The Windsor International Airport is getting $1.02-million in federal cash to return it to its pre-pandemic passenger volumes in a post-pandemic reality.
Windsor-Tecumseh MP Irek Kusmierczyk announced the funding Tuesday morning on behalf of the Minister for Economic Development, Melanie Joly.
The money will help make the airport make renovations to improve passenger safety. That includes upgrades to the HVAC system, new ramp equipment, and signs and barriers.
It will also help reinstate regional air routes, support jobs, and critical operations.
"Windsor is an international city with a prime location, great economic prospects and a highly skilled, diverse population," said Kusmierczyk. "Through this investment in the Windsor International Airport, the Government of Canada will help bolster the region's air transportation ecosystem and strengthen connectivity, supporting a strong and prosperous future."
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens welcomed the investment.
"As we recover from the pandemic, regional connectivity will be of paramount importance," he said.
A release from FedDev Ontario said, "the pandemic has had major impacts on regional air transportation ecosystems, affecting communities and local business from coast to coast."
The airport in Windsor serves 420,000 people, the 16th largest census metropolitan area in the country. It is within a 45-minute drive of 7.7-million people on both sides of the border.