GORE BAY—The Gore Bay-Manitoulin Airport is one of seven airports in Northeastern Ontario that are sharing more than $5.7 million in funding from the federal government.
The Gore Bay-Manitoulin Airport Commission received funding in the amount of $187,131.
“Regional air transportation ecosystems are critical for the thousands of workers employed by this sector and for the businesses and communities that depend on it,” said the Honourable Patty Hajdu, minister of Indigenous services and minister responsible for FedNor, in making the announcement March 30.
Along with the Gore Bay Manitoulin Airport Commission, other airports to receive funding include the City of Timmins, Earlton-Timiskaming Regional Airport Authority, Kirkland Lake, Wawa, Hearst and Moosonee.
Robby Colwell, manager of the Gore Bay-Manitoulin Airport told The Expositor, “the funds we obtained through the Regional Air Transportation Initiative (RATI) last year offered necessary financial assistance to help us navigate the beast of COVID. These funds enabled us to continue operating as an important community transportation infrastructure, (certified aerodrome) offering critical essential services, without compromising our service deliverables and safety culture.”
“The RATI funds helped cover operating deficits caused by loss of revenue, mostly experienced by decline in the corporate and charter aircraft sector,” said Mr. Colwell. He added, “our thanks for the exceptional cooperation from FedNor personnel in facilitating the application process.”
