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Timmins airport meeting passenger demand

While more room has recently been made for passengers at the Victor M. Power Airport in Timmins , much needed additional parking will be added as well. Vehicle spots are hard to find at times at the airport, due to an increase in passenger flights.
Timmis Airport
A new business centre in the airport was made possible by the Timmins Chamber of Commerce as a centennial project.

While more room has recently been made for passengers at the Victor M. Power Airport in Timmins, much needed additional parking will be added as well.

Vehicle spots are hard to find at times at the airport, due to an increase in passenger flights. 

Porter Airlines began offering service in the city in mid-January with three daily round-trip flights to Toronto's downtown Billy Bishop Airport.

Jazz has also increased its passenger capacity by offering some flights on its Q-400 aircraft which can seat 75 passengers.

“We have been able to make more space for parking but those have been temporary measures,” said Airport Manager Dave Dayment. “We will be adding an additional 100 spaces and hoping to get that done by the end of summer and definitely before the snow comes.”

Timmins 100

This is one of a special series of articles that appeared in our July issue celebrating the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of the City of Timmins.

Timmins City Council recently approved the project which will also include a new parking payment system.

“It's definitely an issue here and the new parking spots will be put to good use,” he said.

At the end of last year, the secure passenger lounge was increased to accommodate the daily 250 additional aircraft seats available inbound and outbound.

The holding room could previously accommodate 50 people comfortably but the extra flights and seats would have created crowded conditions if delays had occurred.

It was expanded airside and washrooms were installed to accommodate those who had passed through security.

New ticket counters were installed and additional office, baggage and handling space were added. Passengers can also utilize the Timmins Chamber of Commerce Business Centre which opened in January. The area includes work stations and electrical outlets to allow passengers to utilize and charge electronics and laptops.

The airport was also able to secure a new snowplow for the runways through the federal government's Airport Capital Assistance Program.

“Runway occupancy is critical here,” Dayment said. “We have no parallel taxiway so it can get tough in heavy snow.”

The airport's regular airline tenants, which include Air Creebec, Thunder Airlines, Wasaya, Bearskin, and Air Bravo, have been active.

“There is a lot of exploration work going on, using both helicopters and fixed wing to do geological studies,” he said. “There are still people looking around.”

Future renovations are planned for the facility. The waiting area will eventually get new seats and the passenger baggage area will move behind the ticket counters.

Baggage checks are currently done adjacent to the waiting area which takes up space. Security improvements, such as more cameras, are also on the books. Dayment said no taxpayer money is used for any of the airport improvements.

“We can do lots with a little bit,” he said. “And it is the little things that can make a big difference.”

www.timmins.ca/residents/airport