Business soaring at Timmins Airport.

Activity at the Timmins Airport is soaring with flight numbers tripling; construction projects underway and passenger numbers increasing.

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"In the past, we had about 35 to 37 flights a day," says Ivan Perrault operations manager.

"Now, we're peaking at around 100 on some days. So we've doubled our regular movements in just the last couple of years, We increased our movements of aircraft at the airport about threefold, so it's going to be a busy winter for us."

Perrault attributes much of this business to the De Beers Victor Project in the Attawapiskat region as construction projects continue.

Air Creebec has also seen some increases to their fleet, having been awarded the cargo and passenger transportation contract for Victor. Three additional planes have been purchased to keep up with the project's demands.

Ken Bittle, president of Thunder Air Lines, says his company recently completed its three-year light air transportation contract with De Beers, during which time it has expanded its services from three to a seven days a week.

Chartered flight coverage includes Moosonee and Attawapiskat, and the company is soon looking to expand from five planes to six. A passenger service counter is even being constructed for the company within the terminal to replace its current passenger embarkation setup, currently located in the company hangar.

He attributes his company's continued growth not only to the growing level of activity in the Far North but also to the increased strength of the local economy.

"Our Timmins site has gone from a base that, for us, was quiet to one of our busiest locations in the company," says Bittle. "That's great news, and we've seen a constant expansion there over the last three years, as we're up to nearly 50 staff there, which is pretty significant."

An unnamed Toronto-based airline is also giving thought to setting up shop in the Timmins Airport as a result of the increasing level of business, though this is still in the discussion phase.

To accommodate the growing number of people passing through the airport 40 new long-term parking spots are being developed. What's more, the airport is investing $750,000 in road maintenance and improvements around the facility, a job which Perrault says has not been performed since 1973.

Land around the city's airport is scheduled for commercial development and will be completed by spring with Transport Canada approval.

Mark Jensen, director of community development for the City of Timmins, says those who are currently leasing hangars for either personal or commercial use will first be offered the opportunity to purchase the land before it is made available to the general public.

However, Jensen says the city is being careful not to overextend its offerings, and is being mindful to preserve sufficient land for future airport expansions.

"The site has a couple hundred acres, so this divestment shouldn't be a problem," he says.

This overall increase in activity at the airport, from airlines as well as the city, is indicative of the growing health of the local economy, says Perrault who hasn't seen a boom like this since the mid 1980s.

"You couldn't get a hotel in this city for the last year and a half if you didn't book ahead of time," he says. "It's good for the airport, it's good for Timmins, and it's good for the whole community."

By NICK STEWART

Northern Ontario Business