From left to right: Mayor Peter Milobar, Airport Managing Director Fred Legace, Senator Nancy Greene Raine, MLA Dr. Terry Lake, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone
(GLYNN BROTHEN / iNFOnews.ca)
April 11, 2014 - 1:43 PM
KAMLOOPS – Earlier today, operations staff at the Kamloops Airport released the 2013 Economic Impact Study to acknowledge the financial benefits the airport has on the community.
Last year, the Kamloops Airport brought 610 direct, indirect and induced jobs, generating $27.8 million in annual wages. Some of the full-time jobs directly associated with the ongoing operations include baggage handlers, airline employees, and maintenance crews. These jobs increased over 34 per cent in the past 10 years.
“Every time there’s an investment in expansion there’s a direct correlation to the number of new jobs that are created,” said B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Todd Stone.
In 2013, the airport contributed $38.9 million to the country’s gross domestic product – paying $8.3 million in taxes to the local, provincial, and federal levels.
With the government’s investment, the airport has seen a steady increase of visitors since its expansion. Traffic has increased by 80 per cent since 2004.
Kamloops Airport Managing Director, Fred Legace, says that the increase in visitors has helped facilitate the growth in the tourism industry.
“More people are travelling through the airport than ever before,” said Legace. “We can go out into the world and market (Kamloops).”
In addition to the release of the 2013 Economic Impact Study, this week marks a milestone for the airport. The location has been operating for 75 years.
In recognition of the anniversary, the airport is opening up to the community for a celebration this Sunday, April 13, from noon to 4 p.m.
To contact a reporter for this story, email gbrothen@infotelnews.ca, or call 250-319-7494. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014