Comox Valley Airport: Gateway To Vancouver Island's Beauty

what airport is comox british columbia

Comox Valley Airport, also known as Canadian Forces Base Comox (YQQ / CYQQ), is an airport located in Comox, British Columbia, Canada. The airport is approximately 6 km from the center of Comox and offers daily non-stop flights to various destinations in Canada, including Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton. Comox Valley Airport is classified as a civilian passenger terminal and is operated by the Comox Valley Airport Commission. It provides commercial and general aviation services and is known for its convenience and efficiency, offering a range of amenities to accommodate passengers and aircraft operations.

Characteristics Values
Name Comox Valley Airport, Canadian Forces Base Comox (CFB Comox)
Airport Codes YQQ/CYQQ/CYQQ
Location 1250 Knight Road, Comox, British Columbia, Canada
Distance from Comox 6 km
Other nearby airports Powell River Airport, Campbell River Airport
Airlines Air Canada, Pacific Coastal Airlines, WestJet, Central Mountain Air, Northwest Airlines, Pacific Western, Air BC, Time Air
Aircraft Douglas Dakota, Avro Lancaster, Lockheed P2V-7 Neptune, Canadair CP-107 Argus, Lockheed CP-140 Aurora, Boeing 737, De Havilland Canada Dash 8, Short 360, Grumman HU-16 Albatross, Piasecki H-21, CH-113 Labrador, AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant, Boeing 747
Facilities Gift shop, café, car rentals
Destinations Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto

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Comox Valley Airport (YQQ) is 6km from Comox

Comox Valley Airport (YQQ) is a regional airport located 6km from the centre of Comox, British Columbia. It is also known as Canadian Forces Base Comox or CFB Comox, and is operated by the Comox Valley Airport Commission. The airport offers a convenient and efficient service with a range of amenities, including a gift shop, café, and car rentals. It is the best way to access Vancouver Island, with stunning views and daily non-stop flights to Vancouver (YVR), Calgary (YYC), and Edmonton (YEG) with airlines including Air Canada, Pacific Coastal Airlines, and WestJet.

Comox Valley Airport is centrally located, providing quick access to the Comox Valley communities of Courtenay and Cumberland, as well as the West Coast, Central Island, and North Island regions. The airport is classified as an airport of entry by Nav Canada and can handle general aviation aircraft with up to 15 passengers. It has a 10,000 ft (3,000 m) runway and is staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

The history of the airport dates back to World War II when it was used by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) for training crews of transport aircraft. In 1946, the base was mothballed until the Korean War and Cold War prompted its reactivation in 1952. CFB Comox began sharing the airport with civilian aircraft in the 1970s, and the first jumbo jet operated into the field in 1979 when a Northwest Airlines Boeing 747 made an emergency landing.

Today, Comox Valley Airport continues to serve the community of Comox and the surrounding areas, providing daily direct flights to major Canadian cities and convenient access to the region's natural attractions.

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The airport is operated by the Comox Valley Airport Commission

The Comox Valley Airport (YQQ) is located in Comox, British Columbia, Canada. It is a regional airport that serves the community of Comox and the surrounding Comox Valley area, including Courtenay and Cumberland. The airport is centrally located, providing quick access to the West Coast, Central Island, and North Island regions of Vancouver Island.

The airport offers a range of amenities and facilities for passengers and aircraft operations, including a gift shop, café, car rentals, and daily non-stop flights to major cities in Canada such as Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton. During the summer of 2021, WestJet even offered non-stop service to Toronto on Saturdays.

The Comox Valley Airport is operated by the Comox Valley Airport Commission. The airport has a long history, dating back to World War II when it was used by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) for training crews of transport aircraft. After the war, the base was mothballed until the 1950s when it was reactivated due to tensions from the Korean War and the Cold War.

Today, the airport is classified as a civilian passenger terminal and is operated by the Comox Valley Airport Commission. It is an airport of entry, able to handle general aviation aircraft with up to 15 passengers, and is staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). The Commission ensures the efficient operation of the airport, providing a convenient and accessible gateway to Vancouver Island for locals and tourists alike.

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It offers daily direct flights to Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver

Comox Valley Airport, also known as Canadian Forces Base Comox (YQQ / CYQQ) or CFB Comox, is located in Comox, British Columbia. It is approximately 6 km from the centre of Comox. The airport provides commercial and general aviation services to travellers, with a focus on convenience and efficiency.

