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Canadians, tourists and businesses benefit from safe and well-maintained airports. From visiting friends and family, to travelling to medical appointments, or getting goods to market, we rely on our local airports to support and sustain vibrant communities. These airports also provide essential air services including community resupply, air ambulance, search and rescue and forest fire response.
Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Rural Economic Development, on behalf of the Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, announced a Government of Canada investment to purchase an aircraft rescue firefighting vehicle (ARFF) for the Kamloops Airport. The investment of $960,000 includes an ARFF with a high capacity water tank and pumping output that can also use foam concentrate and dry chemical fire retardants. The state-of-the-art ARFF is critical in providing rapid and effective response to aircraft emergencies
Jordan also viewed the recently delivered replacement snowplow truck with blade, valued at $130,000, which is used for airside snow removal.
Well maintained runways, taxiways and aprons free of ice and snow are key to ensuring safe usage by aircraft, passengers, and crews, and help protect costly airport safety assets, such as aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles, during airport operations.
“The Kamloops Airport is an important hub for residents and businesses in this region. This investment will help ensure continued safe and reliable airport operations for both Kamloops residents and those in British Columbia’s interior, many of whom depend on their local airports not only for personal travel and business, but also for access to specialized and emergency medical care in larger centres,” said Jordan.
“Our government recognizes that local airports are major contributors to the economic growth and social well-being of smaller communities. In addition to supporting travel and tourism, local airports are key connectors for business, health care, social services, and emerging resource development sectors. These investments will improve access to safe, efficient and accessible air transportation options, and will help us deliver on our promise to build safer, healthier and stronger communities across Canada,” said Garneau.
