Nanaimo Airport Expansion

LONGER RUNWAY WILL INCREASE
BUSINESS AT NANAIMO AIRPORT

NANAIMO – Premier Gordon Campbell was joined by Nanaimo-Parksville MLA Ron Cantelon and chair of the Island Coastal Economic Trust Barry Janyk today to officially launch construction of a major expansion of the Nanaimo Airport.

“Nanaimo is seizing new opportunities to diversify and to grow and we are proud to form partnerships and work co-operatively to accomplish this important project,” said Premier Campbell. “Investing in an expanded airport will help build on Nanaimo’s growing role as a destination city, and create new economic opportunities and benefits for the residents of central Vancouver Island.”

The Province is contributing $6 million to the $16.4-million Nanaimo Airport Expansion Project to extend the runway by 480 metres to allow larger planes to land, and provide for new high-intensity runway lighting and improved navigational instruments to allow planes to land in inclement weather. The Island Coastal Economic Trust has committed $5 million, with the balance of funding provided by the Nanaimo Airport Commission.

“This expansion is an important step forward for the economy of Nanaimo and the entire Central Island,” said Cantelon. “Combined with the new Port of Nanaimo Centre, the upcoming cruise ship terminal and the establishment of Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo is becoming a major hub for trade, tourism and education on the Island.”

“Under the steady hands of Premier Campbell and his cabinet, the Island Coastal Economic Trust was created to provide strategic investments in regional economic priorities,” said Janyk. “The trust’s contribution to the Nanaimo Airport Commission will aid in providing reliable, expanded air services to meet the rapidly growing needs of the Mid-Island region and will provide the infrastructure necessary for the region to develop to its full economic potential.”

“The Province’s contribution will help attract new business to the Nanaimo Airport,” said Jerry Pink, chair, Nanaimo Airport Commission Board of Directors. “The airport expansion will help pave the way to a brighter future with new economic growth in our region.”

Upgrades to landing systems will improve safety by allowing approaching planes to take a more direct route into the airport. The runway expansion will enable the airport to meet the growing needs of the mid-Island by allowing for more direct flights, eliminating the need for passengers to take short haul connections to Vancouver.