Fliers are being warned to add an extra 30 minutes to their travel plans this summer.

Parking expansions to the Grande Prairie Regional Airport this summer will mean a temporary lot will be built on airport lands approximately 1,000 to 1,500 feet north of the existing lot by the smaller hangars. A shuttle bus service will be offered but the extra distance and the traffic tie-ups mean travellers may want to book extra time when going to the airport.

Typically, depending on the airline, we call for 45 minutes to an hour prior to your departure time in order to get through security, check-in and all that process,? said airport manager Brian Grant. ?What were asking now is once we do announce we are actually into construction, it would be recommended that they add an extra 30 minutes just so they're not rushing against the wall when they arrive here and find out they have an extra 1,000 feet between them and the terminal building.?

Beginning July 1, the airport will start construction to double the size of its parking lot, adding an extra 690 paid stalls. The empty lot immediately to the north of the existing lot and curved ring road will be used for the expansion, which will be done in two phases.

The changes mean the ring road will have to be moved to the far north of the new lot. As well, the internal road system will be changed so that drivers will enter the lot much sooner than they do now.

Curbing outside the terminal will also be revamped to add approximately 50 per cent more metered parking stalls.

Construction is expected to be done by September, although the airport is suggesting mid-October may be the actual time frame.

In the meantime, disrupting traffic and parking at the airport is unavoidable.

It's a fairly major project and it has some potential for impact, said Grant.

The airport itself has already purchased shuttle buses in preparation for this and we will be operating a shuttle service as required, if we have to move certain parts of the parking lot into an overflow or temporary situation.

SHUTTLE SERVICE PLANNED

While the distance to the temporary parking lot is walk able for many, a shuttle service is planned, but Grant warns the laps may take 10 to 15 minutes each, leading to warnings people should add extra time to their travel day.

The expansion has become a necessity at the airport where passenger loads are continuing to reach new heights. Last year was a record year for the airport in terms of passengers.

Grant said with a slowdown in the oil patch, they had expected this year to be a little less busy, but that is just not happening. Passenger numbers are already above where they were at this time last year.

An overflow gravel lot created just to the east of the main lot has already become regularly used.

Grant said after the expansion is done the overflow should go back to being used mainly for busy periods such as holidays.

THIRD PHASE 4-5 YEARS AWAY

Down the road, a third phase of the parking expansion could occur, adding another 150 to 175 stalls.

However, Grant said that is probably four or five years down the road.

The main terminal is also expecting an expansion soon to its arrivals and baggage section.

Grant said the construction drawings are 90 per cent complete and they hope to have the project out to tender this fall.

Hopefully, he said, that will be early enough to get the metal work done and a shell up so it can be worked on over the winter months.

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