Jazmin Li
Lethbridge Airport (IATA: YQL, ICAO: CYQL), previously known as Lethbridge County Airport, is located 4.6 miles from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. The airport was originally called Kenyon Field and began its passenger services in October 1938. During World War II, Kenyon Field served as a training facility under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Lethbridge Airport offers scheduled services to Calgary, Alberta, with flights operated by airlines such as WestJet.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Lethbridge Airport's history
Lethbridge Airport, also known as YQL Lethbridge Airport, is located 4 nautical miles (7.4 km; 4.6 mi) south-southeast of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. It is currently a designated Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) aerodrome, providing full passenger screening. The airport also serves as a regional airport, offering charter, maintenance, flight training, and specialty aviation services.
The history of aviation in Lethbridge dates back to the early 20th century when various ad-hoc sites were used for emerging aviation activities. In the 1920s, the City of Lethbridge obtained a license to operate a public aerodrome south of the Exhibition Grounds, which later became the site of the Lethbridge Collegiate Institute. In 1938, the city relocated airport operations to its present site, originally named Kenyon Field. Kenyon Field consisted of two hard-surfaced runways, connecting taxiways, runway lighting, and radio and meteorological services, enabling round-the-clock operations in all weather conditions.
Passenger services at Kenyon Field began in October 1938, and the airport officially opened in June 1939. During World War II, Kenyon Field became a training facility under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), administered by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). It hosted the No. 5 Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) and later the No. 8 Bombing and Gunnery School, both providing instruction to local flying club members. Due to frequent windy conditions, the flying school relocated to High River in 1941.
In 1947, the RCAF's mess hall was converted into an air terminal building by the Department of Transportation, now known as Transport Canada. During this time, passenger flights operated by Trans-Canada Air Lines (later Air Canada) became more regional, offering turboprop services to Lethbridge, Calgary, and Edmonton. However, all scheduled passenger service to Lethbridge ceased in the early 1970s.
In the 1980s, Time Air operated direct flights from Lethbridge to Vancouver and nonstop services to Great Falls, Montana. By 1997, Lethbridge County assumed ownership of the airport, and it was renamed Lethbridge County Airport. The airport continued to undergo management changes and improvements over the years, including the transfer of ownership back to the City of Lethbridge in 2018. Today, the City of Lethbridge is exploring potential expansion opportunities, including new routes with Flair Airlines.
Elevator Access at Oakland Airport: A Smooth Connection?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Location and distance from Lethbridge
There is indeed an airport in Lethbridge, Lethbridge Airport (IATA: YQL, ICAO: CYQL), which is located 4.6 miles (7.4 km) or 10–15 minutes' drive from downtown Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
Lethbridge Airport, previously known as Kenyon Field and then Lethbridge County Airport, is situated 4 nautical miles (7.4 km; 4.6 mi) south-southeast of Lethbridge. The airport is around 10–15 minutes' drive from downtown Lethbridge.
The airport has a long history, beginning as a training facility under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan during World War II. It was operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force, who also hosted the No. 5 Elementary Flying Training School, which provided instruction with the help of local flying club members. The airport experienced windy conditions, which led to the school's relocation in 1941. The No. 8 Bombing and Gunnery School, another training facility, also operated here, leasing around 100 sq mi (260 km2) of land from the nearby Blood Indian Reserve for their practices.
Lethbridge Airport has seen several airlines operate from its premises over the years, including Trans-Canada Air Lines (which became Air Canada), Time Air, Ontario Express, and Alberta Citylink, offering flights to various destinations. These have included direct flights to Vancouver, Great Falls, Montana, and Calgary, as well as Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg, and more.
Today, the airport continues to offer scheduled services to Calgary, with prices starting at around CA $135 for a one-way trip, according to Expedia.
Exploring Rome: Multiple Airports, One Historic City
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Airlines and destinations
Lethbridge Airport (IATA: YQL, ICAO: CYQL), previously known as Lethbridge County Airport, is located 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) south-southeast of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. It is a 10–15 minute drive from downtown Lethbridge and offers scheduled services to Calgary, Alberta.
