Southern Ontario is a strategically located and globally recognized region that offers many advantages for local businesses, including state-of-the-art infrastructure, a diverse workforce and a strong regional air transportation network.
 
Regional airports play an important role in the movement of people and goods across the country, serve industries and drive significant economic benefits across communities.
 
Today (Tuesday), at the Kingston Airport, Mark Gerretsen, member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands, announced a non-repayable contribution of over $2.8 million, through the Regional Air Transportation Initiative (RATI), for four southern Ontario airports: Kingston Airport, Cornwall Regional Airport, Huronia Airport and Arnprior Airport. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Helena Jaczek, minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).
 
The City of Kingston, operator of Kingston Airport, is receiving a $1.3-million non-repayable investment to support increased safety measures and strategic planning to adapt the airport to a post-COVID environment. This investment will enable Kingston Airport to bring back more than 18,000 passengers between Kingston and Toronto.
 
Cornwall Regional Airport is receiving over $1.1 million through a non-repayable investment to help adapt existing facilities including funding for a new terminal design, electrical upgrades, runway lighting and security camera installations.
 
Huronia Airport is receiving a $310,000 non-repayable investment towards the continued operation of the airport’s GPS landing process and replacement of runway lighting.
 
Arnprior Airport is receiving a $47,500 non-repayable investment to sustain critical regional air operations and services by adding a video security system to provide 24/7 surveillance as well as an automated fuelling system.
 
“It is important that we support our regional airports, airlines and transportation ecosystems across southern Ontario for the thousands of workers employed in this sector and for the many businesses and communities that depend on them. By investing in these four airports, we are strengthening our regional connectivity networks to build a stronger, more resilient economy.” — Helena Jaczek, minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
 
“Critical to Kingston’s diverse economic success is the Kingston Airport, which fosters economic growth and regional connectivity. Today’s investment will benefit the connectivity of Kingston’s air transportation hub, as well as three other rural airports across southern Ontario that will be able to boost local economies and adapt to a post-pandemic world.” — Mark Gerretsen, member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands
 
“Air travel as a sector was hit hard by the pandemic and our regional airport was no exception. This federal funding provided much-needed support to ensure we could make it through this difficult period and positioned us to be able to hit the ground running now that air travel is beginning to recover.” — Bryan Paterson, mayor of the City of Kingston
 
“I am pleased, on behalf of the Cornwall Regional Airport Commission, to recognize the support of the Government of Canada for the valuable Regional Air Transportation Initiative funding through FedDev Ontario. This contribution will assist with ongoing investment to ensure future growth at the Cornwall Regional Airport.” — Lyle Warden, mayor of the Township of South Glengarry and vice-chair of the Cornwall Regional Airport Commission
 
“Financial support from this initiative will support the continued operation of our GPS Instrument Approaches and will fund runway lighting which has reached end-of-life. We would like to thank FedDev Ontario for this immense support to accomplish these critical projects.” — Roy Ellis, Chair, Huronia Airport Commission
 
“The RATI funds we are receiving will contribute to maintenance and upgrades, ensuring regional air traffic has 24/7 unrestricted access to fuel and essential airport services. The Arnprior Airport serves one of the fastest-growing areas in eastern Ontario and the RATI investment provides a boost to the critical infrastructure required to support and sustain regional air traffic.” — Johnny Constantinesco, chair, Arnprior Airport Commission
 
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