Manitoba looks to increase direct international travel with latest pandemic recovery investment

The Manitoba government is expanding funding to the Winnipeg airport to try and improve international travel to the province.

Economic Development, Investment, and Trade Minister Cliff Cullen announced Friday that a $4.8 million investment in the Winnipeg Airport Authority (WAA) would allow the province to secure new direct flights to major business and leisure destinations.

“Our government is working closely and collaboratively with our economic development partners to identify areas of growth and opportunity and provide strategic investments to help Manitoba businesses thrive and take their operations to the next level,” said Cullen. “WAA is a crucial partner to Manitoba’s economy, connecting Manitobans to the world. More convenient and direct flight options will benefit Manitoba businesses’ ability to attract talent and investment and contribute to our economy.

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“WAA exists to serve our community, and central to that is growing our province’s connectivity to meet the needs of everyone who lives and works here,” said Nick Hays, president and CEO, WAA. “This funding will help us compete in attracting new direct routes or airlines at a time when our industry continues to recover from the pandemic. In turn, Manitobans will benefit from better access while our province’s economy will benefit from more trade, tourism and business.”

The investment falls within the province’s Pandemic Long-Term Recovery Fund, which was set up to try and keep Manitoba businesses competitive in the global market.

“No sector has been as negatively impacted by the pandemic as the tourism industry. This investment will be key to rebuilding a critical sector that creates thousands of jobs and returns millions of dollars to the Manitoba economy,” said Chuck Davidson, president and CEO, of Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. “In addition, the opportunity to create direct linkages to key destinations will be beneficial to supporting other emerging and growing sectors in Manitoba.”