Improved Facilities at Sydney Airport
The Sydney Airport officially opened its new and improved facilities today. Upgrades to the runway, new equipment and a new hangar will help the airport to attract customers and play an important role in Cape Breton's economy.
"Our investment in the Sydney Airport will do more than simply help the facility increase its revenues," said Gordon Balser, Minister of Economic Development and Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "Our investment will also help to increase air traffic through Cape Breton which means more opportunities for tourism operators and other businesses that have a significant economic impact on the island's economy. And it's provided employment during the construction phase and will create at least six new direct jobs at the airport."
Among the improvements at the airport are upgrades to the main runway, sub-drainage system and runway lighting, an improved aircraft parking apron and a new precision approach path indicator. Transport Canada provided $3.05 million for these improvements through its Airport Capital Assistance Program. An additional $498,600 provided the airport with three snowploughs, two material slide-in spreaders, and a front-end loader/backhoe.
The Sydney Airport also officially opened its new fixed base operation hangar, designed to provide technical and mechanical services to airlines. The Canada-Nova Scotia COOPERATION Agreement on Economic Diversification invested $888,101 in the hangar and a marketing plan to attract clients such as charter planes and flight schools that can use the hangar's facilities. The agreement is managed federally by Enterprise Cape Breton Corp. and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and provincially by Nova Scotia Economic Development.
"These improvements, made possible with funding from federal and provincial partners, will greatly improve the safety and efficiency of the Sydney Airport," said Bernie Boudreau, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister responsible for Nova Scotia, on behalf of Transport Minister David Collenette and George Baker, Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. "This airport is an essential component of the transportation infrastructure of Cape Breton and an essential tool for the economic development of the island."
The airport assistance program is part of the National Airports Policy, which was announced by the government of Canada in July 1994. Under the program, airports may apply for funding for capital projects related to safety, asset protection and operating cost reduction. To be eligible, an airport must receive regularly scheduled passenger service, meet airport certification requirements and not be owned by the government of Canada.
"The program is an example of the government of Canada directing infrastructure resources to where they are needed and can best enhance safety," said Mr. Collenette. "This program is one way the government, through the National Airports Policy, seeks to ensure a safe, efficient and affordable airports system to serve Canadians well into the future."
Owned and operated by the Sydney Airport Authority, the airport has handled an average of 133,000 passengers annually over the past three years. Air Nova, Royal Airlines and Air Saint-Pierre provide regularly scheduled passenger service at the airport. Provincial Airlines Ltd. and Prince Edward Air also provide regular courier service at the airport.
"The Sydney Airport has a major role to play in ensuring that the Cape Breton economy develops to its full potential," said Vince MacLean, chairman of the Sydney Airport Authority. "Not only do we now have a safer and more efficient facility, we're also able to market our new services to airline operations, attract new customers and generate additional revenues for the airport."
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