Passengers inconvenienced by Edmonton airport construction during busy long weekend

Air passengers are voicing their annoyance with construction at the Edmonton International Airport that’s making travel slightly more inconvenient.

Major upgrades underway at the original departures zone means that area is fully closed to all traffic. Work is expected to last until next year.

The lower-level arrivals area is closed to personal vehicles; it will be open only to commercial vehicles and passengers needing accessible access.

Travellers have to walk roughly five minutes through the parkade to get to and from the terminal.

With many people travelling for Thanksgiving weekend, the changes had Edmontonians scratching their heads. Speaking to CityNews Saturday, they said the construction-related changes were a hassle.

“Makes more inconvenience, I guess, because usually you get dropped off and go right in. Now we have to walk for another five, six minutes or so,” one person said.

“Little bit confusing,” added another. “My brother-in-law is coming to pick me up and had to guide me through it.”

WATCH: Edmonton Airport Construction means changes to passenger drop-off and pick-up

Workers in the area say Friday was the busiest travel day since construction began at the airport last month, with vehicles sitting bumper to bumper at the drop-off zone. They were expecting return flights and pickups on Thanksgiving Monday to cause long lineups again.

The airport has asked departing travellers to arrive 15 minutes earlier than they normally would to account for the change.

“Especially with a lot of baggage, and families as well with a lot of stuff you’re taking into the airport, can make it a bit more difficult,” said one traveller.

The airport says it has a plan in place for the cold weather, with shuttles and warming huts in the works for November to April.

—With files from Adrienne South