City council approves Lethbridge airport to remain under city management

On Tuesday, Lethbridge City Council voted 7-1 to approve the management of the Lethbridge Airport as a City of Lethbridge Department. In order to move forward, Lethbridge needs to reach key triggers, which are two consecutive years of $500,000 net operating profit and more than 150,000 annual passengers. Once the thresholds are met, implementation of a management contract would be revisited by council. 

General Manager of Opportunity Lethbridge, Michael Kelly, says in order to make a profit, the land surrounding the airport needs to be diversified. 

When fully developed, the airport lands could provide $10 million annually in lease revenue and an additional $10 million in tax revenue.