Calgary will soon have the largest commercial runway in Canada

Once it’s complete, the new runway at the Calgary International Airport will be the largest commercial runway in the country.

“At 14,000 feet, this runway will be able to handle the largest aircraft in the world,” says Bob Schmitt from the Calgary Airport Authority.

The big project comes with a hefty price tag - $600-million.

“This facility is being paid through the airport improvement fee.  That’s the fee collected on your ticket to pay for airport expansion,” says Schmitt.

To accommodate the million pound weight of an aircraft, the runway has to be built to withstand the load.

There’s a layer of packed gravel, another huge layer of cement stabilizer, and it’s topped with a layer of concrete.  The whole thing measures a metre deep.

Another element being considered for the runway is allowing for simultaneous take offs and landings.  Airport officials say the parallel design will almost double the airfield capacity.

Currently, Calgary’s airport is the fourth busiest in Canada behind Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal.