No. A005/03For release - April 9, 2003
CHURCHILL FALLS, LABRADOR — Lawrence O'Brien, MP (Labrador), on behalf of Transport Minister David Collenette, today announced federal funding of $786,000 for a safety improvement project at Churchill Falls Airport under the Government of Canada's Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP).
"The Churchill Falls Airport provides air transport to the residents of the Town of Churchill Falls and is essential to the operation of the Churchill Falls Power Generating Facility," said Mr. O'Brien. "The airport is considered an essential component of the Western Labrador transportation infrastructure".
The project involves the purchase of heavy airside mobile equipment -- including a front-end loader, a snow blower, and a runway sweeper - that will be used primarily for snow removal and ice control on the runways; as well as the purchase of VHF-AM aviation radios to allow reliable communications for airport employees operating heavy equipment on the airside. These improvements will help to ensure that Churchill Falls Airport remains a safe and efficient facility.
"The safety improvements at Churchill Falls Airport will help ensure that the facility continues to provide safe and reliable air transportation for the local community," added Mr. O'Brien.
The ACAP is part of the National Airports Policy, which was announced in July 1994. Under ACAP, which officially began April 1, 1995, and was renewed in June 2000, airports may apply for funding towards capital projects related to safety, asset protection and operating cost reduction. To be eligible, they must receive regularly scheduled passenger service, meet airport certification requirements and not be owned by the Government of Canada.
Since 1995, under ACAP, the Government of Canada has announced a total of $7,572,566 for safety improvement projects at 3 airports in Newfoundland and Labrador.
"ACAP is an example of the Government of Canada directing infrastructure resources to where they are most needed and can best enhance safety," said Mr. Collenette. "This program is just one way the government - through the National Airports Policy - seeks to ensure a safe, efficient and affordable airports system to serve Canadians well into the future."
Churchill Falls Airport is owned and operated by the Churchill Falls (Labrador) Corporation Limited. Provincial Airlines provides regularly scheduled passenger service at the airport, which handled about 1400 passengers annually over the last three years. Both Provincial Airlines and Air Labrador also provide charter services and medevac flights. Emergency repair parts and specialized maintenance personnel for the Churchill Falls Power Generating Facility frequently arrive in Churchill Falls via the airport.
Funding for this project was provided for in the February 2003 budget and is therefore built into the current fiscal framework.
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Contact:
Maurice LandryRegional Director, CommunicationsTransport Canada, Atlantic RegionTel: (506) 851-7562
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