Calgary's new YYC Calgary International Airport terminal opens October 31 (PHOTOS)

YYC International Terminal / YYC Media

The new international airport terminal in Calgary will be opening it’s doors on October 31 to travellers.

The terminal was re-named as ‘YYC Calgary International Airport’ to incorporate the known ‘YYC’ official IATA code into the name.

Image: YYC Calgary International Airport / Daily Hive Calgary

“We branded the airport publicly as YYC in 2008 and the tremendous positive reaction of the Calgary community led us to initiate discussions with Transport Canada and Minister Garneau’s office regarding the official re-naming of the airport,” said Garth Atkinson, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Calgary Airport Authority in a release.

“The iconic YYC brand has grown to symbolize the city we serve and businesses we support and is now used in the everyday language of Calgarians. We are very pleased that this brand has been formally incorporated into our official airport name.”

The $1.6 billion terminal project will add approximately 2 million square feet to YYC’s overall terminal footprint, the equivalent of 34 football fields.

The terminals big feature is automation. It has automated check-in, self-bag drop, US CBP, Crisbag Baggage Handling System (CBSA) and NEXUS self-serve kiosks.

Image: YYC Calgary International Airport / Daily Hive Calgary

The new Crisbag Baggage Handling System is operated with ‘totes,’ where individual bags are transported on their own tote through the system. The system provides tracking of individual bags throughout the movement of the luggage through the system and it will take bags less than 10 minutes to travel through the entire system.

Image: YYC International Terminal / YYC Media

The terminal also features a new program that will make traveling easier for customers needing to catch international and domestic connections. The indoor Compact Transit System (CTS), a driver-driven passenger and luggage shuttle system, is an electric vehicle that will be available on a scheduled basis and will prevent passengers from going through security a second time.

Image: YYC International Terminal / YYC Media

YYC Calgary International Airport will feature 50 new shops, dining and service options. There are 24 new aircraft gates for International and U.S. destinations and two post security departure halls.

The terminal spans over 5 floors, has 5 Kid Zone play areas and is the first airport in North America to institute a call-to-gate system, which sees passengers enjoying the amenities in a central area of the Departures Halls while waiting to board their aircraft.

Airport officials say the airport is the first in Canada to feature a geothermal system to provide the heating and cooling needs for the building.

Image: YYC International Terminal / YYC Media

Image: YYC Calgary International Airport / Daily Hive Calgary

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Image: YYC Calgary International Airport / Daily Hive Calgary

Image: YYC International Terminal / YYC Media