Powell River Airport (YPW)

Powell River’s airport is an important transportation link for the community as it is only accessible by air or water.

The airport provides service to private and commercial flights, and is also home to Oceanview Helicopters and the BC Wildfire Service. Pacific Coastal Airlines is currently the only passenger service provider, offering 30-minute flights to and from the Vancouver International Airport South Terminal, allowing residents and visitors alike to stay connected to the world.

Airport Master Plan

This Airport Master Plan provides a 25-year vision for the ultimate development of the airport. The Plan is intended to provide guidelines for future development that will satisfy aviation demand in a financially feasible manner, while resolving aviation, environmental and socio-economic issues in Powell River.

YPW Runway Rehabilitation Project

The existing runway pavement is almost 40 years old and rehabilitation and re-profiling is required to meet the latest TP312-5th Aerodrome Standards. Works planned will include pavement rehabilitation, correcting the longitudinal slope to a maximum of 1.50%, improving the transverse slopes and centreline crown to improve drainage and reduce ponding, new lighting and visual aids, and runway extension.

An application for Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP) funding for the above works was approved in October 2022. The Transport Canada ACAP provides 100% funding for local and regional airport rehabilitation projects deemed necessary to meet federal certification and safety standards. Design and tendering began in early 2023 and construction now anticipated for Spring 2024.

We acknowledge that this project will impact our community, businesses and visitors and thank you for your patience as we improve this important and critical transportation asset for our community.

We will continue to update this webpage with information throughout the Project.

Current timeline - updated March 19, 2024

• Late January 2024 – the final design for the project was received and a request for proposals for a contractor to deliver the final design specifications went live at the end of January 2024.

• The tender process ended March 5, 2024 at 2pm.

• The tenders have been reviewed and at the Special Council Meeting on Thursday March 14 at 2:30pm Council awarded the tender contract to Upland Contracting Ltd. in the amount of $6,304,598 plus GST. This amount is $1,420,929 under the grant funding available for the project’s construction and therefore, the project currently has some contingency funding should unexpected construction costs arise.

• The schedule for the works is anticipated between late March - June 15 2024.

• A full closure of the airport runway is required for an uninterrupted period limited to a maximum of 8 weeks starting April 8, 2024.

• Currently no flights will be scheduled to or from the Powell River Airport from April 8, 2024 to June 9, 2024, inclusive.

Please continue to check this page for project updates.

Reasons for timing

• Funding – The City was awarded funding for this project which could be at risk if the runway rehabilitation project is not completed this year.

• Design – Several factors impacted the design process reaching completion which resulted in a longer design process than had been envisaged. The City had to wait for the completed design to be provided before it could start the tender process to secure a contractor to complete the works with in the design specifications.

• Avoid peak travel season – A full closure would always create disruption to travel, however the aim is to avoid peak travel period for both our community and Pacific Coastal Airlines by completing the full closure portion of the project before the Summer.

• Daylight hours - By starting in March there will be more daylight hours available during the project as well as when the runway reopens should there be project delays.

Reasons for full closure rather than partial closure

• Safety – the relatively short runway and slope present challenges if displacing thresholds and shortening available runway to accommodate flights during construction.

• Efficiency – it is more efficient way to complete the project resulting in faster construction period (less downtime) and lower labour costs by avoiding night work.

• Methodology – asphalt pulverization and building up the base to adjust the runway's longitudinal slope provides complications for opening the runway during construction process – partial closure provides significant safety, cost and logistical challenges.

What alternatives are available during the full runway closure?

• Floatplane service out of the Powell Lake water drome will continue uninterrupted.

• Helicopter Services – this includes (without limitation) BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS), Oceanview Helicopters, Ministry of Forestry.

• BC Ferries

• Comox Airport

• Sunshine Coast Connector – transit between Powell River and Langdale starting April 10, 2024

Current Operating Conditions:

Hours: The airport is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The terminal building is open in accordance with Pacific Coastal's flight schedule. Access to the building is provided 2 hours prior to flight departure and 1 hour after flight arrival.

Certification: Powell River Airport is a certified airport for day and night IFR and VFR operations.

Runway: 09/27 is 3,621 feet, or 1,103.5 metres. Circuit altitude is 1,400 feet, or 427 metres ASL.

Flight Plan: Kamloops FIC (1.800.541.4101) or from the ground at 126.7 mhz.

Caution: Trees approximately 250 feet south from the runway edge at 200 feet AGL.

Night Restrictions: Only pilots familiar with the terrain should use the airport during night operations. Night operations are not recommended unless both hazard beacons are visible.

Fuel Services: Powell River Airport currently does not have fuel services.