Sponsored by GNWT Department of Transportation
The Yellowknife Airport (YZF) moves more than 550,000 people through 50,000 flights – a number that grows every year. Increased traffic means increased business for airport tenants, tourism and investment opportunities for the city of Yellowknife and money contributed to the economy of our territory.
Airports allow families to stay connected at important times in their lives; they encourage and facilitate tourism activity; and they provide a business portal for both travelers and cargo. YZF acts as a key enabler for a wide range of social and economic activity while supporting 1,000 direct and 2,000 indirect jobs.
Currently, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) subsidizes airport operations by over $4 million a year. There’s limited capability to make capital investments or improvements at the Airport that would support passengers and airport business partners.
Making the Yellowknife Airport financially self-sufficient and reinvesting Airport revenues back into improvements at the Airport is key to capturing opportunities and driving business at the Airport.
The GNWT is proposing a new financial model for the Airport, under which the money collected from new Airport Improvement Fees and increased aeronautical fees will go into a Revolving Fund. This approach will ensure all funds generated at the Yellowknife Airport will stay at the Airport for operations, maintenance and capital improvements.
Ensuring safety and security is the top priority. Improvements in the coming years could include air terminal updates, increased tourist services, check-in and security upgrades, runway improvements, better business services, commercial development opportunities, more direct flights to larger cities, parking improvements, and more.
Visit www.dot.gov.nt.ca to learn more about the proposed changes at the Yellowknife Airport through the YZF draft Business Plan, and learn about the huge economic impact the Airport has on the territory. Have your say and send us your opinions at YZF_Evolution@gov.nt.ca by October 15, 2016.
