Council supports subsidy agreement with Jack Garland Airport

If Jack Garland Airport needs financial support over the next year, the city will provide the money, up to $60,000 a month.

A new one-year subsidy agreement was approved at council this week.

“This money that has been allocated is only on an as needed basis,” says councillor Gary Gardiner. “It’s not that the airport automatically gets $60,000 a month.  It’s only if they go into deficit.”

Along with supporting hundreds of jobs across the region, Gardiner says thousands of flights take off and land at the airport each year.

Those include passenger, charter, industry-related, cargo, medical, military and helicopter flights.

Gardiner also says while Air Canada discontinuing passenger service at the end of January will impact airport operations, work continues to find new opportunities.

“Bryan Avery, the airport manager, has had quite a few calls in the last week just because of the announcement from Air Canada,” he says. “I think it’s going to open up other opportunities.”

The subsidy agreement took effect Oct. 1.

Richard Coffin has been a reporter and news anchor on the radio in North Bay for over 25 years.  From premiers to people in the neighbourhood, he enjoys connecting with newsmakers and writing stories that matter to area listeners on a variety of topics including healthcare, education, politics, sports and more.