The airport was previously served by Air Canada, which operated Vickers Viscount turboprop service on the Lethbridge-Calgary-Edmonton route before ceasing all scheduled passenger service to Lethbridge in the early 1970s. Air BC also served the airport, operating British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 31 between Lethbridge and Calgary. Time Air operated direct service to Vancouver via an intermediate stop in either Kelowna or Penticton, British Columbia during the 1980s, as well as nonstop service to Great Falls, Montana, in 1988. In 1993, Time Air began operating as Canadian Regional Airlines, and by 1999, it was operating Dash 8 turboprops and Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner on its flights to Calgary. Alberta Citylink also flew the BAe Jetstream 31 turboprop to Calgary as Air Canada Connector.
Currently, WestJet offers flights from Lethbridge County to Calgary International Airport, Victoria International Airport, and Fort McMurray.
Bakersfield Airport: Size, Significance, and Scope
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Airport classification
Yes, there is an airport in Lethbridge, Canada. Lethbridge Airport (IATA: YQL, ICAO: CYQL) is located 4.6 miles from Lethbridge and has a scheduled service to Calgary, Alberta.
The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has a system for classifying airports, heliports, and aviation bases. The classification is primarily based on the level of commercial passenger traffic through each facility. Airports are categorised by the type of activities they host, including commercial service, primary, cargo service, reliever, and general aviation.
Commercial Service Airports
Commercial service airports are publicly owned and must have at least 2,500 passenger boardings each calendar year to be classified as such. They must also receive scheduled passenger services. Commercial service airports are further divided into primary and non-primary airports.
Primary Airports
Primary airports are commercial service airports that handle more than 10,000 passenger boardings each year. These are further divided into non-hub, small hub, medium hub, and large hub primary airports. The classification is based on the number of passenger boardings as a fraction of the national total.
Non-Primary Airports
Non-primary airports are those that handle between 2,500 and 10,000 passengers each year.
Reliever Airports
Reliever airports are large general-aviation airports located in metropolitan areas that serve to offload small aircraft traffic from hub airports in the region.
General Aviation Airports
General aviation airports handle fewer than 2,500 scheduled passengers each year and have at least 10 aircraft based at the facility.
Cargo Service Airports
Cargo service airports are served by aircraft providing transportation of cargo, in addition to any other air transportation services that may be available.
Airport Classes
The FAA also classifies airports into four classes, based on the type of air carrier operations served: Class I, II, III, and IV. Class I airports serve all types of scheduled operations of large air carrier aircraft, while Class II airports serve scheduled operations of small air carrier aircraft and unscheduled operations of large air carrier aircraft. Class III airports are those that will be newly certificated, and Class IV airports are those that have maintained an AOC after losing scheduled large air carrier aircraft service.
Dallas Airport: Managing Busy Travel Hubs Efficiently
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Former names
Lethbridge Airport in Alberta, Canada, has undergone several name changes throughout its history. Originally known as Kenyon Field, the airport began passenger services in October 1938 and officially opened in June 1939. With the outbreak of World War II, Kenyon Field became a training facility under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). During this time, it was called RCAF Station Lethbridge.
Following the war, in 1947, the RCAF's mess hall was converted into an air terminal building by the Department of Transportation (now Transport Canada). This building was replaced by the current facility in 1979. By the early 1970s, Trans-Canada, which later became Air Canada, ceased all scheduled passenger service to Lethbridge.
In the following decades, various airlines operated flights from Lethbridge, including Time Air, which offered direct service to Vancouver and nonstop service to Great Falls, Montana, in the 1980s. Lethbridge County assumed ownership of the airport on January 1, 1997, and it was renamed Lethbridge County Airport. The airport is currently known as Lethbridge Airport, and its IATA code is YQL.
Exploring Airlines Operating From Islip Airport
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Lethbridge Airport (IATA: YQL, ICAO: CYQL) is located 4.6 miles from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
The Lethbridge Airport was previously known as Kenyon Field and Lethbridge County Airport.
The Lethbridge Airport began its passenger services in October 1938 but officially opened in June 1939.
The airport is approximately 10-15 minutes drive from downtown Lethbridge.
Some of the destinations with direct flights from Lethbridge Airport include Calgary, Vancouver, Great Falls, Montana, and Victoria.
