Ruth Haines
Victoria International Airport (YYJ) is located near the city of Victoria, Canada, and is the 11th busiest airport in the country, with almost 2 million passengers per year. YYJ is situated on the southern tip of Vancouver Island and offers both international and domestic routes. The airport is recognised as a significant economic driver, generating approximately $880 million in total economic output and creating 4,700 jobs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Victoria International Airport |
| IATA Code | YYJ |
| ICAO Code | CYYJ |
| Location | 12 nautical miles (22 km; 14 mi) north-northwest of Victoria on the Saanich Peninsula |
| Operator | Victoria Airport Authority |
| Passenger Traffic | 1.7 million (2014) to 1.93 million (2025) |
| Ranking | 10th or 11th busiest airport in Canada |
| Economic Output | $880 million |
| Jobs | 4,700 |
| Awards | Top ten most-loved airports in the world by CNN Travel; Best Regional Airport in North America by Airports Council International (twice); Most Efficient Airport with under 5 Million Passengers in North America |
| Amenities | Retail stores, restaurants, free WiFi, currency exchange, free baggage carts, children's play area |
| Runways | 3 |
| Gates | 9 |
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What You'll Learn
- Victoria International Airport is Canada's 10th or 11th busiest airport
- The airport is located on the traditional territory of the Lekwungen-speaking peoples
- It is 12 nautical miles from Victoria on the Saanich Peninsula
- The airport is home to Arundel Castle, the base for 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron
- Victoria Airport has over 100 daily flights across North America
Victoria International Airport is Canada's 10th or 11th busiest airport
Victoria International Airport (IATA: YYJ, ICAO: CYYJ) is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, 12 nautical miles (22 km or 14 miles) north-northwest of Victoria on the Saanich Peninsula. The airport is run by the Victoria Airport Authority and serves as an essential link to Victoria and other southern Vancouver Island communities.
YYJ is Canada's 10th or 11th busiest airport, with sources providing differing rankings. In 2024, the airport served 1,872,033 passengers, a slight decrease from the nearly 2 million passengers reported in 2022, which earned it the ranking of Canada's 11th busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic. It is the second busiest airport in British Columbia, with 1.93 million passengers per year.
The airport offers over 100 daily flights throughout North America, including non-stop daily flights to Vancouver International Airport (YVR), which take approximately 15 minutes. Additionally, Victoria International provides non-stop international service to Seattle (SEA) and seasonal scheduled flights to tourist destinations in Mexico. Domestic services are also available to Ottawa (YOW), Toronto (YYZ), Montreal (YUL, summer only), Calgary (YYC), and Edmonton (YEG), as well as several smaller cities in British Columbia and Yukon.
Victoria International Airport is home to Arundel Castle, the operating base for 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force. The airport has a rich history, previously serving as a base for flying boats in Patricia Bay and playing a role in World War II.
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The airport is located on the traditional territory of the Lekwungen-speaking peoples
Victoria International Airport (IATA: YYJ, ICAO: CYYJ) is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, 12 nautical miles (22 km; 14 mi) north-northwest of Victoria on the Saanich Peninsula. The airport is situated on the traditional territory of the Lekwungen-speaking peoples of the Songhees Nation and Xwsepsum Nation.
The Lekwungen or Lekungen people are indigenous North American Coast Salish people who have resided on southeastern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, in the Greater Victoria area for thousands of years. They are one of the earliest Indian peoples referenced in an 1849 report by W.C. Grant for Governor James Douglas. The report mentions that the "Natives around Patchana are numerous, those at Nittinat still more so."
The Songhees Nation and Xwsepsum Nation are descendants of the Lekwungen-speaking people who occupied much of Greater Victoria before Europeans settled in the area. The Douglas Treaties, signed with First Nations on Vancouver Island, cover approximately 930 square kilometres (360 sq mi) of land around Victoria, Saanich, Sooke, Nanaimo, and Port Hardy. The Victoria Airport Authority acknowledges that it operates on the traditional territory of the Lekwungen-speaking peoples and is committed to strengthening relationships with the Tseycum First Nation, Tsartlip First Nation, Tsawout First Nation, and Pauquachin First Nation.
Victoria International Airport is an important air link to Victoria and other southern Vancouver Island communities. It is Canada's 11th busiest airport, serving nearly 2 million passengers annually. The airport offers non-stop daily flights to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and international service to Seattle (SEA). It also provides domestic service to several cities in British Columbia and Yukon, including Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and Edmonton.
