Situated west of Calgary, just north of the Trans Canada Highway, The Springbank Airport (YBW) began operations in February of 1969, although the official opening was not until 1971. The airport was constructed on the former MacLaurin farm by Transport Canada to provide the Calgary International Airport with a reliever airport; shifting smaller aircraft and deferring the need for a parallel runway in Calgary.

In October 1997, the operation of the airport was transferred from the Federal Government of Canada to the Calgary Airport Authority under a 60-year lease agreement. Since 1997 the airport has undergone multiple changes, here's a look of what we've been up to:

• October: Calgary Airport Authority assumes operation of YBW.

• July: NAV Canada officially opens the new control tower. The old tower is demolished.

• DND takes over YBW in the weeks leading up to the G8 summit in Kananaskis. CFB YBW becomes a temporary home to over 1200 soldiers and the largest assembly of Griffin Helicopters in Canadian Air Force history.

2004

• Calgary Airport Authority approves capital funding for the extension of Runway 16/34 and widening of Taxiway A.

2005

• Construction of the runway begins. Over 560,000 cubic meters of earth work is required for the extension.

2006

• Runway 16/34 and Taxiway A are completed.

2007

• Alberta Sustainable Resources begins forestry tanker base operations. YBW becomes home to Conair's fleet of Convairs and Ag tractors for use in protecting the Banff/Kananaskis corridor.
• GPS approach is approved.
• Light jet traffic is introduced.
• Runway 07/25 receives an overlay and new paint

• New non precision ILS is certified by NAV Canada
• Taxiway D is extended.

• Taxiway E and G are extended.
• Sanitary systems are upgraded.
• Taxiway D receives a needed overlay.
• Runway Guard Lights are installed on Runway 16/34