2-year, $46.9 million infrastructure project will increase cargo capacity at Canada’s largest overnight express cargo airport

HAMILTON, ON (January 23, 2023) – John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport is pleased to announce a Gateway Expansion and Sustainability Project (Project) that will enable the Airport to continue serving as a global gateway in a strategic transportation and trade corridor. The National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF) investment will alleviate current constraints being experienced on domestic and international trade and ensure just-in-time goods are moved from coast to coast without delay.

“Today’s announcement from the federal government is an important step towards strengthening the efficiency and resiliency of the national supply chain by adding capacity and alleviating constraints at the largest domestic overnight express cargo airport in Canada,” said Cathie Puckering, Vice President and Head, Canadian Network with Vantage Airport Group. “These investments at Hamilton International will improve the fluidity, reliability, and safety of critical transportation infrastructure, while enabling economic growth, creating jobs, and ensuring essential goods are accessible to all Canadians.”

The Project will strengthen and expand airfield and de-icing capacity, strengthen and rehabilitate key airport infrastructure, such as aprons and taxiways, improve stormwater management systems, and construct a dedicated roadway for cargo operations over the next two years, starting in 2023.

The Project investment will involve four major elements, including:

  • Airfield and de-icing capacity expansion: to increase common-use gate capacity by 125% and de-icing capacity by 250%, as well as widen taxiways to alleviate critical capacity restrictions and ensure unrestricted airfield access for expanding fleets and aircraft sizes.
  • Airfield strengthening: to strengthen and improve infrastructure supporting the main apron, including taxi lanes and taxiways.
  • De-icing water treatment: to improve stormwater management processes, including treating glycol residual onsite.
  • General Service Equipment road: to reduce delays by constructing a new, dedicated service road parallel to a major taxiway to separate aircraft and equipment’s conflicting use.

The total project cost is $46.9 million, and Transport Canada’s NTCF investment will contribute $23.4 million, with remainder being privately funded and managed by the airport operator, TradePort International Corporation, as part of its capital investment plan. The airfield work will be completed in phases over the next two years to ensure uninterrupted operations to existing 24/7 operations.

“Hamilton International, Canada’s third largest cargo airport by payload, serves as a global gateway in a strategic transportation and trade corridor, and is an economic engine generating significant jobs, industry activity, and GDP. This support from the National Trade Corridors Fund will enable Hamilton International to advance investment to expand and strengthen its airfield and critical assets, create new full-time jobs, generate additional economic activity, and ensure that existing infrastructure under pressure today will be ready to support current and emerging growth well into the future,” said Cole Horncastle, Executive Managing Director, John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport.

Hamilton International is a significant economic contributor for the City of Hamilton and the surrounding region. Its latest Economic Impact Study demonstrated that, in 2021, the Airport generated 4,720 jobs in the region (35% increase since 2017), labour income of $339.7 million, and industry activity of $1.5 billion. Through the investment announced today, this Project will create approximately 460 construction jobs and an additional 1,830 full-time jobs by 2025, representing an additional $142.6 million in labour income. The Airport anticipates that the NTCF investment will support the Airport in generating approximately $2.1 billion in total economic activity annually by 2025.

“On behalf of Hamilton International’s board of directors, employees and business partners, I extend a sincere thank you to the Government of Canada and the Honourable Minister Omar Alghabra for supporting this critical investment to enable continued growth in our region and support for Canada’s national supply chain,” said Horncastle.

###

About John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport

John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport is a growing international gateway for affordable travel and the largest overnight express freight airport in Canada. The Airport is owned by the City of Hamilton and managed under an agreement by TradePort International Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vantage Airport Group – an industry leading investor, developer, and manager of airport assets. This allows Hamilton International to incorporate best-in-class practices from around the world into its operations. As an efficient facilitator of cargo and passenger operations, John C. Munro Hamilton International is an economic engine and responsible community partner. Its strategic location and uncongested 24/7 operations make it an attractive option for both passenger and cargo carriers looking to serve the Southern Ontario market.

Media Contact

Please direct media inquiries to media@flyhamilton.ca.