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It is 12 nautical miles from Victoria on the Saanich Peninsula
Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, Canada, is served by the Victoria International Airport (IATA: YYJ, ICAO: CYYJ). The airport is located 12 nautical miles (approximately 22 kilometres or 14 miles) north-northwest of Victoria on the Saanich Peninsula. The airport is situated beside Patricia Bay, which proved to be an excellent location due to the prevalence of flying boats in the past. The bulk of the airport, including the passenger terminal, is in North Saanich, with a small portion of the airfield extending into Sidney.
YYJ is an important air link to Victoria and other southern Vancouver Island communities. It is the 11th busiest airport in Canada in terms of passenger traffic, serving nearly 2 million passengers annually. The airport offers many non-stop daily flights to Vancouver International Airport (YVR), which take approximately 15 minutes. Additionally, Victoria International provides non-stop international service to Seattle and seasonal scheduled flights to tourist destinations in Mexico.
The airport is home to Arundel Castle, which serves as the operating base for 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force. In 2015, the squadron moved into a new $155 million heliport constructed at the airport. The unit's primary mission is to provide anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and logistical support for the Royal Canadian Navy.
The Victoria Airport Authority manages the airport and acknowledges that it operates on the traditional homeland of the WSÁNEĆ people, with ongoing historical relationships with the Tseycum First Nation, Tsartlip First Nation, Tsawout First Nation, and Pauquachin First Nation. The authority aims to strengthen relationships and find meaningful partnership opportunities with these First Nations communities in the airport's operations and future developments.
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The airport is home to Arundel Castle, the base for 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron
Victoria International Airport (IATA: YYJ, ICAO: CYYJ) is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, 12 nautical miles (22 km or 14 miles to be precise) north-northwest of Victoria on the Saanich Peninsula. The airport is run by the Victoria Airport Authority, which operates on the traditional territory of the Lekwungen-speaking peoples of the Songhees Nation and Xwsepsum Nation, as well as the homeland of the WSÁNEĆ people. The airport is an essential air link to Victoria and other southern Vancouver Island communities, providing a safe, secure, sustainable, and efficient service.
YYJ served approximately 1,872,033 passengers in 2024, making it Canada's 11th busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic. The airport offers non-stop daily flights to Vancouver International Airport, as well as international service to Seattle and seasonal service to several Mexican resort destinations. In addition, YYJ provides domestic service to major cities in Canada, including Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and Edmonton.
The airport is also home to Arundel Castle, which serves as the base for 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force. In 2015, the squadron moved into a new $155 million heliport, named Arundel Castle by the RCAF. The name was inspired by the major landmark of the same name in West Sussex, England, where the unit operated as a fighter squadron during World War II. The squadron's primary mission in the 21st century is to provide ASW (ship-borne anti-submarine warfare) and logistical support for the Royal Canadian Navy. They are responsible for all Canadian west coast operations of the CH-148 Cyclone helicopter.
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Victoria Airport has over 100 daily flights across North America
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, is served by the Victoria International Airport (IATA: YYJ, ICAO: CYYJ). It is located 12 nautical miles (22 km or 14 miles to be exact) north-northwest of Victoria on the Saanich Peninsula. The airport is run by the Victoria Airport Authority.
YYJ, as it is commonly referred to, has over 100 daily flights across North America. It is an essential link to Victoria and other southern Vancouver Island communities. The airport is approximately a 20-minute drive from downtown Victoria with little to no traffic.
Victoria International Airport offers non-stop daily flights to Vancouver International Airport (YVR), which takes around 15 minutes. YVR is a major airport that serves many global routes. Additionally, Victoria International Airport offers non-stop international service to Seattle (SEA) and seasonal (late fall to early spring) non-stop service to several Mexican resort destinations. The airport also has domestic services to Ottawa (YOW), Toronto (YYZ), Montreal (YUL, summer only), Calgary (YYC), and Edmonton (YEG), as well as several smaller cities in British Columbia and Yukon.
The airport started as a grass strip in 1939 and was used as a military training airfield. During World War II, it was known as Royal Air Force Station Patricia Bay, providing basic flight training for Royal Air Force pilots. The airport was later renamed Victoria (Patricia Bay) Airport in 1948, and it continues to be a beloved airport, rated as one of the top ten most-loved airports in the world by CNN Travel.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada is served by the Victoria International Airport (IATA: YYJ, ICAO: CYYJ).
The Victoria International Airport is Canada's 11th busiest airport, serving almost 2 million passengers per year.
The airport has both international and domestic routes. It has non-stop daily flights to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and seasonal scheduled flights to tourist destinations in Mexico. It also has non-stop international service to Seattle (SEA) and domestic service to Ottawa (YOW), Toronto (YYZ), Montreal (YUL, summer only), Calgary (YYC), and Edmonton (YEG).
