An airstrip in Okotoks is shutting down after voluntarily surrendering its licence so that it can address safety deficiencies.
The Okotoks Air Ranch Airport will close next Monday because the area around it has been built up over the years and it now requires higher certification.
Airport officials say unauthorized breaches to the landing area, increased regulatory compliance and seasonal elevated levels of wildlife activities on and around the airport, have led management to determine that the current safety risks are excessive.
In order to keep pilots and residents safe a number of things need to be addressed and that could take some time.
The airport operator will make a voluntary surrender of the airport operator’s certificate, on a temporary basis, to Transport Canada.
“The airport has always been a certified airport with Transport Canada and that means that it has a standard of safety and compliance that is to be adhered to and is regulated and over seen by Transport Canada,” said Bryce Medd, GM Okotoks Airport.
Owners with operational aircraft must have it out of the airport before April 18th, at 6:00 p.m and Transport Canada says that no takeoffs or arrivals can occur after that time.
(With files from Bill Macfarlane)
