The Government of British Columbia is providing $198,750 in B.C. Air Access Program funding to support infrastructure improvements at Bella Bella Airport, announced Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone.
“When we rolled out our B.C. on the Move 10-year transportation plan last year, we made it a priority to provide funding support for smaller and regional airports,” said Stone. “The airport at Bella Bella needs a terminal building and this funding will help the airport authority make this important improvement to its facilities.”
The Bella Bella Airport provides scheduled passenger services by Pacific Coastal Airlines to Campbell River, Comox, Port Hardy and Vancouver (South Terminal). The construction of a terminal building will provide more seating, more space for passenger traffic flow, washrooms for people with disabilities and a more comfortable facility overall with expanded services. The Bella Bella Airport Authority will provide the remainder of the funding for the $480,000 project.
“The Bella Bella Airport an important part of our community and serves as a vital transportation link on the Central Coast for tourism, emergency services and the forestry industry,” said Heiltsuk Nation Chief Councillor Marilyn Slett. “We appreciate this funding support from the provincial government and look forward to getting started on our new terminal building as soon as possible.”
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 is investing $24 million over three years for the B.C. Air Access Program. 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 just over $6 million toward improvements at 10 regional airports throughout the province.