News release

Government Invests in J.A. Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport

Economic Development

The Sydney Airport Authority will be able to attract more air routes and passengers to Cape Breton and make important infrastructure upgrades with the help of a $6.3-million investment from the Province.

Brian Comer, MLA for Cape Breton East and Minister responsible for the Office of Addictions and Mental Health, was at J.A. Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport on behalf of Economic Development Minister Susan Corkum-Greek to announce the funding today, May 6.

“Our airports play an important role in growing our provincial and local economies, creating good jobs and serving as essential transportation, business and tourism links,” said Minister Comer. “On Cape Breton Island, the J.A. Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport is a vital regional hub that connects us to the world. This funding will help ensure the airport is positioned for long-term success.”

Some of the funding – $1 million – will be used to establish a new Air Access Fund, which the Sydney Airport Authority can use for incentives to airlines to establish new routes at J.A. Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport. The other $5.3 million is for infrastructure upgrades at the airport.

Quotes:

“This investment is a significant statement of confidence and support, not only for the J.A. Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport, but for Cape Breton Island, our tourism sector, our businesses and our people. We are very thankful to the Government of Nova Scotia for working with us to make this announcement possible. The funding will enable the Sydney Airport Authority to re-engage our capital plan, which has sat idle these last two years due to the pandemic’s impact, and even more exciting, establish the $1-million Air Access Fund, which will allow us to compete for new air services as the industry recovers.”

– Mike MacKinnon, Chief Executive Officer, J.A. Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport

Quick Facts:

  • the funding is part of a $19.3-million investment in Nova Scotia’s two largest airports, with the Halifax International Airport Authority receiving $13 million for its Air Access Fund
  • Susan Corkum-Greek, Minister of Economic Development, was at Halifax Stanfield International Airport today to announce the funding for its airport authority
  • air access funds help the airport authorities attract new routes by offering incentives to reduce airlines’ financial risk of allocating airplanes and other supports to a route
  • the infrastructure upgrades at the Sydney airport include repairs to the primary and secondary runways, upgrades to the main terminal and paving the main road to airport