Airports Of Vancouver Island: An Overview

Vancouver Island is easily accessible by air, with several airports connecting it to the mainland. The island's largest airport is Victoria International Airport (YYJ), located near Sidney, about 30 minutes north of downtown Victoria. Nanaimo Airport (YCD), Comox Valley Airport (YQQ), Campbell River Airport (YBL), and Port Hardy Airport (YZT) are among the other airports that serve the island. These airports offer daily flights to and from destinations such as Vancouver, Seattle, Edmonton, Calgary, and Kelowna, with connections to other regular domestic and international flights.

Vancouver Island's largest airport

Vancouver Island is a popular destination for air travel, with several airports connecting the island to mainland British Columbia, other parts of Canada, and the United States. The largest airport on Vancouver Island is the Victoria International Airport (YYJ), located near Sidney and about a 30-minute drive north of downtown Victoria. The airport accommodates flights from various airlines, with daily arrivals from Vancouver and Seattle. It serves as a gateway for travellers heading to and from Vancouver Island, offering a range of transportation options, including airport shuttle services, taxis, and car rental agencies.

In addition to Victoria International Airport, there are several other notable airports on Vancouver Island that contribute to its air connectivity. One such airport is the Nanaimo Airport (YCD), centrally located on the island between the Cowichan Valley and Nanaimo. Nanaimo Airport offers convenient access to the island, with daily flights connecting Nanaimo to Vancouver, Abbotsford, and Langley. It also provides a range of transportation options, including taxi services, bus shuttles, and car rentals.

Comox Valley Airport (YQQ) is another important airport on Vancouver Island. While it may not be as large as Victoria International Airport, Comox Valley Airport has celebrated record passenger growth in recent years. This airport is served by various airline partners and offers convenient connections to other destinations.

Other airports on Vancouver Island include Campbell River Airport (YBL), Port Hardy Airport (YZT), and Qualicum Beach Airport. These airports, along with Victoria International Airport and Nanaimo Airport, form an extensive network of air transportation options for travellers heading to and from Vancouver Island. The availability of scheduled and charter flights, as well as the option to travel by seaplane or helicopter, ensures that visitors have a variety of choices when planning their journey to or from the island.

Nanaimo Airport

The airport currently has only one runway available for instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions, runway 16. This is due to the dogleg approach of the north-facing runway 34, which follows the Ladysmith Harbour. In 2010, the Nanaimo Airport Commission announced a significant runway expansion, increasing the length by almost 1,600 ft to accommodate larger aircraft. This was followed by the installation of an advanced instrument landing system (ILS) and associated lighting on runway 16, attracting commercial traffic from airlines such as WestJet Encore and Air Canada Rouge.

Comox Valley Airport

Vancouver Island has several airports, including the Comox Valley Airport (YQQ). Comox Valley Airport is served by major airlines such as WestJet and Air Canada, which offer scheduled flights to destinations including Edmonton and Kelowna. The airport also offers charter flights by floatplane, helijet, and helicopter.

As a small airport, Comox Valley Airport provides a solid and functional experience for travellers. It has seen record passenger growth in recent years and offers essential services and amenities to ensure a smooth travel experience. The airport is also committed to promoting art and sustainability initiatives, as evidenced by its Regeneration Art Exhibit and E-Bike Share Pilot Program.

With its convenient location, efficient operations, and access to various transportation options, Comox Valley Airport serves as a vital gateway to Vancouver Island and the many attractions it has to offer.

Campbell River Airport

Vancouver Island is served by several airports, including Victoria International Airport (YYJ), which is the largest airport on the island, located near Sidney, a 30-minute drive north of downtown Victoria.

One of the airports serving Vancouver Island is Campbell River Airport (YBL). Campbell River Airport is located in the Strathcona and Discovery Islands region of Northern Vancouver Island. It provides direct service to Vancouver International Airport and is accessible to both commercial and private flights, with a 6,500-foot grooved runway, Jet A-1 fuel, and convenient amenities like a 24/7 pilot lounge.

