The Calgary International Airport’s Concourse B, which was significantly damaged in a hailstorm two years ago, is almost ready to welcome passengers, officials say. The airport says it will gradually reopen the building to passengers in 2027. On Aug. 5, 2024, a severe hailstorm hit the northeast quadrant of the city, sending golf ball-sized hail through the roof of the airport facility. The extreme weather caused catastrophic damage and forced officials to close that section of the airport. After seven months of removing damaged material and surveying what needed to be done, the airport decided that instead of just repairing the concourse, it would be renovated as well. Concourse B was built in 1976 so, in addition to a new roof, old walkways have been replaced with ones that have higher ceilings, wider gates and more natural light, along with a view of the city and the Rockies. New I.T. and security offices, along with a new HVAC system are also being installed. Staff say all the remodeling will bring Concourse B up to modern building codes while also incorporating resilience and sustainability into the new structure. Details of the timeline are expected to be unveiled during a media tour on Wednesday. With files from Hannah Lepine
