Ready for Takeoff: A New Runway for Calgary, no Flights Delayed
As Calgary International Airport grew into one of Canada’s busiest airports, its West Runway had to keep pace with growing demands.
When Calgary International Airport’s (YYC) West Runway was built in 1939, most planes were small, unpressurized and the preserve of the wealthy. In the eight decades since, the runway has carried ever-heavier traffic — both in numbers and in weight. By the early 2020s, it was reaching the end of its useful life, according to Calgary Airport studies.
The runway — one of the longest in Canada — needed to be completely removed and replaced to meet the needs of modern aviation. Hence, the airport’s announcement in 2021 of a CAD $200-million runway rehabilitation project “to ensure YYC remains safe, efficient and future-ready.”
The airport was looking for long-term durability without short-term interruption: With more than 19 million passengers in 2025, the flights must go on. Calgary Airports turned to Amrize for its ability to deliver large-scale, aviation-grade paving projects and its expertise working in complex, high-traffic environments.
A runway that performs today and endures for tomorrow
Calgary International Airport and West Runway from above, highlighting the scale behind the high-performance airfield.
Calgary Airports was confident in Amrize’s ability to deliver complex airfield construction, based on its demonstrated expertise and commitment to safety, quality and schedule certainty.
The project called on Amrize to supply and install hundreds of thousands of tons of asphalt, aggregates and on-site granular material. With long-term reliability a top priority, Amrize used a paving approach that would get the job done right today and for generations to come.
By using an echelon sequence with three pavers running side by side, the team was able to pave the width of seven traffic lanes in a single pass. This approach keeps the asphalt hot, reduces the number of seams and creates a smoother, longer-lasting surface. Using millimeter-precise GPS, every meter of the 3,863m (12,675 feet) runway was placed with the utmost precision.
"We’re proud to be the partner of choice for Calgary Airports on a project of this scale,” says Dan Schrader, senior project manager at Amrize. “Not only are we improving the performance of the runway today, but we’re supporting decades of safe and reliable operations for one of Calgary’s most critical assets.”
Building the runway while flying the planes
Construction began in April 2024, with a two-season approach that kept operations running and respected key conservation priorities.
Working within an active airport environment required meticulous planning. To ensure sufficient airfield capacity during the busy summer travel period, Amrize worked closely with Calgary Airports and PCL Construction to sequence construction while maintaining two operational runways at all times.
“Maintaining safe, secure and efficient operations is our number one priority,” said Laura Samson, director, Airport Operations at Calgary Airports. “That focus allowed Calgary Airports to continue connecting people and communities while delivering a generational investment in our airport.”
For Schrader, the project speaks to the team’s ability to perform under pressure.
“Upgrading one of Canada’s longest runways while maintaining full operational capacity demonstrates our ability to deliver complex infrastructure projects,” he said. “Beyond improving airport operations, this work supports Calgary’s regional economy, strengthens connectivity and advances how the community and its travelers live.”
That community-minded approach extended to environmental stewardship as well. Strategic watering managed dust, while erosion and sediment controls protected nearby waterways and topsoil. Careful management of stockpiles and haul routes further helped minimize impact, and all materials were tested both in-house and by third parties to ensure adherence to YYC’s safety and environmental standards.
From temperature to placement, every detail is controlled during paving to ensure consistency across the entire runway.
Ready for the next generation of flight
Thanks to diligent management and skilled teamwork, flights and ground operations continued uninterrupted throughout the project.
With completion in December 2025, the West Runway now stands as the backbone for Calgary’s airport, ready to handle today’s traffic and tomorrow’s growth.
More than a resurfacing, it’s a transformation that ensures YYC is ready for takeoff — every flight, every day.