The Nanaimo Airport is working hard to bring its passenger volume back to pre-2019 levels after the COVID-19 pandemic devastated the airline industry. (Nanaimo Airport YCD on Facebook)

By Jordan Davidson

airport operations

Nanaimo Airport nears pre-pandemic numbers with focus on the future

Oct 9, 2024 | 4:16 PM

NANAIMO — One of the busiest airports on Vancouver Island is still trying to catch up to its pre-pandemic passenger numbers.

A report on the Nanaimo Airport was presented by president and CEO Dave Devana during a Tuesday, Oct. 8 Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) board meeting he detailed how the COVID-19 pandemic through them for a loop.

Devana said in 2019, they were the fastest-growing airport in the country for the previous decade with a yearly passenger rate of almost 500,000, which dropped to about 170,000 the following year when COVID-19 engulfed the world.

“We’ve been trying to recover from that, and we are at about 75 per cent of our 2019 numbers….and all regional airports are at 75 per cent or less of what they were in 2019, and there’s a number of reasons for that.”

He said a lack of trained crew, an increase in retirements, a lack of plane availability, and an increase in government-imposed regulations all play a factor in smaller airports still not being back to capacity.

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Meanwhile, large international airports such as Vancouver and Toronto have already surged past 2019 passenger numbers.

Devana said they have a local catchment zone of over 300,000 passengers in the greater Nanaimo area, but their reach expands beyond that.

“We also say that 98 per cent of Vancouver Island can reach the airport in two hours and that is a parameter for airports around North America, and so our opportunities are there if we’re able to get the customers there and we are able to get the right flights.”

The Nanaimo Airport contributed approximately $70 million directly to the local economy in 2019, which includes over $44 million from the indirect impact of bringing tourists into the area.

Their total revenue in 2023 was $10.3 million, serving just over 377,000 passengers, 77 per cent of their pre-COVID numbers.

Devana said almost 70 per cent of non-aeronautical revenue generated by the airport comes from parking fees, something they want to change.

“Nobody comes out to the airport and parks unless they’re in a plane, but parking is a major player in our business at this time…our hope is that we would have passenger rail that would reduce the carbon footprint of parking, and that would also increase our aeronautical revenues because more people could get to the airport.”

The Nanaimo airport has made a number of improvements in recent years, including almost $30 million in capital project improvements announced in 2020, and resurfacing its 6,600-foot runway.

They’ve also been recognized internationally for their 2022 marketing campaign and added daily return service from Vancouver and Kelowna last year.

Devana said those improvements should be adequate for another 20 years or so.

The big projects they’re working on this year include the installation of a new runway lighting system, technology upgrades for airport signs in the terminal building, and a digital billboard along Hwy. 1.

Future land use plans include a vision to redevelop intersections north and south of the airport for improved access, leasing cargo storage space, and adding commercial businesses, all of which are still in the early planning stages.

Plans for a new Nanaimo airport terminal building are still in the early stages, with RDN board members getting a sneak peek at the Nanaimo airport’s vision for the future during their Oct. 8 meeting. (RDN/YCD airport)

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow