A sigh of relief for airport managers and municipalities in northwestern Ontario.
Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP Marcus Powlowski says the federal government is providing a lifeline of more than $4.14-million to help airports in Dryden, Sioux Lookout, Red Lake, Kenora and Fort Frances.
Powlowski says the investment helps offset lost revenue from COVID travel restrictions, and amounts to the airports’ total operating costs for 12 months.
“The pandemic has certainly had severe adverse affect on both the airlines and airports,” Powlowski says. “Over the past year-and-a-half, apparently passenger traffic has resulted in a 70% loss in revenue.”
The money comes from FedNor and is expected to help maintain 32 jobs across the region.
Funding breakdown for regional airports:
-Sioux Lookout Airport: $1,892,640
-Dryden Regional Airport: $885,020
-Red Lake Airport: $702,578
-Kenora Airport Authority: $439,512
-Fort Frances Airport: $225,705
