Nanaimo Airport provides travellers even more reliability

Nanaimo Airport provides travellers even more reliability

Passengers flying into Nanaimo Airport can expect more reliable arrivals and fewer weather-related disruptions, especially during the winter months.

As of January 22, aircraft have been able to land safely at the Airport in poorer visibility than ever before. The improvement means fewer delays and cancellations when weather conditions are challenging.

The change is the result of NAV Canada lowering the minimum height at which pilots must see runway lights in order to land on Runway 16. The minimum was reduced by 43% to 250 feet. It’s an operational milestone for the airport.

“This is a significant step forward for Nanaimo Airport,” says Dave Devana, President and CEO. “It means aircraft can land safely in conditions that previously would have caused delays or cancellations, which directly improves reliability for passengers and airlines.”

As a result, the airport estimates weather-related disruptions will drop from about 40 days per year to just 11. The three major airlines serving Nanaimo have expressed strong support for the change.

NAV Canada, the country’s civil air navigation service provider, applied the lower minimum to all instrument approaches to Runway 16. The minimums determine the point during an approach when a pilot decides whether they can continue to land or must pull up and try again.

“When you lower that decision point, you give pilots more opportunity to complete a safe landing,” Devana said. “That’s critical for keeping schedules on track and passengers moving.”

The milestone reflects several years of infrastructure investment at the airport. Work includes runway and taxiway resurfacing, new runway end safety areas, runway grooving, apron upgrades, expanded aircraft parking, and a move to push-back operations. The airport’s new simplified short approach lighting system with runway alignment indicator lights (SSALR) is now about 80% complete and expected to be fully operational by year-end.

“This improvement didn’t happen overnight,” Devana said. “It’s the result of sustained investment, close collaboration with NAV Canada, and a clear focus on safety and reliability.”