The Red Lake municipal airport is receiving federal funding for another substantial upgrade to its infrastructure and equipment, just in time for winter.
“We’ve developed a really good relationship with the federal government,” said Mayor Fred Mota.
Mota said three years ago former Transport Minister Marc Garneau committed $9 million to the municipality for runway upgrades, which Mota said was needed.
“We have a very busy airport here,” Mota said. “With the continued investment in our infrastructure and equipment that’s needed, I believe the federal government sees how busy this airport is. We don’t think about things as simple as snow removal. To have those runways cleared appropriately so that the aircraft can make safe landings is of the utmost importance.”
Transport Canada's Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP) recently announced $900,000 for safety equipment and enhancement to the airport’s infrastructure which includes the purchasing of a loader and grader for use in the removal of ice and snow from airside surfaces, replacing wind direction indicators, installing apron lighting for the aircraft de-icing facility, and rehabilitating the constant current regulators on the taxiways and apron.
"Local airports play a crucial role in connecting communities across Canada, and our government is committed to supporting them,” said federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra. “This investment in the Red Lake Municipal Airport will ensure residents in Red Lake continue to have access to safe and reliable air transportation options. Through investments like these, we are building healthier, stronger communities for the residents of Red Lake and across the country."
“We are very very thankful that we have a positive and have developed a fantastic relationship with our federal counterparts to invest in the Red Lake area,” said Mota.
Although the capital investment from the federal government is essential, the Red Lake municipal council had to make a tough decision at their latest council meeting on Oct 17.
To combat inflation, the council decided to increase the fees for many different areas of the airport to compensate.
The increase in fees will affect general terminal charges like ticket prices, landing fees, parking, retail rental space, and advertisement space within the airport.
“With the rising fuel costs, electricity costs, and as everybody lives in the northwest everything continues to rise all the time,” Mota said.
Mota said the increase wasn’t a significant amount of money, but was necessary to offset the airport’s expenses.
“In order for us to be sustainable, we had to raise our costs,” said Mota.
