โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Portage-la-Prairie / Southport Airport serves Manitoba's wheat heartland from the historic RCAF Station opened December 1940 for Commonwealth Air Training Plan operations that trained thousands of Allied pilots during World War II, initially delayed when construction problems forced No. 14 Elementary Flying Training School to establish at Winnipeg's Stevenson Field before moving here December 4, 1940. Built by Claydon Construction for $450,000 under Assistant Engineer E.H. Fleishman, this facility operated 25 de Havilland Tiger Moths through Central Manitoba Flying Training School Limitedโa Winnipeg Flying Club charterโuntil July 3, 1942, when operations transferred to Assiniboia allowing No. 7 Air Observers School to expand across the entire site.
The airport features infrastructure evolved from wartime facilities including the original double-hangar (224 x 160 feet), standard hangar, and twelve buildings supporting AOS training where pupils underwent 12-week regimens in air navigation, aerial photography, reconnaissance, observation, mapping, and description beginning April 28, 1941. Terminal facilities now serve Southport Aerospace Centre Inc.'s commercial-industrial operations after military cutbacks closed CFB Portage la Prairie in September 1992, transforming from NATO pilot training center (1950s) through Canadian Forces base (1966) to modern civilian aerospace hub.
Operational characteristics center on diverse aviation activities from agricultural operations supporting surrounding wheat farms to aerospace training and commercial services, utilizing the strategic location in Manitoba's agricultural corridor where prairie wheat production sustains the regional economy. The facility handles general aviation, charter operations, aerospace education through 3CFFTS (3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School) contract training, and industrial operations supporting both agricultural and aerospace sectors throughout south-central Manitoba.
Strategic importance encompasses preserving the legacy of Commonwealth Air Training Plan operations that made Canada the 'Aerodrome of Democracy' training 131,553 aircrew including 49,808 pilots from Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and Allied nations, maintaining aviation connectivity for Portage la Prairie's 13,000 residents in Manitoba's agricultural heartland, supporting modern aerospace industry development through Southport Aerospace Centre's transformation of military infrastructure for civilian innovation, and honoring the memory of young airmen who trained here before facing combat skies over Europe where many never returned to see Manitoba's golden wheat fields again.
๐ Connection Tips
Portage la Prairie Southport Airport operates as a major commercial-industrial aviation center in Manitoba, built on the foundation of the former Canadian Forces Base Portage la Prairie. The airport's strategic location between Winnipeg and Saskatchewan makes it ideal for fuel stops and training operations. The facility's transition from military to civilian use maintains sophisticated infrastructure supporting flight training, cargo operations, and general aviation activities. Specific apron management requires careful attention: no itinerant aircraft on Apron I, with itinerant aircraft parking south of Hangar 5 on Apron II, while jet and large aircraft use the concrete pad on Apron II's south side.
The airport serves at 884 feet elevation within the Winnipeg Flight Information Region, requiring coordination with Winnipeg Center for traffic management. The facility features four runways (2/20, 9/27, 13L/31R, and 13R/31L) with Runway 09/27 weight-restricted to 15,500 pounds, providing versatility for various aircraft operations. Industrial tenants provide maintenance, avionics, and specialized aviation services. Ground transportation to Portage la Prairie requires advance planning, with rental cars and taxi services available but limited on weekends.
Light aircraft utilize tie-downs on Apron II's north side. Weather planning relies on Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport METAR, located 40 nautical miles away, due to the absence of local weather reporting. Southport Aerospace Centre Inc. manages the airport with operational hours 14-24Z excluding holidays, offering overtime service by NOTAM. Winter operations require careful planning due to Manitoba's harsh conditions, with snow removal prioritized on active runways based on operational requirements.
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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