Air restrictions, road closures, access zones reopen to public as G7 wraps up

A civilian aircraft violated Kananaskis airspace restrictions late Sunday morning, Mounties say. Wednesday, airspace restrictions for the area were lifted.

The skies over Kananaskis have reopened to the public.

With world leaders departed from the G7 summit, which ended Tuesday, the RCMP-led integrated safety and security group (ISSG) issued a media statement Wednesday, advising that things are reopening.

That includes the following:

• The Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and all airspace restrictions ended Wednesday at noon.
• Effective at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, the controlled access zone (CAZ) that was in effect around key summit venues will end. Accreditation won’t be required for entry into those areas, and motorized vehicles will be able to access Highway 40 at the intersection of Highway 1, to the north winter closure gate at the junction of the Kananaskis Lakes Trail.
• The tunnel on Airport Trail N.E. reopened after noon Wednesday.

• Highwood Pass/Highway 40 will reopen to all vehicle traffic on Saturday.
• The G7 designated protest zones are no longer in effect.

For updates on the status of trails, trailheads and day use areas, visit the Alberta Parks website. Some sites will have a staged reopening to ensure a safe and sustainable reopening.

Residents may notice continued security presence as ISSG officers clear equipment and help with clean up duties at designated sites.

On Sunday morning around 11 a.m., a civilian aircraft violated airspace restrictions in the Kananaskis area, prompting CF-18 Hornet fighter jets to be deployed to escort the plane out of the area.