News - Stephenville International Airport

After speaking to several people recently about Stephenville International Airport, two distinct observations can be made.

The first should come as no surprise to most people of the Bay St. George area - the airport is in a great deal of trouble. We all know that without proper fuel storage capacity and an aging infrastructure, the airport is unable to attract flights and therefore cannot sustain or build revenues.

But the gravity of the airport's plight came to light last week when Stephenville town council announced it would be 'investing' $200,000 into the airport. These funds will help to repair hillside lights needed to direct planes into the area, purchase winter supplies such as sand and runway sweepers, and pay the wages of the airport staff. One can only wonder if chains and padlocks would be hanging from the airport's doors right now if these funds weren't so readily available from the town.

It's hoped this will tide the airport through the winter - barring any unforeseen equipment breakdowns or problems - or at least until the airport can get it's business plan in order and sent into the provincial government.

This is where the second observation can be made. While the dedication and passion most local people have for the airport is clear - and this is certainly true of those working to directly benefit the facility - there seems to be a great deal of trust in the unknown.

The provincial government has never made any firm financial commitment to the airport, other than guaranteeing the airport corporation's line of credit. And while the town and the airport corporation are working diligently to get a proper business plan in place, there are no guarantees the provincial government will come to the aid of the airport.

However, it is hoped with a business plan in place, the government will see Stephenville's airport as potentially viable business venture and worthy of the investment from provincial coffers.

It's easy to look over at the greener pastures of another west coast airport to see what the right investments - from the government or elsewhere - can do for an airport's growth and profit potential. But as previously stated, there are no guarantees being put forward for Stephenville's airport.

One can only hope politicians from this area will fight the good fight and speak clearly into the ears of those holding the province's purse strings. And once that happens, perhaps the actions detailed in the business plan can get moving and then federal funding can be accessed. But again, that's putting a lot of faith into the seemingly far-off unknown.

All that said, though, it's difficult to fault local people for their undying buoyancy and resolve to see the airport once again welcome both domestic and international flights on a daily basis.

The airport is a symbol of Stephenville's economy, perhaps even Stephenville's raison d'être in 2009 and beyond. Sure, we have the College of the North Atlantic (and other post-secondary institutions), the Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital and various other agencies and companies employing local people - but people really do seem to identify Stephenville and its prosperity with the airport.

And rightly so. With the most recent infusion of cash coming from Stephenville council, it's increasingly the taxpayers of the town that have a vested interest in the viability and ultimate success of the airport. It's our dollars that are helping to float the airport through to better times.

That said, we've come this far, and it would be an abysmal shame to see Stephenville International Airport shut its doors in 2009. We know the score. And while we can't be sure of what lies ahead, we need to sharpen our skills and scope out a deft financial plan so that we don't lose one of this town's greatest assets.