Airports Of Vancouver Island: A Comprehensive Guide

Vancouver Island is easily accessible by sea, land, or air. Air service between mainland BC, Washington State, and Vancouver Island is frequent and extensive. There are several airports on Vancouver Island, including Nanaimo Airport, Comox Valley Airport, Qualicum Beach Airport, and Ganges on Saltspring Island. These airports offer daily scheduled flights to and from various destinations, including Vancouver, Seattle, Abbotsford, Campbell River, and Langley. Harbour-to-harbour seaplane and helicopter services are also available for those seeking a more adventurous mode of travel.

Nanaimo Airport

The airport currently has only one runway available for instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions, runway 16, 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 1,600 ft (490 m) to accommodate larger aircraft. A third taxiway, labelled Charlie, was also added to provide direct access to runway 16. Shortly after, an advanced instrument landing system (ILS) was installed on runway 16, attracting commercial traffic from airlines such as WestJet Encore and Air Canada Rouge, in addition to Jazz Aviation.

Between April 2018 and February 2020, Nanaimo Airport underwent a major terminal expansion, increasing its screening capacity from 100 passengers per hour to 1,000. The expansion included enlarging the apron to accommodate the 60% increase in terminal size. In 2018, the airport served 435,000 passengers, offering flights to Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton through Air Canada Express, WestJet Encore, and WestJet Link.

Comox Valley Airport

The airport has seen record passenger growth in recent years and offers a range of amenities and services for travellers. These include an E-Bike Share Pilot Program, a regeneration art exhibit, and convenient, inexpensive parking with EV charging stations.

Several airlines operate from Comox Valley Airport, including major carriers such as Air Canada, Pacific Coastal Airlines, and WestJet. These airlines provide connections to larger cities, with direct flights to destinations like Edmonton and Kelowna.

In addition to the conventional aircraft services, Comox Valley Airport also serves as a base for seaplane and helicopter charter services, offering a more adventurous way to explore Vancouver Island and the surrounding areas. These services provide a unique perspective on the region's stunning natural scenery, including its isolated inlets and wilderness lakes.

Qualicum Beach Airport

Vancouver Island is served by several airports, including Nanaimo Airport, Vancouver International Airport, and Qualicum Beach Airport.

The airport offers daily scheduled flights to and from Vancouver Island and Texada Island, connecting communities along the coast of British Columbia. These include Vancouver, Port Alberni, Gillies Bay (Texada), Parksville, and Qualicum. The airport is also a base for charter flight services, providing scenic sightseeing flights and connections to other coastal communities.

In recent years, the Town Council has taken initiatives to improve the airport's operations and understand its role in the local and regional community. An Airport Consultation Plan was developed with the assistance of Operations Economics Inc., a team experienced in airport master planning. This plan considered the challenges and opportunities of the airport and aimed to gather public input on airport-related matters. As a result, an annual Committee of the Whole meeting is held to discuss airport-related topics, and an Airport Master Plan is under consideration for the 2024-2028 Financial Plan.

Seaplane services

Several airlines provide seaplane services to and from Vancouver Island, including:

• SaltSpring Air: Based out of Ganges on Saltspring Island, SaltSpring Air offers a scheduled seaplane service between Saltspring Island, Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Downtown Vancouver/Vancouver Harbour, and Maple Bay on Vancouver Island. They also provide seaplane flights to the Gulf Islands and charter flights to any destination on the west coast of British Columbia.
• K.D. Air: Operating daily scheduled flights to and from Vancouver Island and Texada Island, including links to Vancouver, Port Alberni, Gillies Bay (Texada), Parksville, and Qualicum.
• Alpha Executive Air: Offering scheduled airline service from Delta Boundary Bay Airport to Victoria, and charter service to Vancouver Island, Whistler, the Vancouver Lower Mainland, and the Thompson Okanagan.
• BCWest Air: Providing service between Vancouver Island and the lower mainland of British Columbia, including scheduled flights between Nanaimo, Victoria, Boundary Bay, and Abbotsford. They also offer private charters and air cargo services.

In addition to these regular seaplane services, charter companies such as Lakes District Air Services offer seaplane experiences, including sightseeing flights and fly-out fishing and hiking adventures. These charter services provide a more personalised and flexible way to explore Vancouver Island and its surrounding areas.

Helicopter services

Vancouver Island is served by several airports, including Nanaimo Airport, the most central airport on the island, and Qualicum Beach Airport. Seaplanes and helicopters also provide transport to and from the island.

Vancouver Island is served by several helicopter companies, including:

SKY Helicopters

SKY Helicopters offers helicopter tours of Vancouver, including the coastal mountains and backcountry of BC. They offer a range of flight times, from 30 to 105 minutes, with some tours including a 15-minute backcountry landing for beer tasting or champagne. The company is based out of the SKY Hangar at Pitt Meadows Airport, as well as the Vancouver Heliport.

West Coast Helicopters

West Coast Helicopters is a light and intermediate helicopter service with bases in Port McNeill, Campbell River, Nanaimo, Port Alberni, and Bella Coola.

Long Beach Helicopter Charters

Long Beach Helicopter Charters offer services from Nanaimo, Tofino, and Campbell River.

Helijet

Helijet provides charter flights and scheduled services between Victoria, Vancouver, and Nanaimo.

Frequently asked questions