The Government of B.C. is providing $300,000 in B.C. Air Access Program funding to support infrastructure improvements at Prince Rupert Airport, announced Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone.

“When we rolled out our B.C. on the Move 10-year transportation plan last year, we made it a priority to provide funding support for smaller and regional airports,” said Stone. “The Prince Rupert Airport needs some environmental upgrades to its maintenance building and this funding will help the airport authority make these important improvements.”

The Prince Rupert Airport Authority will be upgrading the airport maintenance building by replacing the existing roof and insulation with an energy efficient system linked to the airport’s water harvesting and treatment system. Located on Digby Island with access via ferry service, the airport cannot link to municipal services so these are upgrades are necessary to comply with environmental regulations. The Prince Rupert Airport Authority will provide the remainder of funding for the $500,000 project.

“On behalf of the Airport Authority and management we are pleased the minister, through the B.C. Air Access Program, recognized our rain water harvesting project and granted us financial assistance to complete this valuable environmental project,” said Judy Fraser, president, Prince Rupert Airport Authority. “Without BCAAP, many small airports in British Columbia would not be able to make essential improvements to our essential community airports.”

The airport currently has scheduled passenger services from Air Canada and Hawkair, connecting with Vancouver International; current annual passenger volumes are in excess of 60,000 passengers.

“This funding from the B.C. Air Access Program will allow us to make crucial environmental upgrades to our airport,” said Mayor of Prince Rupert Lee Brain. “Prince Rupert is the region’s northern gateway and the airport is taking on increased importance due to the growth of industry at our Port as well as potential LNG development. We appreciate this provincial support to enhance our airport facilities and ultimately increase economic development opportunities in the region.”

Through the B.C. Air Access Program, the ministry cost shares with public airports on projects such as lighting and navigational systems, terminal building expansion or upgrades, and runway improvements. These types of projects will allow airports to improve safety, accommodate larger aircraft and more frequent flights, and further support the continuing growth of local and provincial economies.

The ministry is investing $24 million over three years for the B.C. Air Access Program. The program also encourages funding partnerships with the federal government, local and regional governments and agencies, and the private sector. Last year, the program provided just over $6 million towards improvements at ten regional airports across the province.

B.C. on the Move is government’s 10-year plan for the improvement of the province’s transportation network. Over the next three years, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will invest almost $2.7 billion in transportation improvements.

Learn More:

For information on the B.C. Air Access program, go to: http://www.gov.bc.ca/BCAirAccessProgram

B.C. on the Move is available online at: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/transportationplan/