St. John’s Airport receives new funding for major infrastructure projects

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 COVID-19 pandemic.

The Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, the Minister of Labour, the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, and Member of Parliament for St. John’s East, Joanne Thompson, have announced new funding of more than $22.5 million to help the St. John’s International Airport (YYT) recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and to support continued air services and important transportation infrastructure projects at the airport.

The airport will receive over $18 million from Transport Canada’s Airport Critical Infrastructure Programme to support the rehabilitation of the asphalt on multiple runways, taxiways, and aprons, improvements to lighting, signage, and drainage systems, and the replacement of heavy airside mobile equipment including aircraft rescue firefighting vehicles, runway snow plows and ice sweepers.

These investments will help maintain safe airport operations for aircraft, passengers, crews, and airport workers. In addition to the funding for the critical infrastructure projects, the Government of Canada also provided the St. John’s International Airport with $3.6 million from Transport Canada’s Airport Relief Fund to help it maintain continued airport operations and essential air services for residents and workers in St. John’s and surrounding communities.

Alghabra commented: “As we move forward with the safe and gradual return of activity in the aviation sector, in a way that continues to support the health, safety, and security of all Canadians, it will be imperative that we continue to ensure a vibrant and competitive Canadian air sector. These critical investments will allow the St. John’s International Airport to invest in the infrastructure and tools needed to help re-invigorate the aviation industry and allow Canadians to feel safe and secure when they travel.”

“A vibrant and financially strong airport in St. John’s is important for our economy and our recovery,” added O’Regan. “The St. John’s International Airport has worked hard to provide safe and reliable travel during the pandemic for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, and our government’s investment will help it return to pre-pandemic levels and grow for the future.”

“St. John’s International Airport is indeed a gateway to Canada and the world. The announcement provides critical support to continued airport operations. As we begin to emerge from the COVID-19 travel restrictions, this support will strengthen capacity and enhance our competitive advantage as a business and vacation destination,” said Thompson.

CEO of St. John’s International Airport Authority, Peter Avery mentioned: “This investment allows us to replace key pieces of our aging heavy vehicle fleet and also rehabilitate many of our airfield surfaces. These projects will help ensure safe and efficient airport operations for all of our stakeholders for many years to come. While the pandemic has caused our airport immense financial challenges, the ability to progress this work and replace critical infrastructure means that we can focus on air service recovery and development and continue to provide much needed connectivity for our province.”