Salmon Arm Airport: Does It Exist?

Salmon Arm, British Columbia, Canada, does indeed have its own airport, known as Salmon Arm Airport (YSN) or Shuswap Regional Airport (CZAM). The airport is located just 5 km from the centre of Salmon Arm. However, the closest major airport to Salmon Arm is Kelowna International Airport, which is about 100 km away and offers both international and domestic flights. There has been some controversy regarding the development of industrial areas near the Salmon Arm Airport, with concerns about the removal of agricultural land and the impact on the local community.

Salmon Arm Airport exists and is 5km from Salmon Arm, Canada

Salmon Arm Airport does exist and is located just 5km from Salmon Arm, Canada. The airport is also known as Shuswap Regional Airport and has the airport codes YSN and CZAM.

While Salmon Arm Airport is the closest airport to Salmon Arm, there are several other airports in the region. Vernon Regional Airport is 66km away, while Kelowna International Airport, which offers both international and domestic flights, is located 100km from Salmon Arm. Kamloops Airport and Penticton Regional Airport are also within a reasonable distance at 122km and 180km, respectively.

Salmon Arm has been the focus of discussions regarding the potential development of an industrial area near the airport. The city's official community plan draft from January 2025 included a proposal to remove 146 acres of Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) land near the airport for the construction of a second industrial park. However, some residents have objected to this idea, arguing that it could negatively impact the downtown area and result in the loss of valuable farmland.

Despite the controversy, Salmon Arm Airport remains an important transportation hub for the region, providing convenient air travel options for residents and visitors to Salmon Arm, Canada.

The closest major airport is Kelowna International Airport, 100km away

Salmon Arm, British Columbia, does indeed have its own airport, known as Salmon Arm Airport (YSN). However, this airport only serves the area on a local level. For those looking to travel internationally or on a larger scale, the closest major airport is Kelowna International Airport (YLW/CYLW). This airport is located 100 km from the center of Salmon Arm, offering both international and domestic flights.

Kelowna International Airport is conveniently situated in Kelowna, British Columbia, providing a range of flight options for travelers in the region. With a distance of 100 km, it is significantly closer to Salmon Arm than other major airports in the area, making it the primary choice for those looking to travel further afield.

While Salmon Arm Airport serves the local community, Kelowna International Airport opens up a world of possibilities, connecting travelers to destinations across the globe. As a major transportation hub, it offers a variety of amenities and services to ensure a smooth and efficient travel experience.

The airport is well-equipped to handle a high volume of passengers, providing efficient check-in and security processes to minimize delays. Additionally, the airport likely boasts a range of dining and shopping options, allowing travelers to relax, refresh, and purchase any last-minute travel essentials before their journey.

For those residing in or visiting Salmon Arm, Kelowna International Airport serves as the primary gateway to the world. Its proximity to Salmon Arm underscores its significance as the preferred choice for travelers seeking convenient access to international and domestic destinations beyond the reach of smaller local airports.

Kamloops Airport is another major airport near Salmon Arm

Salmon Arm, British Columbia, Canada, does have its own airport, known as Salmon Arm Airport (YSN). However, this airport only serves smaller aircraft, and passengers looking for a major airport with domestic flights will find Kamloops Airport (YKA), 122km away, a good alternative.

Also known as Fulton Field or John "Moose" Fulton Airfield, Kamloops Airport is located 5 nautical miles (9km) west-northwest of Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. The airport is owned by the Kamloops Airport Authority Society and operated by Kamloops Airport Limited, serving the North Okanagan, Nicola, and Shuswap areas. It has two runways, measuring 2,780 by 49 ft (847 by 15 m) and 8,000 by 148 ft (2,438 by 45 m), and served approximately 263,290 passengers in 2011.

The history of Kamloops Airport dates back to 1931 when the city leased 46 acres of land from a fruit-growing company for its construction. The airport's development began in 1936, and the gravel runway was completed in 1938. The airport was officially opened on August 5, 1939, along with an air show, and it was classified as a port of entry by the Canadian government later that month. During World War II, the airport was used by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) as an alternate route for flights to the Soviet Union.

In the late 1960s, the airport saw improvements and expansions, with the addition of administrative buildings, offices, a baggage area, and a coffee shop. Jet service arrived at Kamloops in 1969 with Pacific Western Airlines introducing nonstop Boeing 737-200 jetliner flights to Vancouver and Calgary. The airport's telecommunication equipment was set up in a separate building in 1977, and by 1975, all flights into the airport were being operated by Pacific Western Airlines with Boeing 727-200 and Boeing 737-200 jetliners.

Today, Kamloops Airport continues to offer domestic flights to various destinations across Canada, providing a convenient option for travellers in the region, including those from Salmon Arm.

There are plans to build an industrial park near the airport

Salmon Arm, British Columbia, Canada, does have an airport, known as Salmon Arm Airport (YSN) or Shuswap Regional Airport (CZAM). It is a small local airport located 5 km from the city centre.

Plans for an Industrial Park

There are indeed plans to build an industrial park near the Salmon Arm Airport. The January 2025 official community plan draft includes a proposal to remove 146 acres of Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) land near the airport to construct a second industrial park. This proposal has faced opposition from some members of the community. Objections include the potential increase in sprawl, the loss of valuable farmland, and the transfer of wealth from the public to land owners.

Supporters of the plan argue that Salmon Arm could be an attractive location for large distribution companies looking to establish facilities in the area. However, this would require a significant financial investment from the city to connect city services to the area. The city has proposed sharing the costs of these connections, which has been criticised as a transfer of public funds to private landowners, with no significant value creation or productivity boost for the local economy.

The initiative is seen by some as being driven primarily by land speculators, and there are calls to focus on community-driven priorities, such as repairing recreation facilities, rather than developing a new industrial park. Despite the objections, the proposal to build an industrial park near the airport in Salmon Arm remains in the current official community plan draft.

Local residents have objected to the industrial park, citing loss of farmland

Salmon Arm, British Columbia, does have an airport, known as Salmon Arm Airport (YSN). However, it appears that the local community is divided over plans to build an industrial park near the airport.

The January 2025 official community plan draft proposed removing 146 acres of Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) land near the airport to build a second industrial park. This has sparked objections from local residents, who cite the loss of farmland as a primary concern. They argue that the development would eliminate much-needed farmland and potentially increase sprawl, threatening the downtown area.

In a letter to the Salmon Arm Observer, a resident expressed their objection to the removal of ALR land, stating that it would likely have negative consequences for the community. They also questioned the motivation behind the proposal, suggesting that it is driven primarily by land speculators seeking to increase the value of the property.

Another local letter writer urged the city to focus on community-driven priorities, such as fixing failing recreation facilities, rather than allocating scarce public resources to facilitate the development of a new industrial park on valuable farmland. They suggested that if an industrial park is truly needed in the future, it can be built then, preserving the land's current agricultural designation in the meantime.

The controversy surrounding the proposed industrial park highlights the tension between economic development and the preservation of agricultural land in Salmon Arm. While some may see the industrial park as an opportunity for economic growth, local residents have voiced valid concerns about the potential loss of farmland and the impact on the character and well-being of their community.

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