Kelowna International Airport will receive $1 million in funding this year for apron rehabilitation from the B.C. Air Access Program.
“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.,” said MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country Norm Letnick, on behalf of Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone at a Wednesday press conference.
“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.”
Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran said the funding is a great opportunity for YLW and the City of Kelowna.
“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,” said Basran.
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 funding will go toward improvements for the airport aprons, where airplanes are parked, loaded and unloaded, to be able to accommodate larger airplanes, said airport director Sam Samaddar.
The project will start in April to be completed by October, 2018 said Samaddar and will cost $4.5 million.
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 B.C. Access Air Program provided $8 million toward improvements at 23 regional airports.