Miramichi Airport Issues Positive Report

I am pleased to provide an update on activities at the Miramichi Airport.

1. We had approx. 5000 Landings and takeoffs in 2011, with approx. 2672 passengers.
2. The Air Ambulance was in Miramichi 79 times during 2011.
3. Our Expenses for 2011 were $624,000. 99% of that was spent in Miramichi.
4. Jobs supported by the Miramichi Airport is 55
5. For the past 7 years , we have not run a deficit.
6. We informed the city that we did not need the $25,000 grant this year 2012.
7. We handled 1668 passengers with Air Inuit, every 2nd week since July, 2011. These passengers going to and from Quebec are coming as far away as Saint John, and Fredericton as well as our own Miramichiers.
8. Between 700 – 1000 young Air Cadets are introduced to aviation through the New Brunswick Glider Program.
9. We are host to the NB DOT plow training program, going on for the past 4 years.
10. We are host to Safety Services of NB for their motorcycle training program.
11. Every August, host annual COPA fly–in and Flights for Kids (aircraft show & shine, breakfast, steak dinner and auction and free flights for kids under 17)

Our long term tenants:

• Forest Protection Limited
• Department of Natural Resources.
• COPA—Canadian Owners Pilots Association (with 13 aircraft based in Miramichi)
• CASARA---Canada Aviation Search & Rescue Association (20 members , with 3 certified aircraft based in Miramichi.)

Upcoming Events:

First Air Show in 14 years scheduled for Sept 2013. This show is now on a Maritime province rotation.

2012 is shaping up to be an exciting year at the “New Miramichi Airport” with construction on the runway expected to start this spring. We have had the runway inspected by Engineers and has been given a rating of 12 which means that we will be able to handle any aircraft up to and including 747-400 cargo freighters.

The work to be done on the runway consists of crack filling and painting. No paving is required.

The airport will also be adding a GPS landing system which will eliminate many of the time and fuel consuming maneuvers that airlines experience during landings. Additionally the GPS can enable the addition of vertical guidance which will give us a competitive advantage in attracting new business as a diversion station for commercial Airlines.

We are presently in talks with a cargo charter airline to ship supplies from Miramichi to the mining destinations in Northern Canada, which would entail building cargo pallets and containers for shipping via Air.

Terrance Cooper has been busy lining up NB suppliers and customers in the Middle and far East and working with Cargo Airlines to ship from Miramichi, once the 10000 foot runway is opened, which we expect to be by mid summer.

The estimated cost for new lighting, the GPS system and repairs to the runway is about $1,500,000. Most of which is already secured from the City and NB Government.

I should also note that a new charter service with 2 planes is looking to move to Miramichi due to our central location and favorable weather conditions.

I want to acknowledge our Airport Manager Dale Mattinson and Staff for continually thinking outside the box and developing business with service that is second to none.

Derek Burchill

City of Miramichi Rep

Airport Commission