Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 7/1/2013 (2808 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

By Geoff Kirbyson

The one-year-old terminal building at Richardson International Airport has been recognized as much more than a just people mover.

The $585-million project has been recognized by The Telegraph, a U.K.-based newspaper, as one of the world’s "most stylish" airports.

It’s keeping some pretty heady company, too, including the Worldport terminal at New York’s JFK, the Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea and the Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates.

In praising the Winnipeg terminal, The Telegraph cited that it was designed by world-renowned architect Cesar Pelli, that it was certified for its environmental friendliness and notable for its ultra-modern look and energy efficiency.

In fact, the Winnipeg facility was the only one in Canada named to the list.

"It’s a very nice coup for the community," said Christine Alongi, spokeswoman for the Winnipeg Airports Authority.

"As the front door to the community, it’s wonderful to have that acknowledged. It puts a wonderful light on our region. We’re on the map."

Alongi said travellers look at airports much differently today than they did a decade or two ago; they want more than to be simply put on a plane.

"Airports are almost like malls now. People say, ‘What do they have available? What can I buy? What services does it have?’ They used to be concrete and mortar. Now they’re a customer’s touch-point," she said.

geoff.kirbyson@freepress.mb.ca