St. John's International Airport


			Airport Completes Phase 2 of its Airfield Rehabilitation Project

December 16, 2009

Low Visibility Taxiway Lighting System to be Commissioned at St. John’s International

ST. JOHN’S, NL, December 16, 2009 – St. John’s International Airport Authority (SJIAA) announced today that it has completed the second phase of its Airfield Rehabilitation Project and is about to commission its low-visibility taxiway lighting system.Over the last two years the Airport Authority has invested approximately $14 million to rehabilitate its secondary runway and to install low visibility taxiway lighting on its principal taxiways.The result is an improvement in the capability of the airfield to allow aircraft to taxi under low visibility conditions and an increase in airfield safety.

The first phase of this project was completed in 2007 and included the introduction of a more energy-efficient approach lighting system to the secondary runway (Runway 16/34).Phase two included a rehabilitation of the drainage systems, a resurfacing of its 7000 foot secondary runway (Runway 16/34), installation of a low visibility taxiway lighting system and installation of the infrastructure to support centerline lighting on its secondary runway.The major construction work was completed in 2008.In 2009, the low visibility taxiway lighting system was installed.This system will be tested by the end of this week and will be operational by mid January.

“The investment made on our airfield over the last two years is an investment into the safety and operational integrity of our operations,” said Peter Avery, Director of Infrastructure with the St. John’s International Airport Authority. “The work completed over the last two years has also laid the groundwork for further enhancements to improve the accessibility of our Airport,” added Mr. Avery.

Significant capital investment would be required to further improve the accessibility of the Airport during low visibility conditions.Before proceeding with such an investment, the Airport Authority would need to secure capital funding partnerships with community stakeholders.