Thunder Bay International Airports Authority opened up its extended runway to aviation traffic, Nov. 20.
The main runway has been extended by 340 metres (1,116 feet) to 2,230 metres (7,314 feet). Airport officials invited out community and business leaders for a ribbon-cutting ceremony prior to the departure of an Air Canada flight bound for Toronto.
The airport authority and its airline customers paid for the entire $6 million project.
Work on the extension began in late July and was completed at night to minimize the impact during daily flight operations.
The project also included construction of a taxiway and upgrades in visual aids with energy efficient lighting and runway-taxiway markings.
One of the immediate benefits will be the elimination of aircraft load restriction issues.
In a press release, Airport president-CEO Scott McFadden said the runway extension represents a community investment since air transportation is the “only viable means of travel in and out” of the northwestern Ontario city for business people, public servants and vacationers.
.jpeg;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)
