No H011/05 For publication January 13, 2005 AIRPORTS CAPITAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO BE RENEWED OTTAWA – Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre today announced the renewal of the Airports Capital Assistance Program until March 31, 2010. The program gives funding to eligible airports to finance capital projects related to safety, asset protection and operating cost reductions. Funding available under the program from April 2005 to March 2010 will be $190 million, to be allocated at an average of $38 million per year. "This program highlights the Government of Canada’s commitment to enhancing safety at regional and local airports across the country," said Mr. Lapierre. "These investments will help maintain a safe, efficient and affordable airports system that will serve Canadians well into the future." The existing criteria for airport eligibility, project eligibility and project priority will be retained. However, as a result of recommendations from a recent evaluation of the program and Transport Canada’s experience in managing the program over the last ten years, airports with annual traffic levels over 75,000 passengers will now be required to contribute more towards their projects. The renewal of the Airports Capital Assistance Program will be in place by April 2005 and will not delay the funding of new projects for next year. Since April 1, 1995, the program has provided $298 million for 375 projects at 143 airports. Over 99 per cent of these were airside safety-related projects such as improvements to runways and taxiways and the addition of visual aids and heavy airside mobile equipment. The program is an integral part of the National Airports Policy, which provides Canadians with a comprehensive framework that clearly defines the Government of Canada’s role regarding airports. A backgrounder on the Airports Capital Assistance Program is attached. - 30 - Contacts: Irène Marcheterre Director of Communications Office of the Minister, Ottawa (613) 991-0700 Chris Krepski Communications Transport Canada, Ottawa (613) 993-0055 Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada. This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities. BACKGROUNDER AIRPORTS CAPITAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM The Airports Capital Assistance Program provides funding to eligible airports to finance capital projects related to safety, asset protection and operating cost reduction. To be eligible, an airport must receive regularly scheduled passenger service, meet airport certification requirements and not be owned by the Government of Canada. Funding available under the program is set at $190 million, to be allocated from April 2005 to March 2010 at an average of $38 million per year. Contributions are considered for the following types of projects: First priority projects include safety-related airside projects, such as rehabilitation of runways, taxiways, aprons, lighting and other utilities, visual aids, and sand storage sheds. This category also includes related site preparation and environmental costs, aircraft firefighting vehicles and ancillary equipment and equipment shelters that are necessary to maintain the required level of protection. Second priority projects include safety-related airside mobile equipment, such as runway snow blowers, runway snowplows, runway sweepers, spreaders and decelerometers (winter friction testing devices), and heavy airside mobile equipment shelters. Third priority projects include safety-related air terminal building and groundside projects, such as sprinkler systems, asbestos removal and barrier-free access. Fourth priority projects include asset protection and refurbishing, operating cost reduction related to air terminal building or groundside access. Priority for funding will also be established by Transport Canada on the basis of a detailed technical analysis of a facility’s condition and maintenance history, airport traffic and certification requirements. To be eligible, projects must maintain or improve safety levels, protect airport assets or significantly reduce operating costs. Projects must also meet accepted engineering practices and be justified on the basis of current demand. Airport facility expansion projects will only be considered if the current facilities have a potentially negative impact on safety at the airport. Transport Canada’s first priority is safety. Through the Airports Capital Assistance Program, the Government of Canada is helping to enhance not only airport safety, but also the economic viability of this important aspect of Canada’s transportation infrastructure. The Airports Capital Assistance Program is part of the National Airports Policy, which was introduced April 1, 1995 and calls for the commercialization of designated Canadian airports, through divestiture to community interests. The policy enables communities to take greater advantage of their airports, reduce costs, tailor levels of service to local demand, and attract new and different types of business. January 2005
