Ottawa airport authority experiencing $13.5M shortfall in LRT station funding

After struggling with the impacts of the pandemic on the aviation industry, the authority in charge of the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport is experiencing a funding shortfall for a light rail station, set to be built as part of Stage 2 of the city's overall project.

According to Krista Kealey , vice president of communications and public affairs at the Ottawa International Airport Authority, there is a $13.5-million funding gap for the station that the authority committed to building.

In response, the authority will be asking the federal and provincial governments for assistance.

This comes as multiple airport-related capital projects were placed on hold due to the pandemic, such as a new hotel, and revamped concessions.

Currently, construction is underway for the city's Stage 2 light rail line, and Kealey says the station is “the next piece in the puzzle.”

Kealey adds, the airport authority saw a deficit of $50-million last year, and is expecting a shortfall of around $70-million for 2021. The authority saw a surplus of approximately $5-million prior to the pandemic.

She explains, the airport is also considered critical infrastructure, which prevents them from shutting down.

“We have to stay open and operational for things like ORNGE air ambulance; cargo is very very important to us; and other government activities,” Kealey explains in an interview with CityNews' The Rob Snow Show. “We have to keep the lights on.”

Meanwhile, the airport saw 5.1-million passengers in 2019, but just 1.4-million the following year. If the travel industry picks up by the summer, Kealey says the authority is forecasting 1-million passengers for 2021.

The Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport currently flies to four destinations: Toronto, Montreal Calgary and Iqualit.