The province is spending close to $20 million to help improve regional airports through 40 projects at 29 airports.
Money from the B.C. Air Access program will “help move people and goods, improve safety and benefit front-line services, like air ambulance and wildfire fighting, as well as making for more secure access to remote and Indigenous communities,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
Projects range from runway extensions to terminal upgrades and improving fire protection.
Funds are going to several Vancouver Island facilities, including:
• Nanaimo: $2 million for runway instrument approach lighting
• Victoria Harbour Heliport: $986,850 for fuel system upgrade
• Tofino (Long Beach): $737,100 for fire protection and fire pump system improvements
• Comox: $374,550 to install solar power and provide electrification of ground support equipment and utility vehicles.
• Qualicum Beach: $289,300 for aviation gasoline fuel system replacement
• Courtenay: $131,450 to pave an air ambulance patient transfer area and replace a floatplane dock
cjwilson@timescolonist.com
