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Canadians, tourists and businesses benefit from safe and well-maintained regional airports. From visiting friends and family, to traveling to medical appointments, to getting goods to market, many rely on local airports to support vibrant and sustainable communities.
Regional airports also provide essential air services including community resupply, air ambulance, search and rescue and forest fire response.
The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, has announced that the Government of Canada is making important safety investments at regional airports across the country.
“The Government of Canada recognizes that safe and efficient airports are vital to the economic and social well-being of smaller communities,” said Garneau. “In addition to supporting personal travel and tourism, local airports are key connectors for business, health care, social services, and emerging resource development sectors. Our investments are helping to improve access to safe and efficient air transportation options, and delivering on our commitment to building safer, healthier and stronger communities across Canada.”
This year, over $27.6 million will be provided for safety-related improvements at 13 regional airports, through Transport Canada’s Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP). Funded projects include the rehabilitation of runways, taxiways and aprons; improvements to airfield lighting and airside electrical systems; and the purchase of aircraft rescue and fire fighting vehicles.
Since the Program’s launch in 1995, the Government of Canada has invested more than $736 million for 848 projects at 179 airports across the country.
