It includes runway and building extension for passengers, for the next 20 years
There's great anticipation at the Niagara District Airport, now that it's released its Master Plan of growth for the next 20-years.
That plan includes extending the main runway and terminal building, parking, and other amenities expected to attract over 7-million passengers over that time frame, from 2025 to 2045.
CEO Dan Pilon adds the runway is now 1,000 feet longer than Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto. "When you take a look at the type of aircraft that they're taking in, everything that they're doing, they're focused on a certain type of plane. It's called the Q-400-8, which is the twin prop, it carries about 75 people... we can support and carry that right now."
He adds considering Niagara's tourism sector, the airport needs to be included, and in doing so contribute to a $1-billion economic growth.
He adds Canada's top tourist destinations have a commercial airport within 25kms of a city centre. "If you're from a city centre, let's say downtown Niagara Falls... to the airport in Hamilton, it's an hour. To Pearson, it's beyond that, it's that's not even discussing traffic in either scenario."
Once the Master Plan is done, the airport hopes to have 600,000 passengers yearly.
He says they're having a public information session next Thursday, the 13th.
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