Comox Valley Airport offers daily direct flights to several destinations, including Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver. These flights are operated by various airlines, such as Air Canada, Central Mountain Air, Pacific Coastal, and WestJet. The airport has a convenient location, providing quick access to the Comox Valley, including Comox, Courtenay, and Cumberland.

Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver are three of the most popular destinations accessible from Comox Valley Airport. Calgary International Airport (YYC) is located in the city of Calgary, Alberta, and is one of the busiest airports in Canada. It serves as a hub for several airlines and offers a wide range of domestic and international flight options. Edmonton International Airport (YEG) is another major airport in the province of Alberta, offering a variety of domestic and international flights. As for Vancouver, Comox Valley Airport provides daily non-stop flights to Vancouver International Airport (YVR), which is one of the largest airports in Canada and a major gateway to the Pacific Northwest.

By offering daily direct flights to these destinations, Comox Valley Airport provides convenient travel options for residents and visitors of the Comox Valley and surrounding areas. These direct flights save time and eliminate the need for connecting flights, making travel more efficient and accessible for passengers travelling to and from Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver.

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The airfield was used by the RCAF for training during WWII

The Comox Valley Airport, also known as the Canadian Forces Base Comox (CFB Comox) or 19 Wing, is located in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. It is operated as an air force base by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

During World War II, the RCAF used the airfield at CFB Comox for training transport aircraft crews. The facility was known as RCAF Station Comox, taking its name after the RCAF took control of the airfield from the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1943. The RAF had originally constructed the airfield in Comox in spring 1942 to guard against potential threats from the Imperial Japanese Navy to North America.

In 1944, a training squadron was based at RCAF Station Comox, flying the Douglas Dakota. The base was mothballed from 1946 until 1952, when tensions from the Korean War and Cold War led to its reactivation and the establishment of a permanent RCAF base on Canada's Pacific coast.

CFB Comox continues to serve as an important air force base for the RCAF, being one of two bases in Canada that utilise the CP-140 Aurora anti-submarine and maritime patrol aircraft. The airfield is also used by civilian aircraft, with the civilian passenger terminal known as the Comox Valley Airport.

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The first jumbo jet to operate into the airfield landed in 1979

Comox Airport, also known as Canadian Forces Base Comox (CFB Comox) or Vancouver Island Airport, is located in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. It is a Canadian Forces base that is primarily operated as an air force base by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The airfield is also used by civilian aircraft, with the civilian passenger terminal building operations called the Comox Valley Airport.

On June 5, 1979, a Boeing 747 operated by Northwest Airlines became the first jumbo jet to operate into the airfield when it made an emergency landing at CFB Comox. The flight was chartered by the U.S. military to transport 368 active-duty personnel and their families from Travis Air Force Base to Japan and South Korea. While en route from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport to Cape Scott, a fire broke out in one of the aircraft's engines. Despite efforts to extinguish the flames, the crew was unable to do so and was forced to declare an emergency and request permission to land on the 10,000 ft (3,000 m) runway at CFB Comox. Fortunately, all 368 passengers and 13 crew members onboard evacuated safely, and there were no reported injuries.

The Boeing 747, often referred to as the "Jumbo Jet," is one of the most iconic and recognisable aircraft in aviation history. It is known for its distinctive hump forward of the wings, which houses an upper deck. This design feature, unique at the time of its introduction, revolutionised air travel by providing increased passenger capacity and comfort. The Boeing 747 is capable of carrying a large number of passengers or a significant amount of cargo, making it a versatile aircraft for commercial and military operations.

The emergency landing of the Northwest Airlines Boeing 747 at Comox Airport in 1979 demonstrated the airfield's ability to handle large aircraft and manage emergency situations. It also highlighted the importance of CFB Comox as a strategic location for both military and civilian aviation in the region. The safe evacuation of all passengers and crew during the incident is a testament to the effective emergency response and coordination between the airline, the U.S. military, and the airport authorities at Comox.

Frequently asked questions

The airport in Comox, British Columbia is called the Comox Valley Airport or Canadian Forces Base Comox (YQQ / CYQQ).

The airport is approximately 6 km from the centre of Comox.

Airlines that operate from Comox Valley Airport include Air Canada, Pacific Coastal Airlines, WestJet, Central Mountain Air, and Northwest Airlines.

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