Buttonville Airport announced a significant facility and infrastructure expenditure last summer. Just as work was about to begin, they learned from the GTAA that their established agreement for access and funding would be coming to a close in April, 2009. This brings the future of the airport into question for the owners/operators. In the bigger picture it also brings the spotlight once again onto the lack of funding and support for similar airports across Canada.
In response to the Buttonville issue in particular – but also the greater issue of all airports – ATAC, the CBAA, COPA and HAC – along with some strategic operators from the site – came together in December and issued a letter to Minister Baird.
For those interested in expressing their support or concern about this issue, submissions are welcome to our general email account –
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In the alternative you may correspond with any of the aforementioned associations. Correspondence that we receive will be forwarded to the Buttonville Airport team, ATAC, CBAA, COPA and HAC as well as Minister’s Baird and Flaherty.
Airport funding is an important issue – especially in the volatile economic world we face today. Help from federal, provincial and municipal governments will aid taxpaying Canadians in keeping their jobs today while allowing expansion, development and implementation of hard and soft goods and services into the greater aviation community – further driving economic and industry wide benefits.
Let’s not be quiet on this issue – especially as our elected officials are currently deciding how the funding our national best interests will proceed in the coming months.
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Written by Guest on 2009-01-14 13:12:27
Good Day;
A quick shot from the hip note.
I laud your support for the Buttonville Airport. The fact that Wings and the undersigned of the letter to Minister Baird (outlining the importance of Buttonville Airport to that area of Ontario) is VERY commendable.
I must point out that local/regional/ small airports and their owners have (for over a decade) made the point of economic impact for their perspective areas that this class of airports serve. So far this message has made little or no impact on senior levels of government. There is no strategic plan to ensure stable funding for these airport (as opposed to Via Rail or Ontario Northlands Rail). Overall the majority of these airports are in desperate financial straits and some small communities have closed their airport, I can use a number of examples in Northern Ontario.
Carry on the fight and please don't forget about the rest of us.
Regards,
George Friesen
Manager
Dryden Regional Airport
T-1-807-223-4959
F-1-807-937-6042
www.dryden.ca |
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