The Bella Coola Airport will receive $280,525 in funding from the B.C. Air Access Program for airport infrastructure improvements, announced Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone.
“Safety is the first concern for airport operations, so this funding will help the Bella Coola Airport clear the way for aircraft to land safely and efficiently,” said Stone. “These improvements will not only give pilots a greater level of confidence using the airport, it will have a positive impact on tourism operations for the community.”
The funding will be used to clear a number of trees that infringe on either end of the runway, which when removed, will allow aircraft to take off and land more safely and allow them to carry a heavier load capacity, which is particularly important for medevac services.
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 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 program provided $8 million toward improvements at 23 regional airports.
The B.C. Air Access Program is part of B.C. on the Move, the Province’s 10-year transportation plan. Over the next three years, the ministry and its partners are investing over $4.6 billion in priority transportation investments as part of this plan.