Post by Rick (Admin) on Jul 23, 2013 12:40:20 GMT -5
Airport expansion planned for North Bay
The city is planning a $2-million expansion at Jack Garland Airport to help retain and attract new carriers.
The project will add approximately 342 square metres to the airport terminal, including increased counter space for additional carriers, a larger screening area for separate baggage handling and security checks, an expanded passenger holding area to accommodate an additional 90 people, plus washroom facilities, as well as an expanded operations area and an additional airside gate for passenger loading and unloading.
The project, however, is dependent on the approval of an $800,000 Northern Ontario Heritage Fund application which has been submitted by the city.
Coun. Dave Mendicino, chairman of community services, said the city hopes to hear from the province soon regarding the funding application.
If approved, he said the city will be kicking in $1 million, including $500,000 earmarked for the project last year and another $500,000 approved last week as part of the 2014 budget. The airport board has agreed to contribute $200,000 toward the project. And design work would be completed over the next few months followed by construction soon afterwards.
“We see the airport as a great vehicle for economic development,” said Mendicino, noting the work is expected to help secure additional carriers.
To aid in that effort, he said an updated study is underway, looking at local market conditions, including who is utilizing local flights and how often. Plus, Mendicino said Mayor Al McDonald and chief administrative officer Jerry Knox have been involved in talks with Air Canada, West Jet and Porter Airlines.
The work at the airport comes after a renovation in 2011, which nearly tripled the holding area for passengers to accommodate up to 100 people ahead of vacation flights into and out of the airport by charter carriers Sunwing and Air Transat.
The expansion is expected to result in better and more efficient operations for such existing flights. But Mendicino said the work is essential to stepping up business at the airport by bringing in more flights.
In addition, he said the expansion will improve the airport's ability to accommodate large aircraft diverted from other airports, often due to weather. He said landing fees for such flights are about $1,500 and currently occur about six times per year.