Smithers airport receives funding

Smithers Regional Airport will receive $750,000 in funding from the B.C. Air Access Program for airport infrastructure improvements.

The funding will be used for safety upgrades and improvements to the terminal building which improve the layout, passenger flow, security-screening and baggage handling. The holding area will be expanded, more than doubling its seating capacity, and accessible washrooms will be added.

Through the B.C. Air Access Program, the ministry cost shares with public airports on projects such as lighting and navigational systems, terminal building expansion or upgrades, and runway improvements. These types of projects will allow airports to improve safety, accommodate larger aircraft and more frequent flights, and further support the continuing growth of local and provincial economies.

The ministry has committed $24 million over the past three years for the B.C. Air Access Program. This year’s program is providing $10 million for airport infrastructure improvement projects throughout the province.