January 26, 2022 Kelowna, British Columbia Transport Canada
As Canada works towards recovery, investments in our airport infrastructure continue to be crucial to maintain safety, security, and connectivity for travellers, workers and communities. Government of Canada investments also help ensure Canada's aviation industry is well positioned to recover from the impacts of the pandemic.
Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra and the Minister of International Development and the Minister for Pacific Economic Development Canada, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, announced more than $18 million in funding to help the Kelowna International Airport recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to support continued air services and important transportation infrastructure projects at the airport.
To help ensure safe airport operations for aircraft, passengers and crew, the airport will receive over $15.2 million from Transport Canada's Airport Critical Infrastructure Program to support:
- the expansion of the airport's combined operations building;
- the replacement of sections of the terminal building roof;
- upgrades to airfield lighting infrastructure;
- the construction of runway end safety areas (RESA); and
- the establishment of facilities and modified airport infrastructure to facilitate improved flow and management of air travellers and airport employees related to COVID-19 testing and screening.
In addition to the funding for the critical infrastructure projects, the Government of Canada also provided the Kelowna International Airport with just over $3 million from Transport Canada's Airport Relief Fund to help it maintain continued airport operations and essential air services for residents and workers in Kelowna and surrounding communities.
