Over the last 18 months, the province has developed a five-year strategy to encourage growth in passenger air service.
The goal was to better understand New Brunswick’s air sector along with its strengths, challenges and opportunities with a focus on evidence-based data and analysis.
“The air transportation sector is critical to the New Brunswick economy by supporting jobs and tourism growth, enabling investment and allowing for provincial, national and international trade,” said Transportation and Infrastructure minister Jill Green.
“Enhancing air services, in particular scheduled passenger service, is key. By working collaboratively with our partners in this sector, the province will identify opportunities to improve connectivity and generate economic activity.”
Green noted how the strategy focuses on maintaining existing airports.
“There is no recommended closures of the airports in Bathurst, Fredericton, Moncton and Saint John and no evidence that a central airport should be built in New Brunswick,” Green noted.
The Regional Development Corporation has committed $4 million over four years to support the development of new air routes.
“It’s a pilot project for new route development which also contributes to the overall competitiveness of the province’s air sector.”
A committee is also being formed with government and industry stakeholders to foster further growth.
The committee will be chaired by a representative from the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure and will include representatives from Opportunities New Brunswick, the Regional Development Corporation and from the four airports which have scheduled passenger service – Bathurst (ZBF), Fredericton (YFC), Moncton (YQM) and Saint John (YSJ).
