Prince Rupert Port Authority looks to the sky for increased productivity

The Prince Rupert Airport will undergo an Air Cargo feasibility study once all the funding has been secured. The Prince Rupert Port Authority which is chipping in $5,500 requested the study after shippers expressed interest in air transportation of time sensitive cargo at YPR. Depending on the findings of the study, 737 cargo jets could be flying out of YPR destined for Eastern markets. The City of Prince Rupert has applied for a $6,000 grant from Northern Development Initiative Trust to support the study while the balance will be picked up by the Airport Authority. The total cost of the study is estimated at $21,500 .   YPR's runway can accomodate 737 jets, which are used to ship cargo. Rick Reed, the manager of the airport says since flying is the fastest means of transportation, combining demand with the capacity to provide a particular service will result in more activity and productivity at the airport not to mention economic spinoffs.

"Of course what it would mean is a real boost to the local economy.  There would be employment of course involved, money to the airport in terms of landing fees so yeah it would be good and I suppose it would drive too the need to improve the services between prince rupert and the airport" Stated Reed.

It's unknown when the city will be notified of it's approval of the grant if it even is approved but once the study takes place, earlier correspondence regarding the proposal determined it would only take 60 days to complete. And depending on what the study concludes, 737 air cargo jets could be occupying the skies over Prince Rupert in the near future.

Sahar Nassimdoost - Prince Rupert