Owais Crawford
Victoria International Airport, also known as YYJ, is located 12 nautical miles north-northwest of Victoria on the Saanich Peninsula. The airport is run by the Victoria Airport Authority and offers non-stop daily flights to Vancouver International Airport, Seattle, Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and Edmonton. In addition to these destinations, the airport also provides seasonal services to several Mexican resort destinations and Las Vegas. YYJ served approximately 1.87 million passengers in 2024, making it the 11th busiest airport in Canada. However, some concerns have been raised about the management of the airport, with comments about flight delays and logistical challenges.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Code | YYJ |
| Airport Name | Victoria International Airport |
| Location | 12 nautical miles (22 km; 14 mi) north-northwest of Victoria on the Saanich Peninsula |
| Airport Authority | Victoria Airport Authority |
| Airlines | Delta Airlines, Westjet Airlines, Air Canada Rouge, Alaska Air |
| Destinations | Vancouver, Seattle, Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, British Columbia, Yukon, Mexico, Las Vegas, Honolulu |
| Passenger Traffic | 1,872,033 passengers in 2024 |
| Aircraft Movements | 95,615 in 2024 |
| Airport Ranking | Canada's 11th busiest airport, British Columbia's third busiest airport |
| Airport Improvements | Runway 09-27 extension for long-haul flights, $155 million heliport for 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron |
| Amenities | Red Coat Volunteers, NEXUS fast-track security lane, No Smoking Policy, Wi-Fi internet service |
| Acknowledgement | Homeland of the WSÁNEĆ people, with relationships to the Tseycum, Tsartlip, Tsawout, and Pauquachin First Nations |
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What You'll Learn
Victoria Airport Authority's focus on ULLC market
The Victoria Airport Authority (VAA) currently seems to be focusing on the ULLC market. This means that there is not much scope for increasing transborder services. The airport, YYJ, is not equipped to handle that kind of traffic, and bringing in USA pre-clearance will not be possible until the airport expands.
YYJ is Canada's 11th busiest airport in terms of passengers and is British Columbia's third busiest airport. It served 1,872,033 passengers in 2024. The airport has many non-stop daily flights to Vancouver International Airport (YVR), which is a major airport serving global routes. YYJ also offers non-stop services to Seattle (SEA) and several cities in British Columbia and Yukon. There are seasonal non-stop services to Mexican resort destinations and, until September 2019, Delta Airlines offered a service to the United States.
The airport is located 12 nautical miles (22km, 14 miles) north-northwest of Victoria on the Saanich Peninsula. The bulk of the airport, including the passenger terminal, is in North Saanich, with a small portion extending into Sidney. The airport is classified as an airport of entry by Nav Canada and is staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). CBSA officers can handle aircraft with up to 120 passengers, or 450 if unloaded in stages. YYJ does not have US customs and border preclearance, which means many passengers fly to YVR first, as it does have this preclearance.
The airport has undergone renovations and expansions to meet passenger needs. In 2002, the airside hold room and arrivals rotunda were rebuilt, and the new departures area was completed in 2005. In the same year, the federal government announced a reduction in the rent paid by the VAA, saving $0.6 million per year and $12 million over the 50-year lease. In 2015, 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron moved into a new $155 million heliport, named Arundel Castle.
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Reduction in direct flights
Victoria International Airport, located 12 nautical miles north-northwest of Victoria on the Saanich Peninsula, has seen a reduction in direct flights to various destinations over the years. The airport, also known as YYJ, primarily serves nearby British Columbia and Alberta, as well as western Washington in the United States.
In July 2016, Westjet Airlines discontinued its service to Honolulu from Victoria, impacting direct flight options to Hawaii. Additionally, in September 2019, Delta Airlines ended its three daily flights to Seattle, resulting in a 50% decrease in non-stop service between Victoria and the United States.
The reduction in direct flights from Victoria International Airport can be attributed to several factors. One significant factor is the airport's size and capacity constraints. YYJ is relatively small compared to other airports and faces logistical challenges in managing simultaneous inbound domestic and transborder traffic. The lack of United States customs and border preclearance at YYJ further complicates transborder travel, often directing passengers to Vancouver International Airport (YVR), which offers more efficient connections.
Another factor influencing the reduction in direct flights is market demand. Airlines make decisions based on demand and profitability, and if there is insufficient demand for a particular route, airlines may choose to discontinue service. Additionally, the airport's focus on the ULLC (Ultra Low-Cost Carrier) market may contribute to the reduction in direct flights, as the ULLC model typically involves point-to-point travel rather than hub-and-spoke connections.
The Victoria Airport Authority has recognized the need for expansion and improvements to accommodate increased traffic and transborder services. The Master Plan for 2023-2042 outlines future infrastructure growth, including the extension of Runway 09-27 to enhance safety for long-haul flights and potential new international destinations. However, until physical expansion and upgrades are realized, YYJ may continue to face limitations in attracting and retaining direct flight services.
