Medicine Hat Regional Airport Master Plan

Share Medicine Hat Regional Airport Master Plan on Facebook Share Medicine Hat Regional Airport Master Plan on X (formerly Twitter) Share Medicine Hat Regional Airport Master Plan on Linkedin Email Medicine Hat Regional Airport Master Plan link


About the project

Medicine Hat Regional Airport (YXH) is the aviation hub for Southeast Alberta and supports valuable services to the region, including air services, critical air ambulance missions, professional pilot training, and general aviation. The City of Medicine Hat is working on an Airport Master Plan to guide the future of YXH and establish its long-term vision for the next 20 years based on feedback from stakeholders, community members, and businesses.

The Master Plan will lay out a structured approach for how YXH will meet the needs of the region by:

  • Maintaining the facility's infrastructure in a safe and usable condition;
  • Making targeted improvements to infrastructure and services to meet future demand; and
  • Finding new ways to help the economy and the community


Project phases

The Airport Master Plan follows a three-phase approach aligned with industry best practices for airport planning. Once adopted, the Airport Master Plan will guide the City's future decision-making for YXH. Stakeholder and community feedback will contribute to the preparation of the Airport Master Plan alongside detailed technical evaluation and planning, the assessment of federal and provincial regulatory standards, and industry best practices.


Phase 1 - Strategic Plan & Impact Study (COMPLETE)

The Strategic Plan established a long-term vision for Medicine Hat Regional Airport (YXH) and defined its direction over the next 20 years. The Plan:

  • Reviewed the strengths, opportunities, and challenges of YXH and benchmarked the airport against comparable facilities;
  • Developed a Mission and Vision for YXH that articulates its core purpose and long-term aspirations; and
  • Established strategic goals and objectives to guide future airport development and decision-making.

The Social and Economic Impact Study examined the airport's role in supporting Medicine Hat and the surrounding region. This study:

  • Assessed the social and economic impacts generated by YXH and its services;
  • Evaluated how residents and businesses utilize commercial, private, and charter aviation services;
  • Analyzed the importance of emergency and medical aviation services, including operations by CanWest Air, HALO, STARS, and other aviation users; and
  • Examined professional flight training activities, general aviation operations, and community use of the airport.

Phase 2 - Infrastructure Assessment (COMPLETE)

Working with technical experts, the City completed a comprehensive assessment of airport infrastructure. The Assessment:

  • Inventoried the airport's major facilities, buildings, systems, and equipment;
  • Evaluated the condition, performance, and remaining service life of airport infrastructure assets; and
  • Developed a 20-year capital plan identifying repair, rehabilitation, and replacement requirements to support the airport's long-term sustainability.

Phase 3 - Airport Master Plan (CURRENT PHASE)

This final step will use all the information from the prior phases. It will make a plan for:

  • Improving the airport to meet current and forecasted demands of the facilities;
  • Using land for new projects;
  • Addressing the impacts of the airport to the community and environment; and
  • Attracting new businesses and services.


How you can influence this project

Community feedback has played an important role in the Airport Master Plan by helping to:

Identify the value YXH provides to the Community

Inform priorities for the airport's future

Define what success looks like for YXH in the years ahead

Additional engagement opportunities will be made available as the project advances (Phase 3). Details will be shared when available.

What we've heard

There are a number of ways you can get involved in shaping the future of YXH through the Airport Master Plan:

📑 Review the Round 1 What We Heard report: In December 2025, over 30 stakeholders have provided input through the first round of engagement, with key themes identified in the Round 1 What We Heard Report.

📑 Review the Round 2 What We Heard report: Throughout January 2026, over 700 residents completed an online survey and nearly 100 residents attended in-person events throughout the community. Review the Round 2 What We Heard Report.

Stay Updated: To stay up to date on this project, you can sign up for the contact list or check back on this project page for updates.





About the project

Medicine Hat Regional Airport (YXH) is the aviation hub for Southeast Alberta and supports valuable services to the region, including air services, critical air ambulance missions, professional pilot training, and general aviation. The City of Medicine Hat is working on an Airport Master Plan to guide the future of YXH and establish its long-term vision for the next 20 years based on feedback from stakeholders, community members, and businesses.

