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The COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years has hit regional airports in the region and across Canada hard forcing layoffs and economic hardships.
The Kenora Airport is hopeful for a sense of normalcy now that federal border restrictions and provincial public health measures are loosening
“We’re very excited for what we’re hoping is the end of the pandemic and getting a return to normal,” said Ryan Reynard, Board Chair of the Kenora Airport Authority
The federal government announced on March 17 that effective April 1, fully vaccinated travellers will no longer need to provide a pre-entry COVID-19 test result to enter Canada by air, land, or water.
Reynard is hoping that announcement will give tourism in the region along with the airport the economic boost it’s been lacking these last two years.
“We are anticipating a pretty significant influx of charters coming in from the US now that the border issues are resolved. They’ll be lots of folks coming in to enjoy the many resorts and lodges that we have up here. We’re very excited to get busy again.”
All travellers continue to be required to submit their mandatory information in the ArriveCAN app or website before their arrival in Canada.
Previously, vaccinated travellers had to take a pre-arrival rapid antigen test no more than one day before their scheduled flight or arrival, which had to be administered by a lab or a pharmacy.
The changes are expected to boost international tourism across Canada and hopefully, in northwestern Ontario as well. Statistics Canada says over 169,000 international visitors arrived in February, representing a 1200 per cent increase in travellers compared to this time last year.
The airport is hopeful as well that Bearskin Airlines will increase their weekly flights as currently, the airline is only flying into Kenora once a week.
The pandemic forced the airport to temporarily lay off some employees to counteract the economic downturn due to COVID-19.
“It’s just been an extremely challenging time for our staff they’ve handled it tremendously, they’ve done everything we’ve asked, they’ve worked extremely hard to satisfy the needs of the airport.”
Through this tough time, the federal government has stepped in to assist the Kenora Airport along with many airports across the region with COVID-19 supports.
FedNor launched the Regional Air Transportation Initiative (RATI), in 2021 to support access to air transportation and regional ecosystems through the pandemic.
In mid-August of 2021 Kenora received just $439,512 to assist with the movement of goods and passengers.
On Friday (March 18, 2022), it was announced the airport received $509,886 to replace aging equipment and update systems within the airport.