Targeted ACOA support for the St. John’s region air ecosystem will help maintain jobs, re-establish regional connections
August 9, 2021 · St. John’s, NL · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Regional air transportation is crucial to local economic growth, the movement of goods and the connectivity of Canadians across the country. The pandemic has had major impacts on regional air transportation ecosystems, impacting communities and local businesses from coast to coast to coast.
The Government of Canada’s Regional Air Transportation Initiative (RATI), launched in March 2021, supports access to air transportation and regional ecosystems. In particular, it enables the continuation of existing air routes and ensures airports remain operational and able to contribute to regional economic growth, while adapting to new post-COVID-19 realities and requirements.
Federal government supports operating capital, establishing routes
With this in mind, the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA, today announced $11.8 million in financial support for the St. John’s International Airport Authority (SJIAA). Ken McDonald, Member of Parliament for Avalon, also spoke at the event.
The SJIAA operates the St. John’s International Airport, providing safe and accessible aviation services and facilities to the travelling public and businesses of Eastern Newfoundland. The airport is the main gateway for Newfoundland and Labrador and is a catalyst for economic development. This non-repayable contribution will enable the SJIAA to maintain operations and essential services and continue collaborating with various carriers to re-establish routes to the region, while at the same time maintaining 85 jobs.
Regional air transportation is key to the economic development of communities and businesses right across Canada. It is essential to connecting Canadians living in rural and remote communities to urban centres, delivering Canadian goods to the global market and welcoming international visitors to all parts of the country, when it is safe to do so.