After reduced traffic and a loss of income over the past 15 months, the Greater Moncton Romeo Leblanc International Airport is receiving a financial boost from the federal government.
Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra announced today over $1.8 million from Transport Canada’s Airport Relief Fund to help the airport recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He says, it will also help support continued essential air services for residents and workers in Moncton and its surrounding communities.
“Our airports are major contributors to Canada’s economy, and play a crucial role in sustaining the social and economic well-being of our communities. This financial support will ensure that, as Canada works towards recovery and travel restart post pandemic, the Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport will be able to provide regional accessibility, and safe, reliable and efficient air services for residents and workers in Moncton and its surrounding communities,” Alghabra says.
This funding is in addition to the just over $5 million that was recently announced from Transport Canada’s Airports Capital Assistance Program. That money is being used for the purchase of an aircraft rescue firefighting vehicle, the rehabilitation of Runway 11-23, and the replacement of taxiway signs.
Airport Chair Nancy Whipp says work on the runway is set to begin on July 5th.
The Transport Minister was scheduled to make a funding announcement at the Saint John Saint John this afternoon.
