News - Stephenville International Airport

The airport citizens' committee feels the time is right to rally for the Stephenville International Airport. They will do so at the airport this Friday evening.

Speaking on behalf of the committee, representative Dave Kane says the group would like to see all citizens of Bay St. George come out to voice their support.

He says his group is asking the provincial government for the money to purchase new fuel tanks for the airport so that it may increase its international traffic.

Citing the recent $3 million dollars in funds awarded by the province to Deer Lake Airport, Mr. Kane says his group is asking for the same.

"Our committee is calling on our two area MHAs to step up to the plate and get $3 million dollars for our airport," he said, reading from a prepared release.

Mr. Kane says the citizens committee realizes the airport must go through with finishing its business plan, which must be submitted to the provincial government by Oct. 4, but says they feel the time is right now to seek the $3 million dollars he says they feel the airport needs to sustain itself.

He highlighted the role he says the airport plays in delivering health care services to the region.

"Patients and health care professionals use air ambulance, scheduled and chartered air services, to move between Stephenville and other provincial and Atlantic Canadian medial facilities," he says.

The committee has invited the area's two MHAs, Joan Burke and Tony Cornect, to attend the rally, and also the province's three political leaders - Premier Danny Williams, Liberal leader Yvonne Jones and NDP leader Lorraine Michaels. Kelvin Parson, MHA for Burgeo-LaPoile, and MP Judy Foote are also on their invite list.

While Airport Corporation Board chair Shawn Tilley sees the support of the citizens committee for the airport as positive, he says there needs to be a broader focus for an airport rally beyond just the seeking out of funds for fuel tanks.

"The province is definitely there to play a role but it has to be much broader a focus than that. Issues with Transport Canada and our safety stuff, the issue associated of are we open to an external investor - those are the sorts of issues I'd like to see put on the plate," he says.

"Until we get a more broader type of approach as to what our needs are, these are good initiatives - and we support their right and desire to see the airport move forward - but it's not enough.

Mr. Tilley says the group's focus is too narrow in terms of what the airport really needs, but that overall it's good to see support.