NANAIMO The Nanaimo Airport Commission has put together a $28.8 million capital plan to make improvements to the airport over the next five years, with the hope of attracting a sun destination once things get back to normal. “In the future, when things turn around, we will be ready,” said Dave Devana, president of the Nanaimo Airport. The majority of the improvements will be to the airport’s infrastructure and will include improvements to lighting when aircraft are landing, runway rehabilitation and expanding the apron for loading and off-loading passengers. With these improvements and when non-essential travel is recommended, the airport hopes to attract a sun destination.
Nanaimo Airport plans $29M investment December 22, 2020
Dave Devana, President and CEO, Nanaimo Airport. (Photo: Nanaimo Airport, Facebook)
The Nanaimo Airport Commission on December 21 introduced a $28.8 million infrastructure capital plan it is undertaking to help fuel the Central Island’s economic recovery.
The commission states this investment over the next five years will enhance Nanaimo Airport’s (YCD) infrastructure to provide additional route development options, including Toronto, Edmonton, Kelowna and seasonal sun destinations. YCD currently provides direct service to Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver’s international airports.
“Our investments will create jobs and opportunities with multiple economic spin-offs that touch all corners of the region we serve,” said Dave Devana, President and CEO, Nanaimo Airport. “Our new infrastructure capital plan will help Nanaimo Airport and our region recover from the impact of the pandemic while ensuring
Travel Hub Feeling the Effects of Pandemic
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To say the COVID-19 pandemic has been bad for business is a gross understatement.
The travel industry has been devastated by the pandemic and the Nanaimo Airport has incurred major losses.
CAO Dave Devana said passenger numbers have fallen through the floor.
“By the end of November (last year), we had 449,684 passengers, this year we’ve had 165,152 so, you know, almost 300,000 fewer passengers than we had last year,” said Devana.
Monthly passenger numbers ranged from around 11,000 to 16,000 between August and November. August was the best month in that category.
Devana said the pandemic has seen a huge discrepancy between the revenue forecast for 2020 and reality.