In recognition of the important role that regional airports play in the movement of people and goods, as well as in serving industries and driving significant economic benefits across communities, the Canadian Government is ploughing more than $2.8 million into four southern Ontario airports.
Kingston Airport, Cornwall Regional Airport, Huronia Airport and Arnprior Airport will all benefit from the investment. Kingston Airport, which is operated by the City of Kingston, will receive a $1.3 million investment to support increased safety measures and strategic planning to adapt the airport to a post-COVID environment. Meanwhile Cornwall Regional Airport will receive more than $1.1 million to help adapt existing facilities including funding for a new terminal design, electrical upgrades, runway lighting and security camera installations.
Huronia Airport will benefit from a $310,000 contribution towards the continued operation for the airport’s GPS landing process and replacement of runway lighting. Arnprior Airport is receiving a $47,500 investment to sustain critical regional air operations and services by adding a video security system to provide 24/7 surveillance as well as an automated fuelling system.
The non-repayable contributions are being made available through the Regional Air Transportation Initiative (RATI) – a $206 million initiative that was set up to help regional air transportation ecosystems affected by the economic impacts of COVID-19.
Roy Ellis, Chair, Huronia Airport Commission said: “Financial support from this initiative will support the continued operation of our GPS Instrument Approaches and will fund runway lighting which has reached end-of-life.”
Ellis’s comments were echoed by Johnny Constantinesco, Chair, Arnprior Airport Commission, who said: “The RATI funds we are receiving will contribute to maintenance and upgrades, ensuring regional air traffic has 24/7 unrestricted access to fuel and essential airport services. The Arnprior Airport serves one of the fastest growing areas in Eastern Ontario and the RATI investment provides a boost to the critical infrastructure required to support and sustain regional air traffic.”
