Campbell River requests airport, float plane base, marine port reestablished as points of entry

Campbell River council has voted to write to the federal public safety minister to request the city’s airport, float plane base and marine port be reestablished as points of entry for international travel.

At the start of the pandemic, the federal government restricted the number of Canada Border Services Agency points where international passengers could enter Canada, and during that time Campbell River was taken off the list.

Now, council would like to see that reestablished before the busy summer period.

“This is a big issue,” said Coun. Sean Smyth in an April 25 council meeting. “We’re missing out on a big finance opportunity with these private jets coming through and we want to make it as convenient as possible for them.”

According to city staff, the airport normally has around 350 private jets land per year, which brings about $15,000 in landing fees and $12,000 in service charges.

Additionally, if an airplane parks overnight, they are charged $60 per night in parking as well as any refuelling for the jets.

The change would only apply to private planes as there are not currently direct international flights in or out of the airport.

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