A new international flight connections facility is coming to the Halifax airport.

The federal government will spend $8.3 million on the project, which would increase the amount of international and domestic passenger flights and allow planes to carry more cargo.

“Strong supply chains result in a strong economy that benefits all Canadians. The new international connections facility at the Halifax Airport will not only support this by bolstering trade between Nova Scotia and international markets but will also create more than 4,000 jobs,” wrote federal Infrastructure Minister Sean Fraser in a news release.

Fraser made the announcement at the airport on Wednesday on behalf of Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez.

The government hopes the new connections facility would bolster international trade by allowing more goods to flow in and out of the airport.

Funding comes from the National Trade Corridors Fund, which is a “competitive, merit-based program” that aims to help pay for transportation, like shipping, to help the economy, according to the news release.

“This expanded facility will help us attract more international air services to Halifax, which will increase our overall cargo capacity, enhance our global connectivity and accelerate regional economic growth,” wrote Joyce Carter, CEO of the Halifax International Airport Authority.

More to come…