The Master Plan will lay out a structured approach for how YXH will meet the needs of the region by:

  • Maintaining the facility's infrastructure in a safe and usable condition;
  • Making targeted improvements to infrastructure and services to meet future demand; and
  • Finding new ways to help the economy and the community


Project phases

The Airport Master Plan follows a three-phase approach aligned with industry best practices for airport planning. Once adopted, the Airport Master Plan will guide the City's future decision-making for YXH. Stakeholder and community feedback will contribute to the preparation of the Airport Master Plan alongside detailed technical evaluation and planning, the assessment of federal and provincial regulatory standards, and industry best practices.


Phase 1 - Strategic Plan & Impact Study (COMPLETE)

The Strategic Plan established a long-term vision for Medicine Hat Regional Airport (YXH) and defined its direction over the next 20 years. The Plan:

  • Reviewed the strengths, opportunities, and challenges of YXH and benchmarked the airport against comparable facilities;
  • Developed a Mission and Vision for YXH that articulates its core purpose and long-term aspirations; and
  • Established strategic goals and objectives to guide future airport development and decision-making.

The Social and Economic Impact Study examined the airport's role in supporting Medicine Hat and the surrounding region. This study:

  • Assessed the social and economic impacts generated by YXH and its services;
  • Evaluated how residents and businesses utilize commercial, private, and charter aviation services;
  • Analyzed the importance of emergency and medical aviation services, including operations by CanWest Air, HALO, STARS, and other aviation users; and
  • Examined professional flight training activities, general aviation operations, and community use of the airport.

Phase 2 - Infrastructure Assessment (COMPLETE)

Working with technical experts, the City completed a comprehensive assessment of airport infrastructure. The Assessment:

  • Inventoried the airport's major facilities, buildings, systems, and equipment;
  • Evaluated the condition, performance, and remaining service life of airport infrastructure assets; and
  • Developed a 20-year capital plan identifying repair, rehabilitation, and replacement requirements to support the airport's long-term sustainability.

Phase 3 - Airport Master Plan (CURRENT PHASE)

This final step will use all the information from the prior phases. It will make a plan for:

  • Improving the airport to meet current and forecasted demands of the facilities;
  • Using land for new projects;
  • Addressing the impacts of the airport to the community and environment; and
  • Attracting new businesses and services.


How you can influence this project

Community feedback has played an important role in the Airport Master Plan by helping to:

Identify the value YXH provides to the Community

Inform priorities for the airport's future

Define what success looks like for YXH in the years ahead

Additional engagement opportunities will be made available as the project advances (Phase 3). Details will be shared when available.

What we've heard

There are a number of ways you can get involved in shaping the future of YXH through the Airport Master Plan:

📑 Review the Round 1 What We Heard report: In December 2025, over 30 stakeholders have provided input through the first round of engagement, with key themes identified in the Round 1 What We Heard Report.

📑 Review the Round 2 What We Heard report: Throughout January 2026, over 700 residents completed an online survey and nearly 100 residents attended in-person events throughout the community. Review the Round 2 What We Heard Report.

Stay Updated: To stay up to date on this project, you can sign up for the contact list or check back on this project page for updates.




  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Airport Master Plan - Phase 1 - Community Survey

    The City of Medicine Hat gathered feedback from residents, businesses, and stakeholders on your priorities for the future of YXH. Through this short survey, the City reached out to understand:

      What value YXH provides to you

      Your priorities to help shape the airport's vision and mission

      Your view on what success is for YXH in the future

    Key takeaways from the survey are included in the Round 2 What We Heard Report.

    Share Airport Master Plan - Phase 1 - Community Survey on Facebook Share Airport Master Plan - Phase 1 - Community Survey on X (formerly Twitter) Share Airport Master Plan - Phase 1 - Community Survey on Linkedin Email Airport Master Plan - Phase 1 - Community Survey link

  • Airport Master Plan Contact List

      Stay informed about progress on the Airport Master Plan by joining the project contact list!

    Contact List Sign Up
    Share Airport Master Plan Contact List on Facebook Share Airport Master Plan Contact List on X (formerly Twitter) Share Airport Master Plan Contact List on Linkedin Email Airport Master Plan Contact List link
Page last updated: 03 Sep 2026, 04:14 PM