Airport Expansion On Track
The extension of the Nanaimo Airport runway is moving ahead as scheduled. Contractors broke ground in early April and a recent conversation I had with Mike Hooper, Nanaimo Airport’s President and CEO, confirmed that the expansion is currently under budget and running only 1 week behind the November 2009 completion date. When completed the runway will pave the way for a range of jet aircraft up to and including Boeing 737, which seats more than 130 passengers and has a range exceeding 10,000 kilometers.
The type of regional range jets actually servicing Nanaimo will ultimately be market driven. Higher capacity, longer-range aircraft are sure to be needed as more passengers pass through the airport due to Vancouver Island’s continued population and business growth. Passenger traffic could hit 334,000 annually by 2026.
Nanaimo Airport’s reliability issue is also being addressed. Because the airport must often halt flights when the runway is obscured by fog and other foul weather conditions, new lighting, that will guide aircraft onto the runway during their final approach, and an instrument landing system are being installed.
· In 2006 Nanaimo Airport contributed to 584 jobs and generated gross revenues totaling $41 million for the B.C. economy.
· An economic impact study forecasts with completion of the runway extension and infrastructure upgrades, Nanaimo Airport is expected to contribute to 857 jobs and generate $59.4 million by 2011.
· With higher capacity jet aircraft, an estimated 204,000 passengers will pass through Nanaimo Airport in 2011— up from 137,000 passengers for 2006.
· The Airport is expected to become a major economic driver for the Nanaimo region. A forecast for 2026 estimates it will generate $122 million in total annual revenue and sustain 1,617 jobs.