Celtic Air to take over operation of Port Hawkesbury Airport

Small Nova Scotia airport getting big changes The small airport in Port Hawkesbury, N.S. is undergoing major changes to accommodate traffic increases.

Celtic Air is bringing new facilities and equipment to the Port Hawkesbury Airport in order to cater to a growing number of golfers wanting to hit the links at Cape Breton’s world-class courses.

David Morgan of Celtic Air Services says traffic has increased about 4,000 per cent over the last 10 years at the small airport.

“It’s a huge number. We went from having a small regional airstrip here that saw a couple of flights every few weeks, to jets like these stopping in on a regular basis,” says Morgan.

Celtic Air Services will take over the operation of the airport this weekend. A temporary hangar will soon go up, eventually making way for a permanent structure. A new terminal building is also in the works.

“We have lots of equipment that's arriving this week that'll be able to service these aircraft and help them park a little bit closer together, and provide them with power and heating and cooling when they're on the ground,” Morgan says.

Morgan attributes much of the traffic to globetrotting golfers wanting to tackle the Cabot Cliffs and Cabot Links golf courses in nearby Inverness.

Celtic Air has invested close to $1 million to make the improvements, which has impressed Port Hawkesbury Deputy Mayor Trevor Boudreau.

“That's an investment by a private enterprise. No public funds needed for this, which is a great thing for the taxpayers,” says Boudreau.

Local pilots say they’re also optimistic of the idea, as it has the potential to generate more business and employment in the area.

Morgan says that when the improvements are in place, the airport should be able to handle as much as five times the aircraft traffic on its apron area.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Dan MacIntosh.