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Reaction from travellers using the new international terminal at Calgary’s airport has ranged from “disappointed” and “not impressed” to “I can’t believe how far I had to walk.”

The less-than-encouraging reviews following the terminal’s October opening have included those of the airport’s largest tenant — WestJet.

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For first-time cross-border and international travellers arriving in Calgary, the long trek to Customs and Immigration and baggage claim is their first introduction to the city. And while the design is beautiful, there is much that falls short.

From the uninspired retail and food services, a lack of seating at gates and long distances between connections, it doesn’t measure up to the international terminals of many airports, despite borrowing some of the design concepts.

Given the blank slate the Calgary Airport Authority had to work with, it could have been approached differently.