2013 was a big year for the Nanaimo Airport, with a 20 per cent jump in passengers.
CEO Mike Hooper says a lot of that was because of the new direct flights to Calgary. He says the number of passengers using that flight continues to increase and it’s also had a positive effect on the flight that goes from Nanaimo to Vancouver. Hooper says that route has also seen record numbers.
Hooper says for 2014 plans are in the works to add a direct flight to Seattle within the first 6 months of 2014. He also says they’re looking at establishing a full time fire department at the airfield. Currently the airport works with local volunteer fire departments. The Cranberry Fire Department was among the first responders called out for an emergency landing earlier this month.
