Local Airport Reliability: Stats Indicate Trail Is Better

A Castlegar city councillor says he'd like to see figures reported by the Trail Airport.

They point to a gap in reliability between that facility and the West Kootenay Regional Airport at Castlegar.

Figures disclosed to Trail city council state through the first two months of 2012 the facility saw an average 15% higher number of flights land and takeoff than did Castlegar.

But Russ Hearne says policy set out by national carrier Air Canada involves stringent takeoff and landing requirements. He says the airline  enforces 1km more distance than the minimum and they allow for an additional 100 feet of ceiling above the minimum. He says "...safety is the airlines number one concern, they have a solid record and we want to keep working with them."

Trail is served by Pacific Castal Arlines.

Hearne says the city continues to invest in upgrades including the installation of beacons and communication devices that could improve reliability and possibly allow for night-time departures.

The RDKB Eat End Services Committee governs Trail's airport and has recently come up with a comprehensive improvement masterplan that would rely on two-thirds external funding.