Good News for Kamloops Airport
MEDIA RELEASE
May 19, 2009 For the month of April 2009, 18,917 people used Kamloops Airport in their travel plans. This is an increase of 11% (1,887 travelers) over April 2008 when 17,030 people used Kamloops Airport. Continuing seat sales on both Air Canada Jazz and WestJet during April, which is traditionally slow month, contributed to more people deciding to fly than in previous years.
For the month of April, aircraft movements are down by 3% over April 2008 at 3,133 movements. IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) traffic, which is generally commercial in nature, was down 4% at 1,197 movements this month as compared to 1,247 movements in April 2008.
VFR (Visual Flight Rules) traffic was down by 12% at 794 movements this month as compared to 901 movements in April 2008. This month’s traffic continues a downward trend in VFR traffic, which began in October 2008. This is generally related to decreased resource sector traffic – such as mining and exploration. Local traffic was up by 7% over the same month last year at 1,143 movements as compared to 1,062 movements in April 2008.
Local traffic is mainly related to flight training sport flying. This can routinely fluctuate by as much as 50% in any given month.
Construction in the Air Terminal Building continues apace. Travelers can now get a taste for the new secure lounge area. The seating is assembled and installed, the washrooms and vending are operating and the construction walls have been removed to expose the large window space. The secure lounge will be completed as soon as the west arrivals area is available to reroute arriving travelers out of the construction tunnels.
In the arrivals area, the structural components are complete and the south face of the building now presents a very dramatic view. Most of the interior wall studwork is nearing completion and the mechanical and electrical components are underway.
In the middle of the construction process, the restaurant is now closed and is being renovated as well. The Bread Garden Urban Café is the new operator. The new look will definitely impress people and the addition of courtyard seating in the building and patio seating just outside the entrance will add greater ambience to the dining experience. Travelers can look forward to a wider range of tasty menu items.
The final component of the complete expansion project is the installation of the Instrument Landing System. The geotechnical and archeological investigations will begin this month in the areas of the two antennae and the connecting communication cable ducts. -30- Kamloops Airport Ltd. (KAL) is a subsidiary of Vancouver Airport Services. Our mission is to serve the Kamloops community and trading area of the BC Interior by providing airport facilities that are safe, clean, efficient, profitable, friendly and that reflect a local sense of place. If you require additional information please contact: Fred Legace, Managing Director Kamloops Airport Ltd. Tel. (250) 376-3613 Fax (250) 376-3935