Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport (IATA: YXE, ICAO: CYXE) is an international airport located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. The airport is served by passenger, courier and air freight operators. It is named for John Diefenbaker, the 13th Prime Minister of Canada.

The airport has nine passenger bridges, three ground loading positions, 32 check-in points and a customs/immigration arrivals area.

Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport.

For international arrivals the airport is classified as an airport of entry by Nav Canada and is staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). CBSA officers at this airport can handle aircraft with no more than 200 passengers. However, they can handle up to 300 if the aircraft is unloaded in stages.

In 2017, the airport saw a total of 1.46 million passengers pass through, which was an increase of 0.6% over the previous year.

Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport.

Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport Saskatoon International Airport
IATA: YXE ICAO: CYXE WMO: 71866
Summary
Airport type	Public
Owner	Transport Canada
Operator	Skyxe
Serves	Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Hub for	Pronto Airways Transwest Air Express Air
Time zone	CST (UTC−06:00 - no DST)
Elevation AMSL	1,654 ft / 504 m
Coordinates	52°10′15″N 106°42′00″W
Map
Location in Saskatchewan
Runways
Direction Length Surface ft m 09/27 8,300 2,530 Asphalt 15/33 6,200 1,890 Asphalt
Statistics (2016)
Aircraft movements 95,677 Total passengers 1,452,349
Sources: Canada Flight Supplement, Transport Canada Environment Canada Movements from Statistics Canada Passengers from Business View Magazine (p. 13)

History

Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport.

NAV CANADA Control Tower Constructed in 2000

Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport.

Check-in for Air Canada and WestJet

Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport.

Check-in for Pronto, Skyservice, Sunwing, Northwest, and Air Transat in 2008

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.

From 1940-7, the city leased the airport to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The airport became RCAF Station Saskatoon. The station was a part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, and the station was home to No. 4 Service Flight Training School. 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.

Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport.

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).

From 1950-78 the Airport was again made a station of the RCAF. Please See RCAF Station Saskatoon for more information.

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.

Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport.

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 Skyxe (legally known as 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. In 2006 the airport also expanded public parking to 500 stalls. In March 2008 work started on the rehabilitation of runway 09/27, taxiway Foxtrot and Alpha at a cost of $16 million.

Between October, 2005 and May 2008 Air Canada ended "mainline" service into Saskatoon, turning over routes to Air Canada Jazz. In 2006, 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 2008, United Airlines began non-stop regional service from Denver that operated until 2015. In 2009, United Airlines announced regional service from Chicago that operated until 2014.

Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport.

In March 2015, Missinippi Airways began thrice-weekly service to Saskatoon direct to Flin Flon, Manitoba with a one-stop connection to The Pas, Manitoba.  Missinippi Airways ceased flying out of Saskatoon three months later. In June, 2016, New Leaf Airlines announced they would begin flying to Kelowna and Hamilton direct from Saskatoon twice weekly beginning July 27, 2016. New Leaf cancelled service to Saskatoon in November 2016.

Expansion 2010s

In 2009, Skyxe 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). Also included in the plan was more retail, including a duty-free outlet, and another food court before the security area. The new design moved security for more room for retail, but also planned to double the size of the security area. The check-in area was not included in the expansion. 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.

Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport.

In 2010 construction started on apron improvements, remote stands and preparatory work to start on reconstruction of the terminal building in 2011. The expansion was designed to accommodate eight bridges, expanded passenger waiting areas, a business/first class lounge and expanded baggage claim area. Phase 1 of Saskatoon International Airport expansion began in 2012. The expansion virtually doubled the size of the air terminal building to 266,670 ft². In 2013, Skyxe completed its phase 1 terminal expansion.  In October, the airport welcomed its first arriving and departing passengers into the expanded terminal. In April 2015, construction of the terminal was completed at overall cost of the project was $53 million.

In February 2016, Skyxe issued request for proposals for Air Terminal Building Groundside Departures Hall Expansion, West Aero Park Development, and Saskatoon International Airport rebranding. Skyxe issued additional request for proposals for Shuttle Parking Lot Development and Apron III and V Pavement Rehabilitation.

Passenger services

The airport contains a small historical display on the main floor. There are also numerous art/photography displays by local artists around the terminal. There is a full restaurant, a Tim Hortons and a Starbucks in the post security area. As well as a Relay store near the entrances.

Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport.

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 11) provides city bus service between the airport and the downtown core.

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

Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport.

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.

Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport.

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport.

Air Canada Express CRJ-200

Cargo

Statistics

Annual traffic

Facilities

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

Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International 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.

Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport.

Accidents and incidents

• On November 24, 1974 a CP Air Boeing 737-200 was flying from Winnipeg International Airport to Edmonton International Airport was hijacked near Saskatoon by a passenger demanding the plane be taken to Cyprus. The hijacker eventually surrendered and the aircraft landed safely in Saskatoon, where the hijacker was arrested.
• On May 22, 2008 a Canadian North Boeing 737-200 en route from Fort MacKay/Horizon Airport encountered a major vibration and fire in the right engine on final approach to Saskatoon. The fire occurred when the aircraft was 50 m (160 ft) above the ground and 1,700 m (5,600 ft) from Runway 33. The aircraft had 102 passengers and 5 crew on board. There were no injuries. The aircraft was operating a charter service (flight 1714) that was scheduled as Fort McKay/Horizon – Saskatoon – Montreal – Moncton.
• On April 1, 2011 a Fugro Aviation Canada Limited CASA C-212, C-FDKM, carrying 3 crew, crashed while attempting a landing at Saskatoon Airport. After declaring an emergency with an engine failure, the aircraft crashed on a Saskatoon street (Wanuskewin Drive) and hit concrete sound barrier. 1 killed, 2 injured.
• On January 9, 2014, an Air Canada Express flight #8588 arriving from Calgary landed normally on Runway 09 and during the subsequent taxiing operation veered off the end of the runway. Fifty-two passengers and four crew members were on board at the time. No one was injured.
• On February 17, 2018, Air Canada Express flight #8585 departing to Calgary International Airport declared an emergency shortly after takeoff after they reported flames near the engine 1 tail pipe. The Canadian made Bombardier Dash 8 Q-400 safely landed back at YXE. No serius injuries were reported.
• On December 21, 2018, Delta Connection flight #4811 departing for Minneapolis International Airport slid off runway 15 while doing a 180 degree turn. There was heavy icing on the runway at the time of the incident.

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