Kelowna International Airport will receive $1 million in funding this year from the B.C. Air Access Program for apron rehabilitation, announced MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country Norm Letnick, MLA for Kelowna-Mission Steve Thomson, and Premier Christy Clark, MLA for Westside-Kelowna, on behalf of Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone.

“This $1 million investment in Kelowna’s airport is only a fraction of the $24 million that we have committed to enhancing airport access throughout B.C.,” Letnick said. “The work we’re doing here is in concert with our other initiatives like our five-year, $5 million commitment to the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada's Pacific Division, which will help develop B.C.’s aerospace industry, attract investments, expand our trade network and, ultimately, grow our tourism sector.”

“This project and the many more across our province are setting communities up for economic growth,” Thomson said. “Through our capital investments, the Province is providing employment opportunities and working to create a more connected B.C.”

“As tourism numbers for B.C. and the Okanagan continue to set records, we’re making sure the first impression many visitors will have – the airport – is a good one,” Premier Christy Clark said. “Because we’ve stuck to our plan, and because we have built Canada’s leading economy, we’re able to make record investments in capital projects and programs like the B.C. Air Access Program.”

“This funding is a great opportunity for YLW and the City of Kelowna,” said Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran. “Rehabilitating the main apron allows YLW to accommodate increased air service and larger, heavier aircraft, translating directly to additional jobs and economic prosperity for the region.”

Funding for the airport will be used for the rehabilitation of the main commercial apron. This work will ensure continuous, safe conditions for aircraft operations and will accommodate larger and heavier aircraft resulting from growth.

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 has committed $24 million over the past three years for the B.C. Air Access Program. This year’s program is providing $10 million for airport infrastructure improvement projects throughout the province. 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 $8 million toward improvements at 23 regional airports.

The B.C. Air Access Program is part of B.C. on the Move, the Province’s 10-year transportation plan. Over the next three years the ministry and its partners are investing over $4.6 billion in priority transportation investments as part of this plan.                                

Learn More:

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