Closed
Last Update: April 9, 2026
Funding available
$ 30,000,000
Timeline
- Open Date : January 1, 2023
- Closing date : December 31, 2023
Location
Canada
Overview
This program supports safety-related capital projects at eligible local and regional airports, including airside rehabilitation, firefighting equipment, mobile equipment, and air terminal safety improvements. Applications cannot exceed $30M, and funding can cover up to 100% of approved project costs depending on passenger volumes.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase operational productivity
- Obtain certifications or accreditations
- Ensure financial sustainability
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 30,000,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : January 1, 2023
- Closing date : December 31, 2023
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Transportation and warehousing
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
Target groups
- Rural / Remote communities
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Local
- Municipal
- Regional
Next steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Rehabilitation of airside facilities to improve airport safety.
- Purchase of aircraft rescue and firefighting trucks, related equipment, and shelters.
- Purchase of heavy mobile equipment and related shelters for airport operations.
- Safety improvements to air terminals, including sprinkler upgrades, asbestos removal, and barrier-free access.
- Projects that bring a registered aerodrome up to certification.
Documents Needed
- Completed application form for the relevant project type
- Supporting documents required by the selected form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Owners of eligible airports
- Operators of eligible airports
- Owners or operators of registered aerodromes close to certification
- Local and regional airports
Who is not eligible
- Airports owned or operated by the Government of Canada
- Airports serving more than 525,000 passengers per year
- Airports with commercial passenger service that is not year-round and regularly scheduled
Eligible expenses
- Airside rehabilitation costs for runways, taxiways, aprons, lighting, visual aids, and sand storage sheds.
- Purchase costs for aircraft rescue and firefighting trucks, related equipment, and equipment shelters.
- Purchase costs for heavy mobile equipment such as snow blowers, snow plows, sweepers, spreaders, winter friction testing devices, and mobile equipment shelters.
- Air terminal safety rehabilitation costs such as sprinkler system improvements, asbestos removal, and barrier-free access work.
- Eligible taxes and shipping for mobile equipment.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Buying land
- Feasibility, planning or zoning studies
- Capital infrastructure projects that are not safety-related
- Facility expansion projects, unless current facilities can be shown to create a safety risk
- Projects that have already started or been completed, and optional equipment or accessories above the maximum allowed amount for mobile equipment
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Processing and Agreement
- Transport Canada updates applicants on application status by email.
- The application may be reviewed for technical completeness, and additional information may be requested.
- Transport Canada may request the airport’s financial reports for the last 3 calendar years.
- If approved, the applicant receives a contribution agreement setting out the scope, maximum funding, and conditions.
- Some projects may undergo environmental and Indigenous or treaty rights reviews, and further information may be requested if needed.
Additional information
- The program has been in place since 1995.
- Since launch, the Government of Canada has invested over $1.25 billion in 1,239 projects at 201 airports.
- The program supports local, regional and smaller National Airports System airports across Canada.
- It is intended to help airports maintain safety, protect assets and reduce operating costs.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Airports Capital Assistance Program Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Airports Capital Assistance Program. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Airports Capital Assistance Program?
This program supports safety-related capital projects at eligible local and regional airports, including airside rehabilitation, firefighting equipment, mobile equipment, and air terminal safety improvements. Applications cannot exceed $30M, and funding can cover up to 100% of approved project costs depending on passenger volumes.
How much funding can be received?
Airports Capital Assistance Program Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses, capped at $30,000,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was December 31, 2023.
Who is eligible for the Airports Capital Assistance Program program?
To be eligible for the Airports Capital Assistance Program program, you must:
Owner or operator of an eligible airport or aerodrome
Airport certified, or aerodrome close to certification
Year-round scheduled passenger service under 525,000 annually
What expenses are eligible under Airports Capital Assistance Program?
Rehabilitation of airside facilities to improve airport safety.
Purchase of aircraft rescue and firefighting trucks, related equipment, and shelters.
Purchase of heavy mobile equipment and related shelters for airport operations.
Safety improvements to air terminals, including sprinkler upgrades, asbestos removal, and barrier-free access.
Projects that bring a registered aerodrome up to certification.
Who can I contact for more information about the Airports Capital Assistance Program?
You can contact Transport Canada (TC) by email at tc.acap-paia.tc@tc.gc.ca or by phone at none.
Where is the Airports Capital Assistance Program available?
The Airports Capital Assistance Program program is available across Canada.
More programs like this
On-road Transportation Decarbonization — Demonstration Projects$500,000-$5,000,00075%
