07/27/2010

James Bezan, Member of Parliament for Selkirk-Interlake, on behalf of Canada’s Transport Minister John Baird, announced funding that will allow the St. Andrews Airport to make important safety and infrastructure upgrades. By providing close to $ 19,160.00, the airport will be able to replace the three existing fibre optic signs.

“Today I’m pleased to announce funding for the St. Andrews Airport that will allow it to make important safety and infrastructure upgrades, and sustain excellent service to passengers and businesses throughout the community,” said James Bezan, M.P. “Smaller airports are vital to many communities across the country, which is why the Government of Canada is taking action to invest in these much-needed safety upgrades.”

“The replacement of three fibre optic signs increases the safety of the airfield as pilots are better able to orient themselves while still on the ground, providing better ground control movement,” said Craig Skonberg, Executive Director of St. Andrews Airport. “St. Andrews Airport and the Municipality of St. Andrews are very grateful for support provided by the Airport Capital Assistance Program as the main means for smaller and regional airports to fund the restoration of airport assets and maintain the general safety of the Airports.”

This year, the Government of Canada will invest more than $42 million in safety-related improvements at airports across Canada. These improvements will be funded in 2010-2011 under the Airport Capital Assistance Program (ACAP).

ACAP finances capital projects related to safety, such as rehabilitating runways and taxiways, and purchasing visual aids and heavy airside mobile equipment like fire trucks and snowplows. Since ACAP was first introduced, the Government of Canada has invested a total of $533 million for 650 projects at 170 airports, including today’s announcement. Over 99 per cent of these projects were airside projects.