by Nancy Gardiner
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 25/97) - Northern air travellers landing at Edmonton's International airport and overnighting, get those wallets out.

The Edmonton International Airport is charging a user fee of $10 to renovate the aging facility.

The airport has managed since Aug. 1, 1992, by the not-for-profit private company -- Edmonton Airports.

Susan Elliott, corporate communications adviser for Edmonton International Airport, told News/North the money is being used to expand and redevelop the airport terminal building and parking lot.

The $230-million renovation project is projected to take between 18 to 23 years, but how long the user fee will be charged depends upon the final project cost, she added. The fee will continue to be charged for 18 to 23 years or beyond -- until the remaining bill is eroded.

The Edmonton International Airport is 35 years old and has never undergone a major renovation, Elliott said.

As a result, there's leaky roofs, corroded plumbing and "a space crunch as well, with four million passengers expected this year in a building designed for one and a half to two million passengers," Elliott said.

There's also "serious congestion at the baggage claim area -- it's elbow-to-elbow."

The retail and beverage areas are tight and more outlets would come in -- (generating more revenues) -- if they had space, she said.

The space shortage also affects the check-in counter and there's no room for new airlines, while the parking lots and boarding gates are at capacity.

The parking lot will see 1,000 new spaces added this year and a multi-level parkade next year. Retail outlet renovations are taking place this year too.

"For the most part, people are OK about it. But some people would prefer (the cost) come out of general tax revenues," said Elliott.

Connecting passengers don't pay, she added. But passengers who arrive at the airport and stay past midnight before making a connection would be charged the fee, if they are continuing on with their air travels.

However, passengers who stay past midnight due to bad weather flight delays or other unexpected stopovers due to airline problems, would not have to pay, she added. Customers who are incorrectly charged the fee can send a copy of their airline ticket and ticket stub for reimbursement, she says.

Since April, Mack Travel has been including an insert about the fee in ticket jackets to advise its customers. It's also been noted at the bottom of travel itineraries.

It's expected a $5 user fees will also be introduced at the Calgary airport effective Oct 1.