The Sault Ste. Marie Airport has received $960,300 in federal funding for the replacement of an aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle and associated equipment.
Sault MP Terry Sheehan made the announcement on Aug. 1. The funds come from Transport Canada’s Airports Capital Assistance Program.
“The Sault Ste. Marie Airport is a vital link for residents and businesses in this region,” Sheehan said in a release.
“This project will help ensure continued safe airport operation for passengers, flight crews and employees, while contributing to the community’s economic and social wellbeing.”
The Sault Airport has been the site of some major developments over the last few years, including upgrades at the terminal and the construction of a new maintenance hangar.
In 2016, the airport reached close to 210,000 passengers recorded over 12 months — a new record for the facility.
The safety upgrades announced Aug. 1 are the latest improvements at the facility.
“As we continue to expand our passenger levels and evolve our aircraft mix, the Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corp. is grateful to the federal government for the contribution of this critical safety equipment and meeting the needs of the travelling public and providing the utmost safety for our staff and travellers,” said Terry Bos, president and CEO of the Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corporation.
Since the launch of the Airports Capital Assistance Program in 1995, the Government of Canada has provided more than $784 million for 900 projects at 182 airports across the country.
