Sudbury Airport to get $3.5 million from Ottawa
Help is on the way for another regional airport. Thursday morning, just 24 hours after announcing help for Sault Ste. Marie, FedNor revealed an investment in Sudbury.
"Sudbury Airport will receive a non-repayable contribution of $3.5 million from FedNor," said Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré, to a round of applause inside the terminal.
Regional airports have been struggling for some time. Air Canada even pulled out of Jack Garland Airport in North Bay for a time.
Serré said they announced the funds as quickly as they could get it approved in the House of Commons.
"These announcements that were announced in Budget 2021 that were made in April, were just approved at the end of June by Parliament," he said. "That's why we're making these investments over the summer, because the budget was approved at the end of June."
The money will be used to pay down last year's debt.
While it won't cover everything, Greater Sudbury Airport CEO Todd Tripp said the money is a start to getting back on the right path.
"Most airports are in the same position we are -- they're looking for the dollars for 2021, as well," Tripp said. "Much appreciated and very thankful for these dollars, but the reality is it's not enough to cover both years."
He said the past 18 months have been a struggle. There are currently 27 employees at the facility.
"I lived through the SARS and the issues they had with 911 and everything else, and I can tell you this is the worst that I've seen the industry, really hard hit are the regional airports in this country," Trip said.
The news comes at a time where some are starting to be more confident and are again considering air travel as a viable means of transportation.
Air Canada has increased the number of daily flights in Sudbury, while Porter Airlines has announced expansion plans.
Porter CEO Michael Deluce said they are planning to return to the region starting Oct. 6. He said people are going to notice some changes, including new planes.
"It has been a very long time, but Porter has been able to focus on its business over the last 16 months and we've made a very substantial investment into our existing fleet of aircraft," Deluce told CTV News.
Porter currently only flies in the northeast to Sudbury, Timmins and Sault Ste. Marie, three cities Deluce said are important to the company.
"Those three markets are very important to Porter's network and we're seeing great initial demand for the fall, and so we have every confidence those three markets will recover and we look forward to not only recommending service this fall, but continuing to build frequencies in those markets," said Deluce.
CTV News reached out to WestJet airline, which does not currently operate in northern Ontario, said the company has no plans to expand into the region.
"At this time, we do not have plans to make investments in Sudbury, Sault Ste Marie, Timmins or North Bay as our current priority is to rebuild our existing network. WestJet regularly reviews opportunities that can connect communities more affordably based on market conditions and the demand environment," said Madison Kruger, a WestJet spokesperson said in an email. "While we are encouraged that airports across the country are receiving federal support, we also need to prioritize addressing impediments to the cost of travel that include pandemic increases to 3rd party rates and fees."
Serré said regional air transportation will be key to the economic development of communities like Sudbury, ensuring it's a green economic recovery.
He's currently talking with the airport to see if there are any other ways the federal government can help.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
BREAKING Former Air Canada employees among suspects identified in gold heist at Pearson airport: police
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
MPs summon ArriveCan contractor to the House to be admonished in rare parliamentary display
Enacting an extraordinarily rarely used parliamentary power, MPs have summoned an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon to be admonished publicly for failing to answer their questions.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Gas prices across Ontario expected to climb to levels not seen since 2022, analyst says
Ontario is going to see a big jump at the pumps later this week as gas prices in the province hit levels not seen in nearly two years, according to one industry analyst.
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archaeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.
Some millennials say federal budget was 'a letdown' amid cost of living struggles
It’s a picture-perfect scene: Adam and Maria Reynolds are playing with their daughters inside their Port Coquitlam, B.C. home. Watching them together, you might not realize the Reynolds household is stretched to its limit.