During a budget meeting at the RDOS Thursday – directors stated that the Regional District must be at the table when it comes to the future operation of the airport with a $30 thousand study proposed by staff.

Final budget figures won’t be known until spring of 2015 but it appears from the conversation that regional government wants to join with the Penticton Indian Band and the City of Penticton in discussing the subject of governance.

Earlier:

City council in Penticton has agreed to move ahead with discussions regarding the operation of Penticton Regional Airport.

The action came after council received a recent letter from Transport Canada regarding transferring ownership and/or operation of the airport.

There are 18 airports, including Penticton, in four provinces, that remain under the sole responsibility of the federal government.

Mayor Andrew Jakubeit said every once in a while Transport Canada makes this overture, because the government wants to divest itself. He say any meetings would involve the city, Penticton Indian Band and regional district.

PIB Chief Jonathan Kruger is aware of the letter and said the first people Transport Canada should be talking to is them, because the airport land is PIB land.