Several airlines offer services to and from Campbell River Airport, including Air Canada/Jazz, which connects to other regular domestic flights throughout Canada, the USA, and international destinations. Central Mountain Air also includes Campbell River in its scheduled and charter flights to communities in British Columbia. Additionally, Eagle Air Service provides charter passenger and freight services on scheduled and chartered flights to and from Campbell River, Port Hardy, Bella Bella, and Vancouver.

For those seeking an adventurous travel experience, seaplane and helicopter options are available for travel between downtown Vancouver and downtown Victoria. Chartered floatplanes can also offer a unique experience by splashing down on isolated inlets or remote wilderness lakes in British Columbia.

Regional airlines and flights

Vancouver Island and the bordering regions of Vancouver Coast & Mountains and Coastal British Columbia include terrain that is remote and isolated, with limited or no road access. Many of these destinations can only be reached by floatplane or helicopter. In addition to major airline connections, several regional airlines provide scheduled and charter flights by float plane, helijet, and helicopter between the BC mainland, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and Washington State.

Several regional airlines offer scheduled and charter flights to Vancouver Island and the surrounding areas. Some of the notable regional airlines include:

• Pacific Coastal Airlines: This airline offers scheduled services to/from Vancouver International Airport's South Terminal, serving multiple destinations, including Anahim Lake, Bella Bella, Bella Coola, Campbell River, Comox, Cranbrook, Kamloops, Masset, Penticton, Port Hardy, Powell River, Trail, Victoria, and Williams Lake. They also provide a service between Calgary and Penticton, and their floatplane division serves smaller communities near Port Hardy.
• Regional 1 Airlines: Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Regional 1 Airlines provides charter services worldwide, including Canada and the USA.
• SaltSpring Air: This locally owned airline is based out of Ganges on Saltspring Island, British Columbia. They offer a scheduled seaplane service between Saltspring Island, Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Downtown Vancouver/Vancouver Harbour, and Maple Bay on Vancouver Island.
• Vancouver Island Air: Operating since 1985, Vancouver Island Air is a seaplane company serving the British Columbia Coast, based in Campbell River. They offer charter and scheduled services with single DHC3T (Turbo Otters) aircraft.
• Air Nootka: Air Nootka is a floatplane operation based out of Gold River, serving the west coast of Vancouver Island in the Nootka and Kyuquot Sound areas. They offer scheduled and charter services, as well as scenic flights.
• Air North: Air North provides scheduled and charter flights throughout Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Alaska. They offer flights to and from various destinations, including Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna, and Fairbanks (seasonal).
• Airspeed Aviation Services: Based in Victoria and Abbotsford, Airspeed Aviation Services has been serving Victoria and the Fraser Valley for over 24 years.
• Alaska Airlines: Alaska Airlines offers services from Victoria, Vancouver, Kelowna, Calgary, and Edmonton.
• BCWest Air Service: BCWest provides air services between Vancouver Island, the lower mainland of British Columbia, and the province of BC. They offer scheduled routing between Nanaimo, Victoria, Boundary Bay, and Abbotsford, as well as private charters and air cargo services.
• Central Mountain Air: With bases in Smithers, Vancouver, and Calgary, Central Mountain Air provides scheduled and charter flights to over 17 communities in British Columbia and Alberta. They serve destinations such as Campbell River, Comox, Fort Nelson, Fort St. John, Kamloops, Kelowna, Prince George, Quesnel, Smithers, Terrace, Vancouver, and Williams Lake.
• Eagle Air Service: Eagle Air provides charter passenger and freight services on scheduled and chartered flights in and out of Port Hardy, Campbell River, Bella Bella, and Vancouver.

These regional airlines play a crucial role in connecting Vancouver Island and the surrounding areas, ensuring that travellers can access the region's remote and isolated destinations.

Frequently asked questions