135,000-Square-Foot Aviation Training Build Starts in Calgary

Calgary Airports has broken ground on the Alberta Training Centre of Excellence for Aviation and Aerospace, which will occupy just over half of a 135,000-square-foot facility south of the YYC Calgary Airport terminal in Calgary, Alberta. Calgary Airports will invest $40 million in construction and development, while CAE will design, develop and operate the Centre, scheduled to open in 2028.

In its September 22, 2026 report, ReNew Canada describes the groundbreaking as the next phase of the YYC AeroNex development. The aviation training scope includes eight full-flight simulators, capacity for expansion, cabin trainers and digital training tools.

Key Project Facts

• Project type: Aviation and aerospace training centre within a two-tenant facility.
• Location: Due south of the YYC Calgary Airport terminal, Calgary, Alberta.
• Size: 135,000-square-foot facility; the Centre will lease just over half.
• Training equipment: Eight full-flight simulators with expansion capacity, cabin trainers and digital training tools.
• Investment: $40 million from Calgary Airports for construction and development.
• Development lead: Calgary Airports will build the facility.
• Centre design, development and operation: CAE.
• Stage: Groundbreaking reported in September 2026.
• Timeline: Centre scheduled to open in 2028.
• Development context: Second landmark facility within YYC AeroNex.

Eight Full-Flight Simulators and Space for Expansion

The Alberta Training Centre of Excellence for Aviation and Aerospace will accommodate initial and recurrent aircraft training. Its equipment programme covers Boeing 737MAX, Boeing 737NG, Boeing 787 Dreamliner and De Havilland Dash 8-400 (Q400) aircraft.

The confirmed training scope includes:

• Eight full-flight simulators.
• Capacity to expand the simulator provision.
• Cabin trainers.
• Digital training tools.
• Collaborative research and development initiatives alongside training equipment.

WestJet and CAE signed a 15-year training agreement in September 2025 in partnership with Mount Royal University. That agreement establishes the operating context for the Centre’s initial and recurrent training functions.

The training Centre will lease just over half of the building rather than occupy the entire 135,000-square-foot facility. A second tenant is expected to be announced later in 2026.

$40 Million Investment and a 2028 Opening Target

Calgary Airports’ $40 million commitment is directed toward construction and development of the Centre. The Government of Alberta, through the Ministry of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration, has also invested $3.8 million in infrastructure.

A further $6.9 million provincial investment goes to the Opportunities Calgary Investment Fund for the Aerospace Workforce Development Grant and the Aerospace Innovation and Training Grant. Those grant allocations are distinct from Calgary Airports’ construction and development commitment.

The Centre is scheduled to open in 2028 following the September 2026 groundbreaking milestone. Its construction forms part of the YYC AeroNex real estate development initiative, which launched in 2025.

The first landmark facility in that initiative was the Lufthansa Technik aircraft engine repair and test cell facility, which broke ground in June 2025. The training Centre is the second landmark facility in the programme, with a different scope centred on simulators, cabin training and digital equipment.

Construction Considerations for Simulator and Tenant Fit-Out

For contractors and suppliers, the defining scope is the combination of specialized training equipment and a building accommodating two tenants. The eight full-flight simulators, cabin trainers and planned expansion capacity make equipment-to-building coordination a key consideration.

Potential coordination work could involve aligning mechanical, electrical and interior fit-out systems with the training equipment layout. Expansion capacity also makes the relationship between the initial installation and future equipment space relevant to fit-out planning.

The Centre’s share of the building is another important scope distinction. Contractors assessing the project should distinguish the full 135,000-square-foot facility from the training Centre’s leased area when reviewing packages and supply requirements.

Construction Trades Involved

The groundbreaking marks the start of the early construction phase; early site and structural trades should therefore be treated as part of the underway construction scope rather than prospective opportunities.

Potential later-stage trades that could still be available, subject to procurement progress, include:

• Mechanical systems.
• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
• Plumbing.
• Electrical systems.
• Fire protection.
• Roofing.
• Glazing.
• Drywall.
• Insulation.
• Flooring.
• Painting.
• Doors and hardware.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Alberta Training Centre of Excellence being built?

The Centre is being built on a site due south of the YYC Calgary Airport terminal in Calgary, Alberta, as part of the YYC AeroNex development.

How big is the facility?

The building will contain 135,000 square feet. The Alberta Training Centre of Excellence for Aviation and Aerospace will lease just over half of that space and house eight full-flight simulators with capacity for expansion.

When is the Centre scheduled to open?

The Centre is scheduled to open in 2028. Its groundbreaking was reported in September 2026.

For contractors and suppliers tracking Calgary aviation work, the Centre offers a specialized building and fit-out scope tied to simulator equipment, digital training systems and a two-tenant layout. With construction started, later-stage building systems and finishes are the relevant areas to monitor.

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