Peterborough Airport’s transformation is a prime example of how municipal airports can evolve. The city invested $28 million in ground infrastructure, which, combined with stimulus money, expanded the runway to 7000 feet and improved facilities to accommodate larger aircraft. This development attracted significant attention and investment, with Gervais noting, “It’s not often where you see the Prime Minister and the premier of Ontario and local politicians doing ribbon cutting on the same day at the same time.” Gervais emphasizes the broader implications of such projects, advocating for a business-centric approach to municipal airports. “Often, we’ll go into airports and do a study to determine what the GDP is and what this airport is dumping into the local economy,” he says. In Peterborough, the airport’s economic contribution grew from $30 million in 2007 to over $100 million today. This growth is attributed to a diversified approach encompassing aerospace manufacturing, education, and general aviation. ENHANCING EMERGENCY SERVICES Safety and emergency preparedness are nonnegotiable elements in the aviation sector. Gervais, with his background in emergency services, emphasizes the importance of these aspects for airports of all sizes. “Every airport that is certified and requires annual exercises, with a large-scale exercise every fourth year,” he explains. The challenge, however, lies in the fact that many smaller airports lack dedicated emergency management teams. “It can be difficult for airport managers trying to cut grass and plow snow to get a handle on that,” he notes. Recognizing this gap, Loomex Group has developed innovative products and programs to support these airports. One of these initiatives is the aircraft simulator program. Gervais describes it vividly: “We bring an aircraft fuselage into these airports and set up complete crash sites, with suitcases, clothes, live actors, and simulated fire and smoke.” This realistic setup replaces the traditional, less effective methods, such as using a school bus to simulate an airplane. The simulator has been deployed in diverse locations, from remote northern Ontario forests to major airport gates, illustrating its adaptability. In addition to the simulator, Loomex Group offers a comprehensive suite of emergency response services. These include crisis communication training, developing customized emergency response plans, and specific training in critical incident stress management and aircraft recovery.The company has also played a crucial role in real-world emergency 4 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 09
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