CRANBROOK – Cranbrook’s
Canadian Rockies
International Airport
will bring more visitors to resorts and tourism opportunities in the Kootenays
and Rockies, Tourism, Culture and the Arts
Minister Bill Bennett announced today at the grand opening of the expanded
airport.
“The
tourism and economic potential for this expanded airport is enormous,” said
Bennett. “The Kootenay region is only half a day away for over 65 million
travellers from the U.S.
alone, and now, opportunities for overseas flights are increased as well.”
The runway
was extended from 6,000 feet to 8,000 feet and can now accommodate passenger
aircraft from any point in North America. The
runway also has improved lighting and navigational aids. The expansion of the air
terminal building includes new international arrivals and departures areas and the
completion of a new Canada Border Services facility.
“The
airport upgrade has improved access to the wide number of recreational
activities available in the Kootenays and Rocky Mountains,”
said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Kevin Falcon. “Even more people
will be coming through this airport to enjoy some of the best golfing in the
province, and some of the best skiing and mountain biking in the world.”
MP Jim Abbott
said the new airport will add new impetus to the region’s efforts to diversify
its economy. “This new international airport will open Cranbrook and the Kootenays to the world,” said the
Member of Parliament for Kootenay Columbia. “It will stimulate tourism
development, making it easier to move people and products in and out of our
region.”
The runway extension was completed in November 2006, while
international arrivals and departures opened in October 2007 and April 2008,
respectively. Delta Airlines begins flying between Cranbrook
and Salt Lake City, Utah, this December.
“For some time now the world has
been aware of Cranbrook and southeast British Columbia,” said Ross Priest, mayor of Cranbrook. “Today we
officially open the Canadian
Rockies International
Airport to welcome the
world to our city.”
“The completion of the terminal
expansion and runway extension at the new Canadian Rockies
International Airport
is a vital milestone to the visitor industry of the entire Kootenay Rockies
region,” said Chris Dadson, president of Kootenay Rockies Tourism. “This one
visionary project opens up dozens of new markets to our communities’
exceptional array of tourism products and experiences. The industry looks
forward to welcoming many new guests from every corner of the world, in the
years to come.”
The Province contributed $4.5 million to the City of Cranbrook through the Transportation Partnerships Program,
as part of the $12.5 million upgrade to the Canadian Rockies
International Airport.
The Province’s contribution was matched by the federal government, with remaining
funds contributed by the city and regional partners.
The Province has invested $26.7 million in 32 airports
across B.C. through this program, and has approved another $12.2 million in
airport investments over the next year and a half.
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