The owners of the mothballed Stephenville Airport aren’t certain of timelines, but they hope to have the facility recertified next year.
The airport was reduced to an aerodrome under the previous owner, but BTG Capital of Calgary has applied to the federal government for recertification.
It has been about six years since Stephenville last saw a commercial flight.
Andy Gibbons, a member of the ownership group, says restoring commercial flights is one aspect of their approach. They also see the airport playing a role within the National Defense and Industrial Strategy through aircraft maintenance, refueling and storage.
Empty chairs at the Stephenville Airport before it closed (VOCM News).
He says redeveloping and rejuvenating the airport will have to start with talks with the provincial government, but they will also approach Ottawa.
“We have expertise in all of these key industries, and I can’t help but think that we will have creditability with stakeholders and the community,” says Gibbons.
“We understand what has happened in the past and that’s why we are taking the steps we are taking to earn and build that trust.”
