Twenty B.C. community and regional airports will share over $10 million in funding this year through the B.C. Air Access program for airport infrastructure improvements, announced Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone.

“With today’s announcement, our government has committed $24 million over the past three years to support infrastructure improvements at B.C. airports,” said Stone. “Combined with the airports’ funding for these projects, over $54 million is being invested to support jobs and economic growth in communities throughout the province.”

Through the 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 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

A backgrounder follows.