Boasted as the 18th busiest airport in Canada, with approximately 500,000 passengers served annually, the Abbotsford International Airport (YXX) contributes to the unique “City in the Country” flavor our community has enjoyed for years. Since opening its doors in 1943, YXX has grown leaps and bounds and continues to as it moves forward, establishing itself as a hub in the Lower Mainland.
The formation of the Abbotsford Airport Authority, following the transfer from federal ownership to the City of Abbotsford in 1997, ensured the airport was established as a business. “Abbotsford Airport has seen tremendous growth over the years, and with over 75 million reinvested back into the infrastructure at YXX since 1997, we forsee even more growth in the years to come” said Dave Holmberg, Chair of the Abbotsford Airport Authority. “We owe this success to the professional working relationships with all the stakeholders and partners involved at YXX.”
Parm Sidhu, Abbotsford International Airport- General Manager, stressed the success of the airport, as a business hub and economic generator, is a direct result of the solid partnerships built with airport stakeholders, including West Jet, Air Canada rouge, Cascade Aerospace, Shell Aero Centre, Conair Aviation, Campbell Helicopters, Alpine Aerotech, and Sequoia Helicopters. The Abbotsford Airport is also home to training facilities such as CP Advance Flight, Coastal Pacific Aviation, the University of the Fraser Valley, and Chinook Helicopters (a premier North America helicopter school that produces approximately 25% of Canadian helicopter licenses). The airport is continuing to expand, fostering new partnerships: “We have several new developments underway at YXX, and the future is looking very promising, the airport is like a diamond in the rough” said Mayor Henry Braun.
Abbotsford International Airport (YXX), recently dropped the Airport Improvement Fee by 50% and eliminated fees for aircraft parking, bridge use, and baggage handling, a move applauded by WestJet. “Abbotsford (Airport) and WestJet have been partners since 1997, and we see the recently announced fee drops at the airport as an opportunity to further build service in the area.” said Gregg Saretsky, WestJet President and CEO. “We need more airport authorities across Canada to think like Abbotsford.”
Described as the airport in the middle of everywhere, the Abbotsford Airport is a convenient point of origin to many destinations- soon to include Las Vegas! Access to Highway #1 paired with decreased expenses, increased parking facilities, and speedy security and screening, make the Abbotsford International Airport a popular choice for commercial flight go-ers. With ample room to expand, there is much more to come at the Abbotsford International Airport.
