No federal money for Gander to replace aging airport terminal
Terminal limping along thanks to employees who 'could put a taillight in a squid.'
The Gander International Airport Authority (GIAA) is flying high on record revenues for 2015 but expects turbulence as it tries to pay for a new terminal without access to federal funding.
"It was the best financial year in the airport's history, pretty significant improvements in revenue and bottom line," said GIAA President and CEO Reg Wright.
Passenger traffic is up by 25 per cent — the highest year-over-year growth in Atlantic Canada and the most passenger traffic at the airport since 1980. According to the airport authority, it's the 11th straight year that Gander has had a surplus.
But even with all of those highs Wright says the old terminal keeps them grounded.
"To be honest with you it's been a game of maintenance whack-a-mole," said Wright. "The old saying 'when it starts to go – it goes.' We're really contending with that right now."
Aging terminal a 'fiscal burden'
The current terminal is "oversized and past its useful lifespan," Wright told CBC News.
"Having said that the building's been a good servant to this airport. With the proper care and investment we can certainly prolong its life," said Wright.
Wright applauded staff for their ability to keep the building maintained, saying they do great preventative maintenance with talented employees that "could put a taillight in a squid" if needed.
"But they contend with a very difficult job. Every system here is antiquated."
Wright said the airport wants to build a new terminal but a federal government policy stops them from accessing funds available to other airports like Deer Lake or St. John's.
'Federal policy change needed'
The airport in Gander is part of the National Airport System (NAS) which is separate from other regional airports owned by Transport Canada.
Smaller NAS airports like the one in Gander are "specifically prohibited from competing for federal funds," Wright wrote in the GIAA's annual report.
"Essentially right now we're a pitcher without a catcher. We've said time and again the airport can't afford to finance itself at this time. It's going to require a provincial and federal investment," said Wright.
The airport is left in a difficult position to plan for the future, said Wright.
"When you're waiting for something like a policy change you feel like you're left in a little bit of limbo. We need to be able to plan with certainty and there's no certainty whether we'll be able to source the public sector investment we need"