Kamloops, B.C.; May 13, 2021: The owner and operators of Kamloops Airport (YKA) today announced that the airport has secured more than $1.4 million in funding from Transport Canada through the Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP), to support critical infrastructure improvements at YKA. 

The funding will support 50 per cent of the planned rehabilitation of Taxiways Bravo and Charlie, including engineering, general and civil construction works.  A smaller, secondary project to replace aging airfield snow removal equipment will also be partially funded by the ACAP contribution.   

“The Kamloops Airport is an economic enabler for the City of Kamloops and the Thompson Nicola Regional District. Continuous improvement and replacement of our airport infrastructure is vital in supporting not only essential passenger and cargo flights but critical to medevac and wildfire suppression operations at YKA,” said Ken Christian, Mayor of the City of Kamloops and President of the Kamloops Airport Authority Society. “These projects will also help guarantee that our facilities are in excellent condition to support the return of leisure and business travel, when it is safe to do so.”

“This anticipated investment from Transport Canada, first announced as part of last fall’s economic statement, comes at a time when YKA, and most Canadian airports, are preparing for the recovery from the catastrophic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the aviation industry,” said Ed Ratuski, Managing Director, Kamloops Airport. “Advancing these critical infrastructure projects in 2021 is essential in providing a safe operating environment for passengers, airlines and all users of airport services and facilities.” 

The eight-week long taxiway rehabilitation project is expected to begin in late July, with work being performed six days per week.  No disruption to flight activity is expected.

ACAP has been funding improvement projects for regional airports since 1995. To date, the Government has invested more than $785.9 million for 904 projects at 182 smaller and regional airports.

About Kamloops Airport

Serving an important destination for year-round leisure and business travel in Western Canada, Kamloops Airport is an economic engine that generates some $75 million in annual economic activity and supports nearly 900 local jobs. Vantage Airport Group oversees the operation of YKA under a long-term agreement with the Kamloops Airport Authority Society. For more information, visit kamloopsairport.com.