Charter airline Air Mikisew says it is interested in seeing an airstrip built west of Edmonton. The airline says it plans to chat with Enoch First Nation to build an airport on the reserve.
The discussion between the two parties began about six years ago when the city first looked at closing the City Centre Airport.
Officials began the process of shutting down one of the airport's two runways Tuesday morning.
Edmonton Airports says from now through to the fall, work crews will physically alter runway 16/34 by placing barricades, removing lights and painting signage on its surface. The goal is to ensure pilots know the strip is no longer in operation.
Air Mikisew tells CTV News it is interested in partnering with Enoch to build a small airport. A feasibility study was conducted in 2004, which considered a plot of land just west of Highway 60.
The author of the report says there is a huge business case to build a private airport in Enoch. He says there is plenty of surrounding business in west Edmonton and that many tenants will be looking for space once the City Centre Airport fully closes.
Air Mikisew says it would service northern communities and large oilsands companies. Mikisew says the time to consider the project has arrived.
"As the City Centre Airport now becomes closer and closer to outright closure the issue and the importance for alternative plans for quality and consistent air service between Edmonton and the north ramps up," said Dale Monaghan with Mikisew Group of Companies.
The airline says it has received positive feedback to the idea from local businesses, but there has been no word from actual partners.
Enoch does say the idea is not currently on its radar. Enoch First Nation's economic development boss says the plan does not fit their business strategy.
Air Mikisew says it will still initiate a discussion this fall.
With files from Scott Roberts
