โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Comox Valley Airport operates as a unique joint military-civilian facility sharing airfield infrastructure with Canadian Forces Base Comox (19 Wing), established when the RAF built this strategic location in spring 1942 to guard against Japanese threats before the RCAF assumed control on May 1, 1943, transforming it into one of Canada's most significant maritime defense installations. Located 2.5 nautical miles northeast of Comox on Vancouver Island, this dual-use facility combines civilian terminal operations managed by the Comox Valley Airport Commission with military operations housing CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraftโone of only two Canadian bases operating these advanced anti-submarine and surveillance platforms.
The airport features parallel military and civilian infrastructure supporting WestJet and Pacific Coastal Airlines scheduled services to Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton, while military operations include 407 Long Range Patrol Squadron (CP-140 Aurora), 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron (CC-295 Kingfisher and CH-149 Cormorant), and 418 Search and Rescue Operational Training Squadron covering Search and Rescue Region Victoria from the BC-Washington border to Yukon and 1,200 kilometers into the Pacific. Civilian terminal facilities include On the Fly Cafรฉ, Compass Gallery + Gifts, bike repair stations, and e-bike rentals catering to Vancouver Island's outdoor recreation culture.
Operational characteristics center on balancing commercial aviation with critical military missions including coastal patrol, anti-submarine warfare, and search-and-rescue operations coordinated through the Canadian Forces School of Search and Rescue where all Canadian SAR Technicians train. Weather challenges include dense Georgia Strait fog and Pacific winter storms affecting both civilian and military operations, while the facility's airport-of-entry status requires enhanced security procedures reflecting its dual civilian-military nature and strategic importance.
Strategic importance encompasses defending Canada's Pacific approaches through advanced maritime surveillance capabilities developed over eight decades of coastal defense evolution, training elite search-and-rescue specialists protecting vast wilderness areas from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, supporting Vancouver Island's growing tourism and resource industries through reliable commercial air service, and maintaining operational readiness at this critical link in North American aerospace defense where civilian convenience meets national security imperatives on one of the continent's most strategically positioned airfields.
๐ Connection Tips
Comox Valley Airport operates as a unique joint military-civilian facility on Vancouver Island, sharing airfield infrastructure with Canadian Forces Base Comox, home to 19 Wing's maritime patrol and search-and-rescue operations. The civilian terminal, managed by the Comox Valley Airport Commission, handles scheduled flights primarily via WestJet and Pacific Coastal Airlines to Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton, with Air Canada Express providing additional regional connectivity. As both an airport of entry and military installation, security procedures may be more thorough than typical regional airports, so allow extra time for check-in and screening.
The airport's strategic Pacific coast location makes it vulnerable to weather disruptions, particularly winter storms and dense fog rolling in from Georgia Strait, which can cause delays or diversions. Ground transportation options include rental cars from the terminal, taxi services to Courtenay and Comox, and the Valley Connector bus system linking the airport to Campbell River and other island communities. The facility's dual military-civilian nature means occasional restrictions during military exercises or VIP movements, though commercial operations typically continue with minimal disruption.
On-site amenities include On the Fly Cafรฉ for dining and Compass Gallery + Gifts for last-minute purchases, plus unique features like a bike repair station and EVOLVE e-bike rentals catering to Vancouver Island's outdoor recreation culture. The airport's proximity to CFB Comox's maritime patrol aircraft operations provides an interesting aviation backdrop but also means noise levels can be higher than typical regional airports. Winter travelers should note that while the island climate is milder than mainland BC, sudden weather changes can still impact flight schedules, particularly for smaller aircraft serving remote island communities.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
60
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Conklin (Leismer) Airport (CFM), also identified by its ICAO code CET2, is a registered aerodrome located in Alberta, Canada. This airport plays a crucial role in supporting the region's oil and gas industry, particularly for operations related to the Leismer oil sands project. Primarily serving charter and private flights, it facilitates the transport of personnel and supplies to and from remote work sites, contributing significantly to the logistical network of Northern Alberta's energy sector.
As a small airport without scheduled commercial service, CFM does not feature a traditional passenger terminal with extensive retail or dining options. However, it does operate a Fixed-Base Operator (FBO) named Leismer Aerodrome Ltd., which provides essential amenities and services. These FBO services typically include a pilot lounge, a flight planning area, and potentially basic comforts like free coffee. While detailed specifics on passenger facilities are limited, the focus is on efficient processing and support for general and corporate aviation movements.
Operational aspects at Conklin (Leismer) Airport include a paved runway, designated 09/27, measuring 5251 feet in length, equipped with an Omni-Directional Approach Lighting System. Fuel (JA-1) is available on-site. The airport operates under Prior Permission Required (PPR) conditions, meaning users must obtain permission before landing. Communication is managed via an Aerodrome Traffic Frequency (ATF) / UNICOM, and a Peripheral Station (PAL) Edmonton Center frequency. These operational details highlight its role as a specialized aviation facility catering to the specific needs of the region's industrial activities.
๐ Connection Tips
Conklin (Leismer) Airport (CFM) is a private industrial aerodrome rather than a public passenger airport, so connection planning here belongs entirely in the realm of company logistics. If your trip involves CFM, the practical hub is Edmonton or Calgary, and the final movement to Leismer is a controlled charter or project flight, not a normal airline transfer. That means no meaningful airline-style recovery exists at the airfield itself if timing changes.
The main implication is simple: protect the commercial itinerary at YEG or YYC and treat the Conklin segment as the last, highly specific movement of the day. If a worker transfer, contractor rotation, or project charter is involved, confirm the departure details through the operations team rather than assuming public flight patterns or airport services. This is a site-support airfield, so the schedule is driven by project needs, not by general passenger convenience.
On arrival, the airport process is part of corporate access control, not casual landside movement. You should already know who is meeting you, what transport is taking you to camp or site, and how the plan changes if the inbound airline is late. CFM works best when the whole trip is stitched together before departure: commercial hub protected, company charter confirmed, local transfer assigned, and enough buffer in Alberta that a late inbound does not break the only workable connection to the project airfield.
โ Back to Comox Valley Airport / CFB Comox