Patricia Maloney Consulting has previous experience with airports across B.C. and in the Northwest
Smithers town council has awarded the contract to create a new Airport Master Plan to Patricia Maloney Consulting.
In early 2025, the Town used Moorhouse Aviation to apply for a grant through the BC Air Access Program. That grant application was successful, and the Town was awarded $35,000 to develop a new Airport Master Plan.
The Town then tendered an RFP inviting qualified firms to submit proposals for the provision of professional consulting services to complete a comprehensive Master Plan for the Smithers Regional Airport (YYD), which was last updated in 2009.
Previously,  Samantha LeBlanc, communications officer for the Town of Smithers, told The Interior News the plan will provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of the Smithers Regional Airport and outline its future growth potential.
“It will assess infrastructure, operations, and economic development opportunities, while establishing a clear vision and forecasting future activity. The plan will also guide marketing, land use, tenant attraction, GHG reduction, and identify projects eligible for BC Air Access Program funding,” she said.
According to Airport Manager Trevin Muscat, the submitted response from the proposed consultant is considerate of the airport’s need for revenue generation, prudent capital spending and sound asset management, while mindfully adapting to their specific challenges of a limited population base, economic leakage to neighbouring municipalities, and YYD’s reliance on grant funding.
He also told council in a report, the consultant’s tailored approach seeks to address these unique regional and fiscal conditions specific to the airport, among the larger industry challenges of changing airline travel patterns, consumer behaviours, and shifting political landscapes.
Patricia Maloney Consulting has relevant experience with providing similar strategic and master plan studies for several other regional airports, including Campbell River, Fort McMurray, Yellowknife, Qualicum Beach, Nanaimo, Cowichan Valley, McBride, Grande Prairie, Villeneuve, Peace River, Prince Rupert, and Terrace.
