โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
30
minutes
Domestic โ International
60
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Campbell River Airport operates as Vancouver Island's northern aviation gateway positioned 4.5 nautical miles south of Campbell River at 357 feet elevation, featuring comprehensive infrastructure designed to serve diverse aviation operations from small aircraft to Boeing 737s while maintaining its designation as an Airport of Entry staffed by Canada Border Services Agency for international arrivals carrying up to 15 passengers. The recently modernized Air Terminal Building provides essential passenger amenities including commercial airline services through Pacific Coastal Airlines and Central Mountain Air, the Fuel up Cafรฉ, Budget and National car rentals, and passenger screening by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) reflecting the facility's role as a significant regional transportation hub.
The airport features exceptional runway infrastructure including a substantial 6,499-foot grooved runway (12/30) with dual parallel taxiways (Bravo and Charlie) designed to accommodate diverse aircraft operations ranging from Cessna 150s to corporate jets, with pavement load rating capabilities supporting aircraft up to 44,000 pounds while providing year-round Jet A-1 fuel services and comprehensive ground support operations. Pacific Coastal Airlines provides double daily non-stop flights to Vancouver International Airport's South Terminal with fares starting at $98 CAD one-way, while Central Mountain Air offers additional regional connections throughout British Columbia.
Operational capabilities benefit from Vancouver Island's temperate maritime climate providing generally favorable flying conditions year-round, though winter operations may encounter coastal storms, marine fog, and crosswind conditions requiring skilled piloting techniques typical of Pacific Northwest coastal aviation. The airport's strategic central Vancouver Island location enables small aircraft and helicopter operations to reach any point on the island within 1.5 hours, making it an essential hub for forestry operations, tourism access, and emergency services throughout the region.
Strategically positioned to serve northern Vancouver Island's economy and tourism development, Campbell River Airport facilitates access to world-class salmon fishing destinations, wilderness lodges, coastal recreational opportunities, and serves as a critical jumping-off point for pilots flying to Alaska via the scenic Inside Passage route. The facility exemplifies modern regional aviation infrastructure, balancing commercial passenger service, corporate aviation, general aviation activities, and international border services while supporting Vancouver Island's diverse economic sectors from forestry and tourism to outdoor recreation and resource development in one of Canada's most spectacular coastal environments.
๐ Connection Tips
Campbell River Airport serves as Vancouver Island's northern gateway, located 4.5 nautical miles south of Campbell River at 357 feet elevation with exceptional infrastructure supporting diverse aviation operations. The airport features a substantial 6,499-foot grooved runway (12/30) with dual parallel taxiways (Bravo and Charlie) designed to accommodate aircraft ranging from Cessna 150s to Boeing 737s, Globals, and Gulfstreams with a pavement load rating capable of supporting 44,000-pound aircraft. Pacific Coastal Airlines and Central Mountain Air provide scheduled commercial services connecting Campbell River with Vancouver and other British Columbia destinations.
The facility operates as an Airport of Entry staffed by Canada Border Services Agency for general aviation aircraft with up to 15 passengers, making it strategically important for international arrivals to northern Vancouver Island. Modern amenities include Jet A-1 fuel on tap, diverse aircraft parking options from grass tie-downs to commercial operational stands, and comprehensive ground support services. Weather conditions benefit from Vancouver Island's temperate maritime climate, though winter operations may encounter coastal storms, fog, and crosswinds requiring skilled piloting techniques.
The airport serves as a vital transportation hub for the region's forestry industry, tourism sector, and outdoor recreation activities including salmon fishing, wildlife viewing, and access to coastal wilderness areas. Summer months bring increased traffic from recreational pilots and charter operations accessing remote fishing lodges and coastal destinations. The facility's strategic location provides excellent connections to the Discovery Islands, mainland British Columbia fjords, and serves as a jumping-off point for pilots flying to Alaska via the Inside Passage route.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Chilko Lake (Tsylos Park Lodge) Airport (CJH), also known by its TC LID CAG3, is a specialized private aviation facility located at the north end of Chilko Lake in the Chilcotin region of British Columbia, Canada. Serving as the primary aerial gateway for the prestigious Tsylos Park Lodge, the airport acts as a critical link for international eco-tourists, fly-fishing enthusiasts, and wilderness explorers. The airfield is positioned in a dramatic mountain valley and provides a seamless entry point to one of the most remote and pristine landscapes in the Pacific Northwest.
The airport features a well-maintained 3,200-foot gravel airstrip (18/36) that is specifically designed to handle the light turboprop and piston aircraft typically used for backcountry charters. While there is no traditional passenger terminal building at the airfield itself, the 'terminal' operations are fully integrated with the nearby Tsylos Park Lodge. All guest arrivals, departures, and flight briefings are coordinated through the lodge's main reception. The facility consists of an open staging area with aircraft tie-downs and run-up pads, ensuring a functional and efficient environment for private pilots and charter crews operating in the rugged interior of BC.
Commercial services at CJH are strictly charter-based and primarily support the lodge's seasonal operations. Most travelers arrive via private aircraft or dedicated lodge charters departing from Vancouver (YVR), with the flight providing spectacular views of the Coast Mountains and the azure waters of Chilko Lake. The airport's role is fundamental to the regional wilderness economy, facilitating the movement of high-end tourists to the Chilko River, famous for its world-class grizzly bear viewing and trout fishing. Ground transportation from the airstrip is provided by the lodge's fleet of 4WD vehicles, which meet every arriving aircraft to transport guests directly to their timber-frame cabins and suites. The airfield remains a vital infrastructure asset for the sustainable development and protection of the Tsylos Provincial Park region.
๐ Connection Tips
Chilko Lake Airport (CJH) is really a lodge-access strip rather than a normal airport connection point, and that changes the whole planning model. The key operational fact is that many guests connect through Vancouver's South Terminal rather than the main YVR terminal, which means the true risk is not inside the final wilderness airstrip but in how cleanly you transition from the commercial hub to the private charter operation. That handoff should be treated like an airport transfer in its own right.
If your main flight lands at Vancouver International, build enough time to transfer to the South Terminal operation without stress. A private wilderness charter does not behave like a major-airline departure bank; if you miss it, the consequences can be much more significant than just waiting for the next flight.
At the lodge end, the airport's value is obvious: it gets you directly into a remote part of the Chilcotin where road access is long and slow. But that also means the local side is intentionally sparse. Your luggage limits, pickup, and lodge instructions matter more than terminal amenities. CJH works best when Vancouver is treated as the protected commercial hub and Chilko Lake as the final wilderness segment. The smart planning is all in the South Terminal handoff and in making sure the lodge charter is the last well-buffered step of the day.
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