PAL Aerospace is opening a new hangar in Campbell River, British Columbia. Built to support the operations of Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Fisheries Aerial Surveillance and Enforcement (FASE) programme, this new facility consists of 12,000 sq ft of clear hangar space and an additional 6,000 sq ft of finished warehouse and office space.

“We are excited to be a part of the community in Campbell River and we look forward to serving the FASE programme from this location for years to come," says Jake Trainor, CEO of PAL. “We are pleased to contribute to the infrastructure of the Campbell River airport not only through the construction of this hangar but also through the development of an access road and the installation of services and utilities that unlock two additional airside lots now available to the airport authority for future long-term lease.”

Construction of the new hangar facility generated significant local economic benefit to Campbell River, requiring approximately 2,400 days of work and the involvement of 12 different trades to complete the project. PAL is pleased to have completed construction of the facility on time, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The new Campbell River base is a great addition to our enforcement programme,” says Patrick Vincent, acting director general of conservation and protection, Fisheries and Oceans Canada. “It will allow our fishery officers to increase patrols of marine-protected areas across Canada, including the SGaan Kinghlas-Bowie Seamount, as well as the continued monitoring of the endangered Southern Resident killer whale population.

“We look forward to continuing to work with PAL Aerospace, using its technology, equipment and facilities to help us protect Canada's marine resources and enforce the Fisheries Act."

As this new PAL Aerospace facility enters operation, Campbell River will see ongoing economic benefits associated with increased aviation activity at the airport including additional daily aircraft movements, ongoing fuel purchase and permanent highly skilled, well-paying employment. PAL's ongoing support for the FASE programme was renewed through a contract award announced by the Government of Canada in March 2019. The company has been providing this service to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans under contract since 1990.