YCD pursuit of excellence enhances Island life

Every aspect of Island life benefits from Nanaimo Airport’s (YCD) continuing pursuit of excellence. The latest flight additions and infrastructure improvements provide more travelling options and drive economic development.

They’re part of the Nanaimo Airport Commission’s commitment to excellence in customer service, operations and management.

New lighting project enhances safety, creates jobs 

A new $2 million grant for runway lighting will provide pilots with improved lighting conditions as they approach the airport.

The B.C. Air Access Program (BCAAP) investment will be used to enhance YCD’s runway instrument approach lighting — a critical safety component. The work will also boost the regional economy by creating construction employment.

More summer flights, more tourism

Residents can now fly directly to Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton thanks to YCD’s partnerships with Air Canada and WestJet. Easy connections can then get travellers to hundreds of global destinations.

In addition, YCD conveniently and affordably connects Islanders to family, friends, and business and employment opportunities across Canada.

The airport has helped drive the Island tourism sector’s strong rebound from COVID’s impact.

Pursuing even more routes

YCD got a glimpse of its possible future when it welcomed its first arrival of a Boeing 737 Max 8. This narrow body plane can carry up to 198 passengers on long-haul flights in North America.  At this time this aircraft is not a regularly scheduled aircraft at YCD.

The Air Canada flight showed that YCD can accommodate larger narrow body jets to serve our growing population and customer base on Vancouver Island.

Putting Nanaimo in the spotlight

The renowned hip hop dance duo Funkanometry shot a video at YCD for their 1.1 million TikTok followers. Dancers Jacksun Fryer of Nanaimo and Carlow Rush from the Cowichan Valley used the runway as their backdrop.

Funkanometry’s international fame has spread since they competed on America’s Got Talent and World of Dance.

Visit the new airport pages at YCD.ca, @nanaimoairportycd on Instagram, and @YCDNanaimoAirport on Facebook.