Fall 1997

An Aerospace Leader... Sales of Canadian aerospace products and service are predicted to hit $13.5 billion this year. Canada produces 50 per cent of the world's commercial turbine helicopters, 35 per cent of all business jets, 33 per cent of all small turbine engines, 20 per cent of all regional turboprop aircraft, 66 per cent of all aviation environmental systems, 60 per cent of new large aircraft landing gear systems and 75 per cent of the world's commercial flight simulators.

Transport Canada Studies B.C. Passenger Transportation System... This new study will take a detailed look at B.C.'s passenger transportation services. The analysis will focus on all regions of B.C. and include commercial airlines, passenger rail, intercity buses, ferries and cruise ships. The study will identify the issues, trends and legislative changes that could have an impact on B.C.'s passenger transportation system. For more information contact: Phil Davies, Senior Regional Economist, 666-3599.

How Important is Tourism to British Columbia? Tourism British Columbia predicts the tourism industry will generate over 25,000 new jobs over the next five years. Since 1991 the number of tourism-related jobs has increased by more than 50 per cent in B.C. and over the last six years tourism revenues have grown from $4 billion to over $7 billion.

Abbotsford Growing and Changing... On October 1 WestJet Airlines began flying 20 scheduled passenger flights a week out of Abbotsford airport. That's more than they fly out of Regina, Saskatoon and Victoria. What does it mean for the airport? Airport Manager Mike Colemant said, "It's changed the nature of our business forever. We have gone from an industrial airport to an active commercial passenger facility."

It's Been a Very Good Half-Year... Container traffic was up 24 per cent at the Port of Vancouver during the first six months of 1997. Vancouver's total of 351,623 teu (twenty-foot equivalent units) put it just behind the Port of Montreal, Canada's container king, with 442,273 teu in the first six months. Each container coming into Vancouver is worth $1000 to the local economy in value added goods and services.

Thinking Multimodally... Rocky Mountaineer Railtours now offers 27 intermodal tour packages providing links between rail, air, bus and car transportation. Rocky Mountaineer is predicting a 46% increase in passengers from 43,000 in 1996 to 63,000 in 1997.

Sail to Prince Rupert and Ride the Rails Back... Inside Passage Cruises, who will be operating the 80-passenger cruise ship "Pacific Aurora" between Vancouver and Prince Rupert in 1998, are considering linking up with a rail operator to offer rail cruises.

Port State Control Ship Inspection Program Detains for Safety... In the second quarter of 1997, 242 foreign vessels were inspected by Transport Canada surveyors at Canadian ports and 36 of those ships were detained because they were in poor condition. Inspectors in Vancouver detained 15 of those substandard ships. So far in 1997, 39 ships have been detained in Vancouver - roughly 75 per cent of the total number of ships detained last year in Vancouver. Before being allowed to leave port, the vessels must rectify their deficiencies. Contact: Bill Nash, Regional Director Marine Safety, (604) 666-5470.

Improving Airport Safety... Over the summer Transport Minister David Collenette announced $3.5 million in federal funding for safety improvement projects at Quesnel, Nanaimo and Campbell River airports. At Quesnel the $1,849,100 project involves resurfacing the runway, taxiway and apron, and upgrading airfield lighting. At Nanaimo the $1,641,150 funding is for runway and taxiway resurfacing. At Campbell River the $11,975 funding is for replacing security gates. The projects are part of Transport Canada's Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP) and all three airports are owned and operated locally. Contact: Jenny Low, Community Airports Officer, (604) 666-5417.

Airports Transferring... In August, Kamloops airport was transferred from Transport Canada to local control. That brings the total to 17 B.C. airports transferred since 1995. Letters of intent to transfer have been signed with eight more communities to take over the airports in their area. For more information contact: Cliff Rhodes, Regional Director Airports, (604) 666-2387.

Kamloops Signs On... The Kamloops Airport Society has signed a deal with Vancouver Airport Services to develop and operate the Kamloops airport. The deal makes Kamloops the sixth airport to be operated by the subsidiary of the Vancouver International Airport Authority.

Available at a Bookstore Near You... The premiere edition of Transportation in Canada is now available. The annual report provides an informational and statistical snapshot of transportation in Canada. Under the new Canada Transportation Act (1996), Transport Canada is required to report to parliament annually on the state of transportation in Canada. This report is available through the Transport Canada internet web site at http://www.tc.gc.ca/, or for a hard copy contact Rod Nelson, Transport Canada Communications, at (604) 666-1675.

Transport Trends is published by Transport Canada's Pacific Region to keep our clients and stakeholders up-to-date on transportation activities and trends in British Columbia. Questions or suggestions please phone (604) 666-1675, fax (604) 666-7255.

TP 12780E