Victoria International Airport is on track to welcome a record number of passengers by year’s end, according to data published by the Victoria Airport Authority.

 

Between the months of January and November the Island’s busiest airport and BC’s second busiest after Vancouver International welcomed 1.77 million arriving and departing travellers, a 4.4% increase over 2016’s 1.7 million throughout the same period.

 

The year’s final passenger count is likely to settle between 4.2% to 4.7% above 2016’s then record 1.86 million total, yielding yet another record just a notch below two million arriving and departing passengers.

 

Victoria International’s popularity as the Island’s premiere air transport hub has lead to a passenger volume increase of approximately 30% over the last decade. The airport has also received international accolades for its relaxed atmosphere and high regard among travellers.

 

And where passenger volumes are growing, airlines take note.

 

Delta Airlines introduced jet service to Seattle from Victoria last year, expanding connections from Victoria via SEA-TAC airport. Air Canada plans to add Montreal to Victoria’s list of destinations next summer as part of its growing Rouge subsidiary. Meanwhile peak season Air Canada flights to Toronto will be offered via two Airbus A321 aircraft, and Air North has announced twice-weekly 737 service to Whitehorse, Yukon will begin next year.

 


In order to drum up more business from airlines the Victoria Airport Authority plans to move forward with a terminal expansion plan that could begin as early as next year. Improvements to terminal facilities will increase the airport’s passenger handling capacity during peak departure and arrival periods while enabling more aircraft to park at the airport’s tarmac.

 

By 2030 Victoria International’s longest runway, dubbed 09/27, will be expanded by nearly 1,500 feet to 8,500 feet. The length will enable carriers to offer direct or one-stop international flights to destinations in Europe or Asia. A longer runway will also provide carriers with the option to operate larger twin-isle aircraft to destinations in Canada, the United States and Mexico.

 

Situated in North Saanich and near the town of Sidney, Victoria International Airport is Canada’s tenth busiest airport by passenger volumes and also by aircraft movements. C