Blake Says Airport Still On Course

Friday, January 16, 2009 03:57 AM

Prince George, B.C. - The chairman of the Prince George Airport Authority, Jim Blake, says the departure of Manager Stieg Hoeg had nothing to do with the extension of the airport runway, or the improvement to other facilities.

"We will have to fight a little bit harder to get traffic to stop to refuel but we are still getting inquires."

Blake says the departure of Hoeg had nothing to do with the future plans and the present economy "We are already out searching for a replacement." He expects the post will be filled by late spring.

"We are facing a down turn in the world economy" Blake says, traffic from Hong Kong was down 19% in November and 30% in December. The freight traffic also has decreased from the Pearl Delta adding to the problem.

"We still plan on having the official opening in the spring and we expect to be landing some larger aircraft at that time."

Blake would not discuss beyond that the sudden departure of Stieg Hoeg.

The news was released yesterday that the Airport Authority and Hoeg had come to a mutual agreement about his departure. Hoeg had been the General Manager of the Prince George Airport for 16 years.

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Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 03:57 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: He speaks on January 16 2009 8:02 AM

If Stieg was doing his job, and was not misbehaving in the administration of duties. I can not see Jim and his croonies worried about Stieg, or have any reason to dismiss him. Stieg is a extremely well focused man, who will do what needs to be done to meet the objectives.

Thus the likelyhood of Stieg tendering his resignation is a result of him recieving a better offer from someone else. Or he pushed an issue to far with the board.

Posted by: Palopu on January 16 2009 9:26 AM

Interesting to note that they expect to be landing some larger Aircraft at their grand opening this spring.

Anyone notice that the terminology changed from Wide Body Cargo Jets, to Larger Aircraft?

Stieg stated in previous press releases that we would see some planes landing in December, then January, and now Blake says we will see some larger planes landing in the Spring. He doesnt clarify whether these planes will be landing as part of the Grand Opening Hoop La., or if they are planes that will land on a regular basis to refuel.

Posted by: RRrabbitt on January 16 2009 1:06 PM

Quite true Pal,... I can only imagine... during the Grande Opening ... the PA guy telling everyone to squint into the western sky as the AN-225 skirts the coastline of BC...

Ahhhhhhh !!!! .....

:-) V.

Posted by: Palopu on January 16 2009 9:30 PM

Im sure that the local airport guys have contacted the Russian Government advising them that we are a tech stop for Cargo Planes. The AN-225 is the largest Cargo plane in the world. They have a second one being refurbished and was to be finished in 2008. Maybe we could get both of them to land here,.

Posted by: gus on January 17 2009 9:18 AM

Some may recall that the largest Cargo Plane in the world landed and took off from YXS at the time when we had a PG Airshow. Don't know how whether it was the same plane or whether the AN-225 is larger.

I recall it had to fly empty, however.

It may not be quite a first.