The Saskatoon Airport Authority in partnership with Kelowna International Airport is to benefit from CAD $840,000 of federal funding to promote tourism and trade through developing and sustaining trans-border air routes.
The funding is all part of an initiative by the Canadian government to lay the foundation “for Canadians to become more competitive and succeed in the global economy,” said Stephen Fuhr, MP for Kelowna-Lake Country.
“Today’s investment in the Saskatoon Airport Authority, partnered with the Kelowna International Airport builds in our competitive advantages and will result in better access for international travellers to Kelowna and Saskatoon, boosting econonim growth and creating good, middle-class jobs for Canadians.”
Both airports will develop strategies and marketing campaigns to target airlines and boost air passenger traffic. Tourism plays an integral role in boosting economic development in both regions with 15,000 people employed in the tourism sector in the Kelowna area and another 16,500 in Saskatoon.
“We continue our community about the importance of enhancing our air service connections for economic development, tourism and business,” added Fuhr. “The funding from Western Economic Diversification Canada will support our efforts to sustainably grow connectivity through air service options that are valued by the province of Saskatchewan. We are proud to partner with Kelowna International Airport and would like to thank Western Economic Diversification Canada and the federal Government for supporting Canadian airports in attracting essential air services to our communities.”
Expressing his appreciation for the cash injection, Stephen Maybury, president and CEO, Saskatoon Airport Authority said: “We’re excited to partner with Western Economic Diversification Canada and Saskatoon Airport to enhance connections for leisure and business travel. Providing access to the United States is a key component of a resilient economy and the investment will give YLW the opportunity to enhance its air service for the benefit of the region and Kelowna residents.”
