Ottawa has launched a new funding program for the country’s major airports to invest in COVID-19 testing and screening infrastructure. Twenty-six facilities across the country are eligible to tap the $81.6 million Biosecurity Funding Stream to aid in the recovery and re-start of travel.

The program is designed to help rebuild public confidence in domestic and international travel and ensure that Canada’s aviation industry is well positioned to recover from the impacts of the pandemic, says the government.

The 26 major Canadian airports eligible for funding represent 93% of the volume of air passenger traffic in Canada in 2019.

Launched by Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra under Transport Canada’s Airport Critical Infrastructure Program, the program includes such eligible projects as:

• Infrastructure investments for the establishment of COVID-19 health testing and screening facilities

• Improvements to airport flow and zoning to better manage the movements of people and physical distancing requirements to, from, and at the testing and screening facilities

• Tools to inform travellers and workers of the existence and operating hours of health testing and screening facilities, to direct them to the facility, and to notify them of procedures related to the flow, zoning, testing and screening

• Technological aids to assist with traveller and worker notification, testing and screening, and the processing of related results.

To support the recovery of the air sector, the Airport Critical Infrastructure Program (ACIP) will also distribute $489.6 million in funding over five years to Canada’s major airports to mitigate the risk of delay or cancellation of critical airport investments related to safety, security, operational efficiency, and connectivity to mass transit systems.

“As we move forward with the safe, gradual return of activity in the aviation sector, both in Canada and internationally in a way that continues to support the health, safety, and security of all Canadians, it will be imperative that we continue to ensure a vibrant and competitive Canadian air sector,” said Alghabra. “This funding will allow major airports across Canada to invest in the infrastructure and tools needed to help re-invigorate the aviation industry and allow Canadians to feel safe when they travel.”