Ottawa invests in runway lands development at Winnipeg Richardson airport

The federal government is investing $10 million to help develop 127 acres of direct-access runway lands at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport, aimed at expanding aviation and trade-related activity in Manitoba.

The funding, announced by Doug Eyolfson, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg West and minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, will support the Winnipeg Airports Authority in preparing shovel-ready airside lands for new and expanding businesses.

The Province of Manitoba is contributing $5 million to the project, while the airports authority is investing $17 million.

The development will create space for companies requiring immediate runway access, including those in aerospace, defence and advanced manufacturing. Planned facilities could include aircraft maintenance and repair operations.

“Strong supply chains depend on strong infrastructure. By expanding airside lands at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport, we are building on Manitoba’s strengths in aviation, aerospace and advanced manufacturing – attracting new investment, creating good jobs and helping ensure Canada remains competitive in a rapidly changing global economy,” said Eleanor Olszewski, minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada.

Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said the investment will help ensure airports can support growing aviation activity and connect businesses to global markets.

“A strong transportation system is essential to Canada’s economic growth and resilience. Investments like this ensure our airports are ready to support expanding aviation activity, strengthen supply chains and connect Canadian businesses to global markets. The Winnipeg Richardson International Airport, that I was please to tour personally, plays an important role in that network,” MacKinnon said.

In January 2026, the Winnipeg Airports Authority, CentrePort Canada and Arctic Gateway Group announced a new trade alliance backed by PrairiesCan and the Province of Manitoba to strengthen the province’s trade network and diversify Canadian trade routes.

Manitoba Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation Minister Jamie Moses said investors seek ready-to-build sites supported by reliable infrastructure.

“Investors look for ready-to-build sites and reliable infrastructure. By building that foundation with our government and private sector partners now, we are unlocking new opportunities for aviation and industrial investment, creating good jobs and strengthening Manitoba’s competitiveness in a fast-moving global economy,” Moses said.

Nick Hays, president and chief executive officer of the Winnipeg Airports Authority, said the lands represent a significant airside development opportunity.

“We thank the Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba for their partnership and investment in this critical infrastructure,” he said. “These lands represent one of the most strategically significant airside development opportunities in Canada. This investment enables the servicing required to make them development-ready, positioning Winnipeg and Manitoba to attract new business, create high-value jobs, and strengthen Canada’s trade capacity and global competitiveness.”