โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
30
minutes
Domestic โ International
60
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Nanaimo Airport operates the Raymond Collishaw Air Terminal, a comprehensively expanded facility completed in February 2020 that increased terminal capacity by 60% adding 14,000 square feet, positioned 7 nautical miles south-southeast of Nanaimo on central Vancouver Island at 92 feet elevation. The $14.2-million expansion transformed passenger processing capabilities from 100 to 1,000 passengers per hour with dedicated security screening areas, while the departure lounge now accommodates over 300 passengers with expansion potential to 550, featuring floor-to-ceiling glass walls providing panoramic views of the 6,602-foot runway and surrounding mountains. Modern amenities include complimentary WiFi, device charging stations, renovated car rental counters, and enhanced passenger flow design that supports the airport's record-setting growth of 490,000 annual passengers.
The airport infrastructure centers on runway 16/34 extending 6,602 feet following a 2010 expansion that added nearly 1,600 feet to accommodate larger aircraft, complemented by three taxiways including the addition of Taxiway Charlie for improved traffic flow. High-intensity runway lighting and ILS approach capabilities on runway 16 enable year-round operations, though runway 34 remains VFR-only due to complex dogleg approach patterns around Ladysmith Harbour. Recent safety enhancements include runway grooving for improved traction and advanced winter maintenance equipment including specialized plow trucks ensuring reliable operations during Pacific coastal weather events that can bring fog, rain, and occasional snow to this maritime climate zone.
Managed by the non-profit Nanaimo Airport Commission since 1990 following transfer from Transport Canada, the facility serves as central Vancouver Island's primary aviation gateway with ambitious 20-year expansion plans envisioning a tripled terminal footprint by 2035 including customs facilities for international sun destinations. The airport's strategic importance extends beyond scheduled WestJet Encore and Air Canada Express services to Vancouver, Calgary, and Kelowna, encompassing general aviation, flight training, charter operations, and emergency medical services while maintaining port of entry status for international arrivals. Originally established as military infrastructure in 1942, the airport now drives regional economic development supporting tourism, business travel, and cargo operations that connect Vancouver Island communities to domestic and international markets through convenient connections at major Canadian hubs.
๐ Connection Tips
Nanaimo Airport (YCD), located in Cassidy about 18 kilometers south of downtown Nanaimo, serves as a stress-free and efficient gateway for central Vancouver Island. Its proximity to the Trans-Canada Highway makes it an ideal starting point for exploring the scenic Cowichan Valley or the rugged west coast of the island toward Tofino. Be mindful that the central island region can experience morning fog, particularly in the autumn and winter, which may occasionally lead to short-term flight delays. For general aviation pilots, the airport is a welcoming Port of Entry with CBSA services available for international arrivals from the United States.
Public transit is also an option, with BC Transit Route 78 stopping just a short walk from the terminal, offering a very affordable link to the city's bus network. Since the completion of its significant terminal expansion in 2020, the facility offers modern amenities including a spacious departure lounge with panoramic runway views, free high-speed Wi-Fi, and integrated charging stations. For travelers heading into Nanaimo or to the nearby ferry terminals (Departure Bay and Duke Point), the 'Nanaimo Airporter' shuttle provides a convenient door-to-door service, though it is best to book this in advance.
The terminal also features 'The Connections Cafรฉ,' which serves local snacks and beverages, perfect for a quick bite before your flight. Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber are readily available at the curb, and major car rental desks such as Budget and Hertz are located directly in the arrivals area. If you are connecting from a domestic flight to an international destination through Vancouver (YVR) or Calgary (YYC), the compact nature of YCD allows for much shorter check-in and security wait timesโtypically 90 minutes is ample for most departures.
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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