Everything about Victoria International Airport totally explained
Victoria International Airport serves
Victoria,
British Columbia,
Canada. It is 22 km (14 mi) north of the city, in
North Saanich, quite close to the town of
Sidney on the
Saanich Peninsula. The airport is run by the
Victoria Airport Authority.
Like most airports that are run by local authorities in Canada, Victoria International Airport charges an
Airport Improvement Fee for each outgoing passenger.
The airport is classified as an
airport of entry by
NAV CANADA and is staffed by the
Canada Border Services Agency. CBSA officers at this airport currently can handle aircraft with no more than 450 passengers, when unloaded from the aircraft in stages, or 150 normally. The airport is located beside
Patricia Bay, which, due to the prevalence of
flying boats at the time, proved to be an excellent location. The Department of Transport took over the airport in 1948. It was then called Victoria (Patricia Bay) Airport, and many locals still refer to it as the "Pat Bay Airport."
Trans-Canada Airlines (later
Air Canada) began regular service in 1943.
The last of the
Royal Canadian Air Force forces left the airport in 1952, but
443 Helicopter Squadron of
Canadian Forces Air Command began operating
CH-124 Sea King ship-borne anti-submarine
helicopters from Victoria International Airport (which the military refers to as Patricia Bay) in the late 1980s.
In 1959, the airport was renamed to its present name of the Victoria International Airport.
In 1997, as part of a broad scale restructuring of airports across Canada,
Transport Canada (formerly the Department of Transport), gave operational control of the airport to the Victoria Airport Authority.
In 2000, the Airport Authority began the process of renovating and expanding the terminal to meet passenger needs. In 2002, the new Airside holdroom was built, as well as a new Arrivals Rotunda. By 2005, the new Departures area was completed, and the airport terminal had changed dramatically from how it was at the turn of the millennium.
In May 2005, the federal government, which owns the land, announced a reduction in the rent paid by the Airport Authority. This will save $0.6 million Canadian each year and $12 million CAD over the life of the lease, which is 50 years.
Plans
Year 1-5
- Full Parallel Taxiway E to Runway 09-27.
- New taxiway exit from Runway 09 to Taxiway S.
- New maintenance facility and fire hall on the west side of the airport.
- First phase of Apron IV expansion to accommodate interim demand.
- Extend approach lighting on Runway 27 by 320 metres.
- Additional Terminal Building public parking.
- Construct a bicycle/walking path around the parameter of the airport property.
- Add two new passenger loading bridges.
Year 6-10
Upgrading of approach lighting on Runway 09.
Decommission Taxiway D.
Apron IV expansion to the north.
New taxiway from Apron IV to Runway 02-20.
Construct a new General Aviation taxiway.
Construct road access from Mills Road.
Realign Willingdon Road to accommodate additional Terminal Building parking.
First phase of Terminal expansion (upper level hold room and two additional loading bridges.
Year 11-20
New Canadian Customs and U.S. Pre-Clearance facilities.
North Concourse Terminal expansion.
Construct a car parking structure.
A 427 metre (1,400 foot) runway expansion of Runway 09-27.
Airlines and destinations
Air Canada (Vancouver, Toronto-Pearson)
Air Transat operated by:
- WestJet (Puerto Vallarta, Cancun) [Seasonal]
Airspeed Aviation (Abbotsford)
Alaska Airlines
BCWest Air (Abbotsford)
Craig Air (Tofino/Ucluelet)
Orca Airways (Vancouver-South)
Pacific Coastal Airlines (Vancouver-South)
Skyservice (Cancun, Puerto Vallarta) [Seasonal]
Sunwing Vacations
Cargo Airlines
FedEx Express
Purolator (Vancouver)
Flight Training
There are several organizations that offer flight training at the airport
Victoria Flying Club
Juan Air
Island Pacific Flight Academy
Transportation to the airport
Victoria International Airport is served by BC Transit. There is also direct shuttle bus service to Victoria run by a local business and taxi services. By car, the airport is a twenty minute drive from downtown Victoria via Highway 17 northbound; this would vary with different traffic conditions, especially on Highway 17 (Patricia Bay Highway).
Further Information
Get more info on 'Victoria International Airport'.
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