Prince George Airport Authority Increases Fees in 2016

Prince George, BC – The Airport Improvement Fee (AIF) for all departing passengers from the Prince George Airport (YXS) will increase by $5, bringing the AIF to $25.  The new AIF will apply to travel beginning on or after January 1, 2016 for tickets purchased commencing December 1, 2015.

“Despite the fact we have a positive operating cash flow, it is insufficient to provide necessary funding for all our long term infrastructure capital needs” says Prince George Airport Authority President and CEO John Gibson.  “While other airports our size may be eligible for federal funding, because we are on federal land we are ineligible to receive funding from Ottawa for rehabilitation.”

Over the next ten years the PGAA has to spend $55 million dollars on capital projects to keep the airport operating safely.  Gibson says “over the last five years we have been making our case for assistance to the federal government, and while there is recognition we have an issue, so far there has been no relief. Consequently raising the AIF is our only option.”

Capital projects over the next ten years include replacement of roofs and heating systems, repaving of runways, taxiways and aircraft parking aprons, replacement of water and storm water utility infrastructure, road rehabilitation and replacing aging emergency response vehicles and snow removal equipment.

In an effort to generate more revenue, parking fees at the Prince George Airport will also be increasing January 1, 2016. Daily parking rates will go from $11 to $13 with weekly rates increasing from $55 to $65.

The last parking increase to take place at YXS was in 2010, while the AIF was increased in 2012.