Save the Date: YMM Digital Art Exhibit Launch

Save the date for the inaugural launch of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority's new digital art program at the Fort McMurray International Airport on Monday, September 25, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Award-winning photographer Crystal Mercredi will be the first artist to display her photography exhibit, Living North, through the new art program. In celebration of Alberta Culture Days, join the FMAA and the featured artist on the Observation Deck (3rd Floor).

FMAA aims to celebrate and promote arts and culture by displaying artist exhibits on digital screens throughout the terminal and its website. The YMM Digital Art Exhibit program will provide a unique opportunity for artists to showcase their talent to a large and diverse audience of travellers from around the world. 

The free event is open to the public, and local artists are welcome to discuss future opportunities available with the new program. Light refreshments, snacks and free parking will be available. 

Montreal Trivia Time Contest! Wraps Up

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Montreal Trivia Time! Contest on Facebook and Instagram. The summer contest reached nearly 30,000 people on social media with 12 weekly finalists. All the winners are listed on the FlyYMM website.

Congratulations to the grand prize winner, Jonathan Michael Phillips! He picked up two round-trip economy class tickets for travel from YMM to YUL!

On behalf of the Airport Authority, thank you to Air Canada for donating the flight voucher. we look forward to welcoming back the non-stop flight to YUL in June 2024, after it wraps up for the season at the end of October 2023. Stay tuned on YMM's social platforms for the next contest.

Save the Date: Pumpkins & Planes

You're invited to the YMM Pumpkins & Planes Family Fun Event, in support of United Way Fort McMurray and Wood Buffalo.

Join us for an afternoon of Halloween fun with games, activities, contests, prizes, and most importantly, treats! Purchase your Pumpkins & Planes Passport to access all the fun and games. Passports are $5/each + service fee. *Note: Parents/guardians do not need tickets. Be sure to come during the time slot identified on the ticket.* All the funds raised will support the United Way. Parking validation will be provided.

SENSORY-FRIENDLY TIME SLOT AVAILABLE: During our sensory-friendly time slot, children are invited to enjoy activity stations in a calm, quiet and relaxed setting. The third-floor of the terminal is a designated quiet space, as well as the Quiet Room on Arrivals Level 1, located behind the Information Desk. Limited spots available to ensure adequate space and limited noise.

Team YMM Spotlight on Glenda Higdon

Behind the scenes at YMM exists a hidden force of talent which helped the Fort McMurray International Airport win the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award for the Cleanest Airport in North America.

Meet Glenda Hidgon, the dedicated Cleaning Service Manager of Bill’s General Cleaning Services (BGCS) Ltd. Her passion for cleanliness extends beyond the terminal walls and into the YMM Courtyard garden, where she tends to the physical environment and her beloved team.

Glenda’s journey with YMM started in 2011 as a Custodian at the old terminal, six years after she moved to Fort McMurray from Hong Kong. In 2015, she was recruited to manage the cleaning services by contractor, BGCS.

Today, Glenda and her team of 12 have since helped YMM claim two ASQ Awards for the Cleanest Airport in North America, one in 2018 and most recently in 2022.

“We just do our job diligently,” said Glenda when asked about winning the awards. “It’s a good feeling to see the staff happy and have them recognized for their hard work.” 

Glenda also expressed how her team enjoys joining the YMM events and activities throughout the year, whether volunteering at the Halloween event or decorating Christmas trees around the terminal.

Beyond her managerial duties, Glenda has taken it upon herself to transform the YMM Courtyard garden into a blossoming abundance of plants and flowers, including swish chard, onions, basil, spinach, beans and flowers. 

As the YMM continues to expand and welcome passengers, Glenda’s influence and green thumb leaves an indelible mark on the airport community.

5KM Run the Runway at YMM

Over 80 participants hit the YMM pavement at Northern Lights Triathlon Club’s 5KM Run the Runway event on August 12. The run event was the first time hosted at the Fort McMurray International Airport since 2019. The atmosphere was enthusiastic, and the crowd was fantastic!

A huge shout out to Team YMM on their support and the NLTC organizers for bringing together such an outstanding group of runners. The NLTC has more community events coming up in the near future. Click on the link below to learn more. 

Bear & Buffalo Announces Prize Winner

Bear & Buffalo Bar/Restaurant announced James Best as the prize winner of the YMM swag prize package this week. The contest draw was part of the Montreal-inspired August feature menu options made by the Bear & Buffalo bartenders and chefs to celebrate Air Canada Rouge’s non-stop flights from YMM to Montreal.

Each guest who enjoyed a Maple Syrup Old Fashioned Cocktail or a Montreal Smoked Meat Poutine received a ballot to win. Thank you to everyone who took part and to the entire team at the Fort McMurray Golf Club for hosting the contest draw.

Fort McMurray Homeschoolers Visit YMM

The Fort McMurray Airport Authority welcomed children from Fort McMurray Homeschoolers to YMM last month to explore all exciting things in aviation. 

From the CYMM Control Tour to a meet and greet with the YMM Firefighters, the group learned about the daily operations at the airport. 

“The tour turned out really great. The kids enjoyed the take off and landing action at the aviation and the radar monitoring at the Control Tower. It was a very informative tour that parents enjoyed, too!” said Minnie Michaud of Fort McMurray Homeschoolers. 

Thank you to everyone who came to YMM this summer and to Team YMM for making the experience special for our visitors. 

End of the Runway - Airport Humour