Editor:
I have a hard time figuring out how our council members in Sechelt can continue to proceed with their thoughts on expanding the Sechelt airport.
The cost of installing an instrument landing system, a terminal building with Transport Canada approved security screening, a source of fueling for Jet-A fuel and de-icing equipment and associated recovery system to prevent contamination, fire fighting and rescue services plus lengthening the existing runway for $4.5 million is not possible.
Nanaimo (2011 Canada census population 83,810) currently has eight-round trip Dash-8-300 (400 seats total in each direction) flights a day. The cost, one way, is $150 minimum and ranges up to $259 depending on day and time.
Six Dash-8-100 flights (222 seats total in each direction) is not viable nor needed or the airlines would have made it happen themselves.
Spending money hoping it will make the Coast thrive just because it sounds like a good idea is irresponsible.
"Build it and they will come" was just a movie line...not a way to run a community.
Rob Todrick
Former AirBC/Jazz Airlines employee
Sechelt