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Staff shortages
The airport, also known as YYJ, is run by the Victoria Airport Authority (VAA) and is located 12 nautical miles (22 km or 14 miles) north-northwest of Victoria on the Saanich Peninsula. In 2024, YYJ served approximately 1.9 million passengers, making it the 11th busiest airport in Canada.
YYJ primarily offers flights to nearby destinations in British Columbia and Alberta, western Washington, and several smaller cities in British Columbia and Yukon. It also has non-stop daily flights to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and seasonal flights to tourist destinations in Mexico.
However, there have been concerns about the management of the airport. The Victoria Airport Authority has been criticized for its focus on the ULLC market, and YYJ's limited capacity to handle transborder service and traffic. The airport does not have United States customs and border preclearance, which can be inconvenient for passengers connecting to US flights.
Additionally, there have been mentions of flight delays and cancellations, with Delta Airlines permanently ending its three daily flights to Seattle in September 2019 and Westjet Airlines discontinuing service to Honolulu from Victoria in July 2016. These changes may be attributed to various factors, including demand, capacity, and staff shortages.
To improve the airport's operations and address challenges, the Victoria Airport Authority has implemented initiatives such as the Red Coat Volunteers program, providing assistance and hospitality to passengers, and the NEXUS fast-track security lane for trusted travelers.
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Seasonal flights to Mexico and Las Vegas
Victoria International Airport, also known as Victoria Airport (IATA: YYJ, ICAO: CYYJ), is a medium-sized airport in Canada. It is located 12 nautical miles (22 km; 14 mi) north-northwest of Victoria on the Saanich Peninsula. The airport is run by the Victoria Airport Authority.
The airport offers seasonal flights to several Mexican resort destinations in the late fall to early spring period. There are non-stop flights to three destinations in Mexico: Cancún, Puerto Vallarta, and San José del Cabo. These flights are operated by WestJet.
Victoria International Airport also offers seasonal flights to Las Vegas, which is a busy year-round destination with a subtropical desert climate. The direct flights to Las Vegas are offered by WestJet, with one non-stop flight and 123 connecting flights per week. This seasonal route typically operates from October to April.
In addition to the seasonal flights, Victoria International Airport has many non-stop daily flights within Canada and to Seattle in the United States. The airport also has national service to Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, and several smaller cities in British Columbia and Yukon.
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Victoria Airport's commitment to First Nations
Victoria International Airport, also known as YYJ, is located on the Saanich Peninsula, 12 nautical miles (22 km) north-northwest of Victoria, with the bulk of the airport in North Saanich and a small portion extending into Sidney. The airport is run by the Victoria Airport Authority (VAA) and is on the traditional territory of the Coast Salish Peoples.
The VAA has expressed its commitment to strengthening relationships with the four First Nation communities on the Saanich Peninsula: Tseycum, Tsartlip, Tsawout, and Pauquachin. The airport authority acknowledges that it operates on the homelands of the WSÁNEĆ People, whose historical relationship with the land continues today.
YYJ has seen a review of its procurement practices, recruitment and hiring processes, and opportunities for Indigenous cultural training for staff. The airport authority is also exploring ways to incorporate W̱SÁNEĆ placemaking throughout the airport lands and terminal. While discussions with the W̱SÁNEĆ communities are ongoing, the VAA is committed to reflecting on the Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action #92 and finding meaningful ways to put reconciliation into action.
The VAA has also highlighted its relationship-building efforts with the four First Nation communities. The authority has ongoing engagement with Chief Tanya Jimmy and the councillors of the Tseycum First Nation, which is the community with which the VAA has historically had the most dialogue. The VAA is also committed to finding opportunities for meaningful partnerships with the First Nations in the airport's ongoing operations and future developments.
YYJ served 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 (YVR) and Seattle (SEA), as well as national services to several Canadian cities.
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Frequently asked questions
YYJ is the code for Victoria International Airport.
The Victoria Airport Authority is the operator of Victoria International Airport. The VAA Board of Directors has committed to showcasing the work of talented artists in the terminal building.
YYJ charges an airport improvement fee for each outgoing passenger, as do most airports run by local authorities in Canada.
Some people believe that the Victoria Airport Authority is delusional and that YYJ is not equipped for certain kinds of traffic. YYJ does not have United States customs and border preclearance, which can be inconvenient for passengers.
YYJ has nonstop daily flights to Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Seattle (SEA), Ottawa (YOW), Toronto (YYZ), Montreal (YUL, summer only), Calgary (YYC), and Edmonton (YEG). The airport also serves several smaller cities in British Columbia and Yukon and offers seasonal flights to Mexican resort destinations.
