Federal government gives $3M to Region's airport for 2 new rescue and firefighter trucks
New vehicles will be replacing the airport's current trucks, which were purchased in 2010 and 1986
A nearly $3 million capital fund from the federal government will help the Region of Waterloo International Airport purchase two new aircraft rescue and firefighter trucks.
Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra made the announcement Thursday morning at the airport's operation centre on New Germany Lane.
"These upgrades and safety equipment will help the airport maintain safe operations and essential air services," Alghabra said.
The funding will help cover most of the costs of the new aircraft rescue and firefighter trucks. The new vehicles will be replacing the airport's current trucks, which were purchased in 2010 and 1986.
The addition of the new trucks means the airport will be able to provide full-time fire service to larger aircraft.
"We have to provide full-time fire service now that we've hit over 180,000 passengers, so June 1 is our deadline to provide that so we're gearing up to start to provide that ... with the two existing trucks," Chris Wood director of the airport told CBC News.
Region's airport 6th busiest in the country
Regional Chair Karen Redman said Thursday's funding announcement speaks to the airport's ongoing growth.
"Airport funding from the Government of Canada is a critical resource for growing regional airports like ours," she said.
"In 2021, our airport was ranked the sixth busiest airport in Canada and it has been key to keeping supply chain and passengers moving throughout this pandemic."
Redman added the region's airport connects passengers to 15 non-stop destinations in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico through three commercial airlines that operate 50 flights each week.
Wood said as a result, the airport has been able to bounce back from the pandemic.
"We recovered significantly. We're leading the pack in Canada," he said.
