sue-Ann a call at 780-723-5787
or email anchorwk@telusplanet.netwk@telusplanet.net
or email anchor
