Starbucks lovers can now enjoy their favourite specialty beverages at Edmonton International Airport (EIA) with the opening of the first of two new Starbucks.
The new Starbucks in the Domestic Passenger Lounge is now open, featuring Starbucks’ famous menu, including specialty coffees, sandwiches, pastries, packaged coffee and a selection of merchandise.
The second EIA Starbucks will open soon in the U.S. Passenger Lounge, offering the same menu as the first location.
The Starbucks opening is part of series of new and expanded food and beverage options coming on line at EIA in the coming months in response to double-digit passenger growth in the past three years.
Along with the new Starbucks, Montana’s Front Porch has been expanded and reopened last week. The project involved expanding the kitchen facility and adding 28 additional seats in an open air patio seating area to accommodate increased demand during peak periods.
Mexicana Airlines has announced that it will begin operating three flights per week on the Mexico City – Edmonton route starting June 1.
The route will feature the modern Airbus A319 aircraft that can accommodate up to 108 passengers in coach class and 12 in business class.
Northwestern Canadians can now fly directly to Mexico’s beautiful beaches and a wide selection of other destinations throughout the country from Mexicana’s hub at the Mexico City International Airport, where connecting flights are also available to Central and South America and the rest of the world under the airline’s commercial alliances.
"The new route between Edmonton and Mexico City is a strategic addition to our growing passenger network," said Edmonton Airports President and CEO Reg Milley. "Mexico City is a convenient hub for passengers who want to travel to northwest Canada on business or for leisure from Central and South America.”
The Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable Stockwell Day, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Ralph Basham announced the opening of NEXUS kiosks at Edmonton International Airport on Sept. 27, 2007.
NEXUS is designed to expedite the border clearance process for low-risk, pre-approved travellers into Canada and the United States. NEXUS uses non-invasive iris recognition technology to identify the traveller and verify his or her membership in the pogram.
The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection are co-operating in this joint venture to simplify border crossing for members, while enhancing security.
NEXUS applications are now available at Canada Post outlets across the country.
More information
NEXUS website: www.nexus.gc.ca
Phone: 1.866.NEXUS.26
In 2007, EIA served more than six million passengers flying to 53 non-stop destinations in Canada, the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe. To accommodate an estimated nine million passengers by 2012, EIA plans to spend another $1.1 billion on an airport expansion project that will add gates, build a new passenger concourse and expand parking.
More information
Non-stop Sun Destinations – Winter 2007-08
Mexico
Cabo San Lucas: One flight weekly, WestJet
Cancun: Eight flights weekly, Air Canada Vacations, Conquest, Signature, Sunwing, and Air Transat
Manzanillo: One flight weekly, Air Transat
Mazatlan: One flight weekly, WestJet
Puerto Vallarta: Five flights weekly, Signature, Sunwing, Air Transat
Caribbean
Montego Bay: One flight weekly, Air Canada Vacations
Puerto Plata: Two flights weekly, Signature, Air Transat
Punta Cana: Two flights weekly, Air Canada Vacations, Conquest
Santo Domingo: One flight weekly, Sunwing
Varadero: Four flights weekly, Conquest, Signature, and Air Transat
Along with the 10 non-stop sun destinations, direct flights to Liberia-Costa Rica and Cozumel are heating up the winter schedule, bringing the total number of sun destinations to 12. Additional flights to Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Varadero are also served directly.
The seasonal sun destination schedule begins in November and ends in April. Check www.flyedmonton.com for a complete schedule of sun destinations served from Edmonton International.
15-minute rule
During the busy holiday season and as work continues on expanding the parkade, passengers are reminded to arrive at the airport 15 minutes prior to their flight’s earliest check-in time to park, check-in and clear security, ensuring a stress-free travelling experience.
Edmonton International Airport customers are advised to allow for extra time to get to the airport at night over the next three and half months.
Construction will close lanes at night on the Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) Highway from Highway 39 to Ellerslie Road starting May 5. The work includes paving a five-kilometre section of the northbound lanes and a 17-kilometre section of the southbound lanes. Crack sealing will start May 5 and repaving will begin May 20. Construction is expected to take approximately three months to complete, weather permitting.
Motorists are asked to use caution in the area and obey all signs, flag persons and traffic control devices. In construction zones motorists are reminded that they must observe the posted speed. When workers are present, fines for speeding in these areas will be doubled.
The Alberta government is making its photo ID cards available to children as young as 12 as a result of new Transport Canada rules that now require children to show identification to board aircraft.
The new Identity Screening Regulations, which take full effect Sept. 18, 2007, require all passengers planning to travel on Canadian domestic flights, who appear to be 12 years of age or older, to present the following ID before boarding:
One piece of valid government-issued photo ID that shows name, date of birth,
and gender.
or
Two pieces of valid government-issued ID (without a photo), one of which shows
name, date of birth, and gender.
The name on the identification must match the name on the boarding pass.
The cards can be bought from Alberta registry offices for fees ranging from $12 for a one-year card to $39 for a five-year card.
Children applying for the cards must have their parent's written consent and present a birth certificate.
Alberta law prevents people from holding two government-issued photo ID cards at the same time, so children will have to turn in their cards if they later apply for learners' permits or drivers' licences.
For the comfort and well being of all passengers and employees, Edmonton International Airport will become a smoke-free facility and workplace effective Nov. 1, 2007.
All indoor smoking areas will be closed. For the convenience of those who would like to smoke, six clearly marked outdoor smoking areas will be available pre-security on both the Departures and Arrivals Levels. Outdoor smoking areas will be located away from doors and other high-traffic pedestrian areas.