Surge in Medicine Hat Airport Traffic Driven by Student Pilots

The Medicine Hat Regional Airport in Alberta has experienced a significant increase in traffic, largely attributed to a growing number of high school students participating in a flight training program. This year, over 50 students, including 17-year-old Claire Courty, have taken to the skies, completing approximately 20 flights since January 2024. The program, a collaboration between the Dave Rozdeba South Alberta Flight Academy and Super T Aviation, allows students to earn their private pilot’s license while completing their high school education.

According to airport manager Logan Boyd, the surge in activity has positioned Medicine Hat as one of Canada’s fastest-growing airports in terms of air traffic. Statistics Canada indicates that the number of takeoffs and landings at the airport is up by 48 percent compared to the previous year. Specifically, there were 28,263 movements recorded, a substantial increase from 19,097 in 2023.

Student Engagement Fuels Growth

The high school flight academy is responsible for approximately one-third of the airport’s total movements, equating to about 4,700 flights. Director of Super T Aviation, Doug Little, noted that student engagement in the program has been steadily increasing. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport served around 75,000 passengers annually, but that figure dropped to 33,000 in 2024. Despite this decline, Little forecasts that the airport will exceed 30,000 movements in the upcoming year due to expanded training opportunities.

Boyd also highlighted the role of HALO Air Ambulance and CanWest Air in the uptick of traffic. The air ambulance service operates helicopters for emergency response across southeast Alberta, contributing to increased flight activity at the airport.

Courty, who is currently in Grade 12 and aspiring to become a commercial pilot, described her initial flight as exhilarating. “It was really exciting. It was a lot of adrenaline,” she shared while participating in a workshop at the airport where students are constructing a small aircraft. The flight students dedicate much of their week at Prairie Rose’s newly established facility near the airport, balancing their aviation training with traditional high school studies.

Program Growth and Economic Impact

When the flight academy was established in 2019, it started with only 11 students. The enrolment has now expanded to 51 students in 2025. Reagan Weeks, superintendent of Prairie Rose Public Schools, emphasized the importance of the skills students gain through the program, including leadership and public speaking. This training equips them for future employment opportunities in various fields.

A notable success story from the academy is a graduate from the inaugural class in 2021, who has recently secured a position as a commercial pilot with WestJet. This achievement reflects the program’s effectiveness in preparing students for careers in aviation.

The increased traffic at Medicine Hat Regional Airport is a positive sign for an establishment still recovering from the pandemic’s impact. The 33,000 passengers recorded in 2024 remain significantly below the pre-pandemic peak of 75,000 in 2019. Currently, the airport offers one daily flight between Medicine Hat and Calgary through WestJet’s Encore service, a stark contrast to the multiple carriers and numerous flights available before the pandemic.

Boyd reiterated the importance of showcasing increased activity at the airport to attract further investment and growth in the sector. In support of this initiative, Premier Danielle Smith highlighted the significance of bolstering regional and rural airports as part of Alberta’s transportation strategy. In 2024, the provincial government allocated $275,000 in grants to Medicine Hat’s airport for an ongoing master plan aimed at future expansion.

Selena McLean-Moore, director of Medicine Hat’s economic development team, described the flight academy as a vital asset for the regional aerospace and defense industry. She noted, “Through the training, they are able to support a pipeline of workforce that could impact our defense and aerospace industry in southeast Alberta.”

The growth in activity at Medicine Hat Regional Airport not only signifies a recovery from past challenges but also sets the stage for a more prosperous future in aviation for the region.