Airport spotting location closed to the public

CALGARY (660 NEWS) — A favourite location for airplane spotters has been shutdown due to safety concerns by YYC International Airport.

The area on the west side of the east runway will be closed for vehicle and pedestrian traffic after debris and garbage was blowing onto the runway.

In a statement, the Calgary Airport Authority knows the spotters are not the ones behind the illegal dumping, but have closed it for the safety of all.

Spokesperson Reid Fiest says it can create danger for aircraft, pilots and passengers.

“These areas have been abused by some illegal dumping and some other illegal activity, and so really the main concern for us is when there’s garbage and different dumping in that area. We’ve found that some of it can blow onto our east runway,” Fiest said.

He said they understand the disappointment from the group, but will work on future locations.

“We’ve engaged with them, sharing the news. And at the moment this is a closure that will exist for some time, but we will continue to engage with the plane spotter community on a potential of other areas,” Fiest added.

Ken Meintzer, founder of the Facebook group ‘YYC Calgary Airport Spotters’ which has thousands of members, says some did not take the news well, but many work there and understand the decision.

“I understand that because of their passion, but it takes a little bit of time for them to catch on that our hobby doesn’t precedence over operation of the airport,” Meintzer said.

Even though there has been an increase of garbage, members have tried to clean up the area.

“A lot of the spotters actually work at the airport too. So, that’s part of our training when you work at the airport is to be aware of garbage and pick it up,” Meintzer added.

Fiest and Meintzer both said they have worked together in the past and will continue to be transparent with each other.

“We wanted to make sure they knew what was happening and why it was happening. They let us know they were disappointed, but they understood the reason behind it,” Fiest said.

“The relationship is solid and it will continue to be so,” Meintzer added.

Although revenue has been down at the airport due to the pandemic, both groups will continue to work together to hopefully find a solution in the future.

In the meantime, the group says there are a number of other locations they can use around the airport.