Peterborough Airport Master Plan

Background

Peterborough Airport (CYPQ) is owned by the City of Peterborough and Operated by the Loomex Group. The City has commissioned an Airport Master Plan Update for the facility and has retained HM Aero Aviation Consulting to collaborate with City staff to complete the assignment.

The Airport Master Plan Update will consider emerging industry trends and serve as a future-oriented guide over the next 15 years, identifying potential business opportunities to increase the overall economic and social benefit of the Airport. The Plan will build upon past and current marketing and development executed by the City, Peterborough Economic Development, and other partners and will re-confirm the Airport’s many diverse roles – including supporting passenger air services, industrial aviation, flight training, and general aviation activities.

What is an Airport Master Plan?

The Peterborough Airport Master Plan Update will encompass a 15-year planning horizon (2022-2037) and will identify key requirements and investments to support the Airport’s growth and development during this period. The objectives of the assignment are as follows:

• Update the profile and role of the Airport for the next 15 years;
• Reaffirm and identify new business development opportunities to continue positioning the Airport as an economic driver within the region;
• Re-examine the impact the Airport has on the local and regional economy;
• Assess current infrastructure and provide recommendations for rehabilitation and/or expansion to meet forecast demand;
• Evaluate current facilities and determine deficiencies and requirements;
• Document a business strategy for short (5 year), medium (6-10 year), and long term (11-15 year) development initiatives required to meet future demand;
• Guide future airport development in a safe and cost-effective manner while complying with relevant Transport Canada Regulations;
• Prepare a 15-year Capital Plan identifying all required financial investments; and
• Identify new revenue streams, potential funding sources, and strategic goals and objectives.

Once completed, the Airport Master Plan will serve as guide for decision makers with a systematic series of recommended practices for consideration and potential implementation by the City of Peterborough and its partners.

Stakeholder Engagement

An important part of the assignment is engaging with stakeholders to assist in identifying opportunities for Peterborough Airport. The HM Aero project team wishes to better understand the needs and motivations underlying the region’s travel patterns, the Airport’s aviation industrial centre of excellence, and other opportunities to ensure Peterborough Airport’s continued role as an economic driver.

The priority of the City and HM Aero is the collection and consideration of stakeholder input to ensure the Master Plan recommendations rely on comprehensive, accurate, and current information. In addition to direct interviews with Airport tenants, staff and other key individuals, there were three primary methods of public engagement available in support of the study:

1. Resident Survey: To understand passenger air service needs, travel patterns and preferences, and general perspectives of residences.
2. Business Survey: To confirm passenger air service needs, travel patterns and preferences, and general perspectives of regional businesses.
3. Project Webinar: A virtual project open house to provide an overview of the project’s objectives and to identify opportunities for individuals to share their feedback with the project team.

We thank everyone who took the survey, for your time and sharing your thoughtful feedback. Results will be reviewed and included in the report going to Council July 25, 2022.

Project Schedule

The Peterborough Airport Master Plan Update commenced in March 2022 and is scheduled to be approved by City Council by the end of July 2022.

Consulting Team

The Peterborough Airport Master Plan is being completed by HM Aero Aviation Consulting. HM Aero’s project team has significant experience providing airport planning and advisory services to regional airports across Canada, including relevant experience at Peterborough Airport.