BRITISH COLUMBIA – Regional air transportation is crucial to ensure merchandise circulates, supply chains are maintained, and regional economic growth continues. The pandemic has had major impacts on regional air transportation ecosystems, affecting economies, communities, and local businesses.
“Victoria International Airport is a vital economic generator for the Greater Victoria Region. The pandemic has been financially devastating to the airport industry and aviation sector as a whole. This funding announcement is welcome news which will assist YYJ to reinstate lost air service, attract new air service, build passenger demand, and continue to operate a safe and efficient airport with world class safety and health standards. Air connectivity is a key to economic prosperity and we look forward to help building back the visitor economy,” said Geoff Dickson, President and CEO of the Victoria Airport Authority.
The Government of Canada’s Regional Air Transportation Initiative (RATI), launched in March 2021, fosters access to air transportation and supports regional ecosystems. In particular, it enables regional air carriers and airports to remain operational in these difficult times and to continue to contribute to regional economic growth, while adapting to new post-COVID-19 realities and requirements.
With this in mind, Terry Beech, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (B.C.), on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada, announced $11,721,721 in RATI funding for 11 regional airports in BC.
This funding will enable these airports to overcome challenges that were brought on by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are grateful for this funding. It is essential to help continue our operations and ensure that we continue to be the gateway to Northern British Columbia. The Prince George Airport is a hub for not only passenger services but also medevac, RCMP, aerial search and rescue, and wildfire fighting services for Northern and remote communities,” said Gordon Duke, President and CEO of the Prince George Airport Authority.
Regional air transportation is key to the economic development of communities and businesses across Canada. Since it helps draw Canadians to rural and remote communities to work and raise their families, while also providing reliable connectivity with urban centres, it plays a crucial role in a just, inclusive recovery for all, throughout the country.
Projects being funded:
Legal Name / City / Funding
Prince Rupert Airport Authority / Prince Rupert / $503,427
Comox Valley Airport Commission / Comox / $1,094,406
Victoria Airport Authority / Sidney / $2,998,672
Central Coast Regional District / Bella Coola / $328,322
Prince George Airport Authority Inc. / Prince George / $1,297,965
Kamloops Airport Authority Society / Kamloops / $1,256,378
North Peace Airport Society / Fort St. John / $1,212,750
The Corporation of the Town of Golden / Golden / $120,000
Terrace-Kitimat Airport Society / Terrace / $1,183,053
Nanaimo Airport Commission / Cassidy / $1,380,916
Nanaimo Port Authority / Nanaimo / $345,832
Total: $11,721,721
“We are grateful for this funding. It is essential to help continue our operations and ensure that we continue to be the gateway to Northern British Columbia. The Prince George Airport is a hub for not only passenger services but also medevac, RCMP, aerial search and rescue, and wildfire fighting services for Northern and remote communities,” said Gordon Duke, President and CEO of the Prince George Airport Authority.
