Announcements are expected soon as the Saint John Airport (YSJ) looks to develop 600 acres of unused land.

Officials unveiled the ambitious plans in early 2023, saying the land has been divided into four different areas.

Included is a roughly 17-acre piece of land located in the area of Loch Lomond Road and the Airport Arterial road (Route 111).

“We’re actually very close to an announcement, I hope, with a party who would like to develop that area,” Sandy Ross, president and CEO of the airport, told our newsroom earlier in May.

“I would say, with a little luck, we’ll have an announcement within the next month or two about that.”

When airport officials first announced their plans last year, they said that piece of land could be used for a gas station and convenience store.

Meanwhile, the airport is also looking to develop a logistics park on another 450 acres of land, which could include “air-related service and manufacturing,” along with “freight and logistics operations” and “light industrial.”

In addition, another 105 acres have been set aside for airside development, including the potential for air cargo operations.

The airport is also proposing to add more amenities such as a hotel, food and beverage services and covered parking.

“We’ve got a lot of interest in the land and we potentially might have another party interested in building a hangar here, so we’ll see how that goes,” said Ross.

The president and CEO noted that more services at the airport will be good for not only air travellers but the region as a whole.

“Utilizing our land more effectively will be good for YSJ as the revenue will enable us to grow the terminal and our air service offerings,” he said.

“Plus, the added amenities and services will be beneficial to Saint John residents, as well as YSJ’s travellers and staff.”