Calgary airport toy airplanes to land after soaring for 20 years

The huge toy airplanes that have flown circles around the Calgary International Airport waiting area for the last two decades will fly no more.

Jeff de Boer, the artist behind the large toy planes, asks if anyone knows “who might want two giant wind-up tin toys?” in a tweet.

Know anyone who might want two giant wind up tin toys? After 20 years of entertaining the public at Calgary’s international airport I have been asked to decommission them this May. If a museum, mall or someone with a very big living room would want them please contact me. pic.twitter.com/4Q8vCQpAeL

— Jeff de Boer (@JeffdeBoer9) April 18, 2023

“After 20 years of entertaining the public at Calgary’s international airport, I have been asked to decommission them this May,” de Boer’s tweet reads.

“If a museum, mall or someone with a very big living room would want them, please contact me.”

In a statement to CityNews, the Calgary Airport Authority says the wind-up toy sculpture removal is part of its “Thematic Masterplan” to reinforce the airport’s brand.

“The decommissioning is part of ongoing updates in the Domestic Terminal to enhance the guest experience for our domestic travellers — who make up more than 70 per cent of our traffic,” the statement reads.

The airport authority says the update includes improving lighting, replacing carpet and tile, and “creating smoother passenger flows.”

In addition, it says people will continue to see the artist’s work around the airport, including his “larger-than-life” animal sculptures in Concourse D and another display in Concourse E.

De Boer also has a collection in the Canada Border Security Agency customs hall.

“Many YYC guests have become familiar with Jeff’s sculptures and will continue to spot his work throughout the airport,” the airport authority said.

“We hope the windup sculptures find a new home where they will be enjoyed for years.”