Nanaimo Airport Never Takes a Vacation

Summer is vacation season. But while many people are taking time off, Nanaimo Airport (YCD) is doing the opposite. Every day, the airport operates behind the scenes to keep people, goods and essential services moving.

Passengers see check-in counters, baggage drop, security screening, and customer service. What they don’t see is all the planning, inspections, maintenance, and coordination that ensures smooth and safe operations.

Activity at YCD starts long before the first traveller rolls a suitcase through the terminal, and ends long after the last aircraft departs. The cycle repeats 365 days a year.

The airfield team, for example, starts each day by inspecting runways, taxiways, lighting systems, and other critical infrastructure. They make sure everything is ready for the many commercial and private aircraft using the airport.

Maintenance crews work year-round to help make travel safe, from clearing snow in winter to managing wildlife that could pose a hazard to aircraft.

In addition, many other activities are taking place that you may not see. These include:

• Medevac flights: Critical care teams depend on the airport to quickly transport patients to larger medical centres.
• Cargo operations: Shipments move through YCD every day, helping local businesses receive supplies and ship goods while keeping online orders flowing to Vancouver Island.
• Flight training: Student pilots regularly use the airport and surrounding airspace as they build the experience needed for aviation careers.
• Private and charter flights: Businesses, organizations and private pilots rely on YCD for efficient access throughout the region.
• Wildfire response: During fire season, aircraft and emergency crews use the airport as a staging point, moving people, equipment, and supplies where they’re needed most.

• Aircraft maintenance: Hangars on site support inspections and repairs that keep regional aviation running safely.

All are part of the airport’s daily rhythm and help sustain the Island’s economy, emergency response, and community well‑being. They’re essential to YCD’s role as a regional transportation hub.

Follow Nanaimo Airport at @flyYCD.