A $55 million terminal expansion at Nanaimo Airport will keep the regional facility in growth mode through the mid-2030’s, according to the Nanaimo Airport Commission.

 

The airport’s existing 24,000 square foot terminal will nearly triple in size to just over 70,000 square feet once the expansion project is completed, although full build-out of the Commission’s vision could take two decades to materialize.

 

Work on the first expansion phase will commence this spring and incorporate improvements to the passenger terminal and grow its size by 14,000 square feet. The security screening area and the airport’s car rental kiosks will also be modernized.

 

 

An artist's rendering of Nanaimo Airport's modernized departures area.  Office of McFarlane Biggar / Nanaimo Airport Commission

An artist's rendering of Nanaimo Airport's modernized passenger terminal.  Office of McFarlane Biggar / Nanaimo Airport Commission

 

As part of its description of the airport expansion project, project architect Office of McFarlane Biggar describes the expanded terminal as creating a “foundation for more connecting flights to destinations around the world,” and leading to Nanaimo Airport’s future role as “the airport of choice for Central Vancouver Island.”

 

Nanaimo Airport is Vancouver Island’s third busiest by passenger count with approximately 360,000 travellers having passed through its gates in 2017. The Island’s second busiest airport is Comox Airport with a 2017 passenger count of just under 370,000. Victoria International is the primary aviation facility on the Island with annual passenger volumes of two million. It too is embarking on a significant terminal expansion that begins this winter and is expected to continue through mid-2020. C