The West Kootenay Regional Airport in Castlegar has received the prestigious William Templeton Airport Award from the British Columbia Aviation Council for its innovative approach to reliability and growth.
This award recognizes exceptional initiative and achievement in the successful development of a community airport.
It highlights the commitment in City Council’s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan to grow and improve services at the West Kootenay Regional Airport, the significant progress in infrastructure development, and the strategic focus on enhancing passenger experience, transforming the West Kootenay Regional Airport into a regional travel hub.
“Winning this award reflects the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in making the West Kootenay Regional Airport a success,” said Mayor Maria McFaddin.
“We’ve done a lot of work for our terminal expansion; we have expanded our apron so now we can handle more than one flight at a certain time.”
“We have put a lot of energy and money and time into an RNP. What that really means is it will increase our reliability in the winter dramatically. Approximately 75 per cent of our flights that are currently canceled in the winter will not be canceled.”
“This will change the landscape for not only Castlegar but the region for things like medical care and economic development.”
Over the past couple of years, the West Kootenay Regional Airport has undertaken several projects that contributed to this achievement:
Air Canada Flight Disruption Shuttle: Air Canada Flight Disruption Shuttle: In 2023, Air Canada introduced a pilot project to provide a shuttle as an alternative travel solution for passengers affected by weather-related flight cancellations, ensuring continued travel options through Kelowna. Due to its success in serving over 1,300 passengers and increasing journey completion rate to 90%, Air Canada has extended the service until April 30, 2025. This is the only service of its kind within Air Canada’s network and represents its strong commitment to providing dependable options for the region.
Improved Reliability: The Airport is making steady progress toward implementing a Required Navigational Performance (RNP) approach, which will enhance flight accessibility and reduce cancellations by enabling aircraft to navigate precise GPS-guided flight paths. Transport Canada has signalled its intent to move forward and is actively engaged in the review process. Once in place, the RNP solution will reduce cancellations caused by river and valley fog, increase successful landings, and support the airport’s long-term growth.
Terminal Building Expansion: The Airport received a $6 million grant from the Union of BC Municipalities to support the expansion of the Terminal Building, which will increase terminal capacity and enhance the passenger experience by providing a modern, welcoming environment inspired by the natural beauty and character of the West Kootenay. In 2025, the airport will begin seeking an architectural designer to develop detailed plans for the project.
Runway Solar LED Project: The Airport installed solar LED runway edge lights, funded by a $500,000 grant from the British Columbia Air Access Program, to enhance pilot visibility and safety.
Apron Expansion and Rehabilitation: The Apron Rehabilitation and Taxiway Extension project, supported by $4.016 million in combined funding from Transport Canada’s Airport Capital Assistance Program and the British Columbia Air Access Program, involved significant upgrades to the airport’s apron and operational areas. These upgrades have enhanced operational capacity by accommodating larger aircraft, increasing overall capacity, and enabling simultaneous aircraft operations. These improvements are essential for supporting regional growth and allowing the airport to better serve the needs of the community and the region.
Fleet Renewal: The Airport invested in a state-of-the-art snow plow and new fleet vehicles to enhance year-round operational efficiency, improve safety during winter conditions, and support ongoing regulatory compliance.
Passenger Experience: The Airport is currently surveying passengers as part of the internationally recognized Airport Service Quality Passenger Experience Survey administered by Airports Council International. This is the industry standard for benchmarking customer satisfaction, with approximately 350 participating airports worldwide. The feedback gathered will allow the Airport to identify areas for improvement and guide the design and development of the upcoming terminal expansion, ensuring that future infrastructure aligns with passenger needs and expectations. The survey data will also help the airport enhance overall services, providing travellers with a modern and welcoming experience.
Building Strong Partnerships: The West Kootenay Regional Airport continues to foster strong community partnerships and expand its role as a hub for regional and essential services.
This includes:
- Kootenay Emergency Response Physicians Association (KERPA) recently established a base at the airport, housing their emergency response vehicle on-site. This presence enhances KERPA’s ability to respond swiftly to regional emergencies, contributing to critical health and safety efforts.
- The Southeast Fire Centre, a long-time Airport tenant, has recently renewed its commitment to continue housing its operations at the airport. With increased wildfire activity in recent years, this partnership is vital in supporting emergency coordination and wildfire response. The continued presence of the Southeast Fire Centre strengthens regional emergency preparedness, benefiting the community and the broader region.
- The City leased property adjacent to the Airport to Kalesnikoff Mass Timber to construct a new mass timber facility. This forward-thinking approach unlocks new economic opportunities, brings jobs to Castlegar, supports local industry growth, and further strengthens Castlegar’s connection to regional business.
“Receiving the William Templeton Award is a tremendous honour,” said Maciej Habrych, Airport Manager.
“It reflects the hard work and dedication of everyone who has contributed to the airport’s growth and success. With the continued advancement of the RNP approach and the upcoming Terminal Building Expansion, the airport is well-positioned to strengthen its role in connecting the community, supporting local growth, and enhancing travel options.”
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