REGINA – This year’s full-scale emergency exercise at Regina International Airport was different compared to previous years.

This year the airport prepared for a different threat: drone attacks. The scenario that emergency crews responded to this year was a two-pronged threat dubbed the “Rise of the Drones.” 

It consisted of a collision between a drone and an aircraft disabling one of its engines. It also consisted of a security incident in which a drone sets off an explosion near the terminal itself, in which several people are injured. 

A plume of smoke was set off near the terminal building, and a number of agencies including EMS, the fire department and others responded to tend to the “victims”, all played by actors. Over 20 partner agencies were involved in the exercise. 

This year’s emergency event proved an additional challenge to emergency and airport personnel, as it tested the response to events happening on both the runway and at the terminal building almost simultaneously.

James Bogusz, CEO of Regina Airport Authority, said this event is a critical part of their safety program. It was particularly important to learn how to deal with incidents involving drones. Bogusz said drones have become an emerging concern for airports and airlines around the world, with concerns that drones could collide with airliners. 

“As many people know, drones have become a big part of our society,” Bogusz said. “But drones and aviation do not mix. This is why there are prohibitions against flying a drone near an airport anywhere in our country without special permitting. And today’s exercise simulates an incident that we hope will never happen here at this airport.”

Drone sightings are a very real concern. Bogusz said there have been drone sightings near YQR airport, but “thankfully, not aware of any collisions that have occurred.”

The focus that day, he said, was on coordination. Bogusz said there would be lessons learned and opportunities to increase their communications following the event, but noted that staff as well as emergency partners are very well trained.

While the safety exercise went ahead, the airport was able to continue operations more or less normally with flights continuing to fly in on the main runway. The airport conducted the emergency training using the secondary runway, and there was signage inside the airport itself to alert people to what was going on. 

The emergency exercise is something done at the airport every two years and is required by Transport Canada of internationally designated airports. Bogusz said that last week the Regina airport has once again been formally granted that designation again by Transport Canada.