Operations at Victoria International Airport

Few COPA members have the opportunity to attend local airport authority meetings to learn how their airport operates, or its concerns. 

Since the inception of the Victoria Airport Authority’s consultative committee I have represented the interests of COPA when meetings have coincided with my being home. This airport operates quite well as far as general aviation is concerned and is very busy with the mix of airline, float flying and other GA operations. 

At the Victoria COPA meetings we regularly invite guest speakers such as NavCanada tower personnel, Transport Enforcement inspectors, AME’s and flying club management so we can exchange values and concerns. I hope to be able to have an airport authority manager in the future to exchange ideas of mutual concern.

Hopefully my abbreviated version of the recent minutes will provide some insights into some of the considerations facing our local authority and enable us to work better together to support the diverse activities at Victoria. 

In the financial portion of the report it is noted that income exceeded the budget by 3/4 of million dollars. While the authority attributes this to increased aircraft landing fees and parking lot revenues I would suggest the increased user fees for passengers has a lot to do with that revenue. Perhaps it’s time to reduce that fee which is buried in constantly increasing airfares.

Call to order

Mervyn Lougher-Goodey, Vice Chair of the Victoria Airport Authority Board, acted as the Chair of the meeting, and Paul Connolly acted as Recording Secretary.

Public participation period

Milton Armstrong, local resident, complimented Victoria Airport Authority on their diligent staff. He stated he had made an enquiry about low aircraft activity over the Sidney waterfront; VAA staff investigated, determined the reason for the unusual activity and promptly returned his call.

Report from the VAA Chair - Rent

Linda Petch reported Victoria Airport Authority (VAA) signed an amendment – Article 4, Rent to the Ground Lease with Transport Canada. The amendment solidified the new rent structure for airports. Transport Canada estimates that the VAA would have paid $1.8M in 2010 versus $400,000 under the new formula. 

VAA has been working on resolving the rent issue since 1998. Linda Petch thanked the Committee members and the many community leaders in Victoria who joined with VAA and helped with this resolution.

Canada Airports Act

The Canada Airports Act was ready for introduction to Parliament when the federal election was called. With a new government in learning mode and focused on other issues it is doubtful the CAA will be tabled in 2006. However, if the CAA is introduced and the form of the Act changes the VAA can express any reservations it has to the local MP, Federal Cabinet Minister Gary Lunn. 

The VAA has met with Gary Lunn on several occasions so he will be an informed voice at the Cabinet Table.

Development

Growth continues at Victoria International Airport; a new record was set in 2005 with 1,318,000 passengers. The expansion of the terminal building will be completed by the end of May 2006 and parking facilities by the end of September 2006.

One of the major projects of the VAA in 2006 is the adoption of a new Master Plan. VAA also plans to exert political influence at the Provincial level to begin construction on the McTavish / Pat Bay Highway Interchange.

Report from the Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee

The Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee, Bob Skene, presented Preliminary Unaudited Statements of Income and Expenses, and Balance Sheet for the Operations and AIF Sectors for year ended December 2005.

The Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee stated the Balance Sheet shows a positive working capital of approximately $6 million. Much of the funds will be spent on the expansion to the public parking lot.

Long term debt is approximately $14 million which is related to the expansion of the terminal building. Net income is $749,000 ahead of budget. Much of the increase in revenue comes from the parking lot and airline revenue primarily because of the increase in the number of passengers using Airport facilities.

There were no questions on the financial report to the Committee.

ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATE

Reay Creek Action Plan

VAA continues to sample and test water quality weekly. In October 2005 VAA hired Seacor Environmental Inc. to complete an Environmental Audit and Threat Assessment of the airport’s land tenants. All Report recommendations were implemented by Jan. 31, 2006.

VAA has set up a Reay Creek Technical Working Group (a sub committee of VAA’s Environmental Management Committee) to review and assess contamination and plan remediation.  At the first meeting held Jan. 12, 2006 Transport Canada announced that they have secured federal funding from Environment Canada to undertake a full environmental assessment of the airport sections of Reay Creek including an analysis of the contaminated sediments and potential restoration measures.  The study is scheduled to start May 15 and be completed by

Sept. 15, 2006. 

VAA’s Environmental Farm Plan was completed Dec. 15 2005.  Although VAA is not directly involved in agricultural activities, the Plan encompasses all agricultural activities on airport land leased to Pendray Farms Ltd.

VAA hired a dedicated Environmental Officer with professional training.

The development of a formal comprehensive Environmental Management Systems (EMS) program for VAA is currently underway. 

AIRCRAFT NOISE

Good news: WestJet has retired their 737-200 series aircraft - all the old noisy aircraft are gone. WestJet now has the newest fleet in North America; the average age of their aircraft is under two years.  As a result there has been a significant long term reduction in the level of aircraft noise, particularly over Sidney.

AIR SERVICE UPDATE

Air Canada has maintained their A320 flight to Toronto on a year round basis. They have added two A319 jet flights to Vancouver daily. Air Canada Jazz has three RJ-50 seat jets between Victoria and Calgary daily, as well as 14 flights daily to Vancouver.

Pacific Coastal continues to serve the south terminal in Vancouver with six flights on weekdays.

Horizon Air offers six flights daily between Victoria and Seattle, WA.

WestJet offers six daily flights to their direct markets of Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna from Victoria. WestJet also offers service to Mexico five times a week on behalf of Air Transat Holidays. These Mexico flights continue until the end of March.

Harmony Airways operates one weekly flight to Honolulu until April 18.

Skyservice Airlines operates twice weekly flights to Mexico. These flights operate until the end of March.

Airspeed Aviation continues its service to Abbotsford with thirteen flights per week, operating Monday-Friday.

VAA continues to pursue interest in non-stop service including a secondary flight to Toronto, flights to Los Angeles and a weekly, summer flight to London England.

TENANT DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

VAA has negotiated an expansion to the Viscount Flight Center to accommodate two large aircraft hangars and an expanded office facility. The development will also include a new restaurant on the second floor of the current office facility.

AIR TERMINAL BUILDING (ATB) UPDATE

- ATB departures expansion and renovation project on time and on budget

$12.7 million less CATSA’s portion $3.8 million.

- The most up-to-date in technology CUSS (Common Use Self Serve) kiosks have arrived and will be installed this week.

- All airlines are operating from their new space except for a couple of temporary offices located in the main departures area which will be dismantled soon.

- 100% of checked baggage being screened.

- Final piece of last stage of the expansion project is now underway, completion May 2006.

- Two shear walls for seismic protection are under construction as part of VAA’s program to bring the entire terminal building up to seismic code requirements.

- Plans are proceeding to improve food and beverage service.

PARKING LOT

- The public parking lot expansion project, adding 575 spaces, is under way. The project incorporates an environmentally friendly approach to rainwater management. Part of the expansion was temporarily opened at Christmas to accommodate overflow – filling the 175 spaces, with the balance over 200 vehicles parked on the road.

2006 CAPITAL BUDGET

Capital projects of general interest to be undertaken in 2006 are:

- Finish Air Terminal Building

- Expand parking and realign the terminal building access road

- Construct a car rental service facility

- Improve food and beverage services

- Improve landscaping in front of the terminal building

- Update the Master Plan

- Security improvements including CCTV (Closed Circuit TV) & anti-piggybacking devices

- Airfield pavements rehabilitation

- Airfield electrical upgrades

- Replace fire truck

QUESTIONS/COMMENTS

- In reference to an Environmental Baseline Study undertaken by Transport Canada at the time of transfer of the Airport to the Victoria Airport Authority, Graham Ross asked if Transport Canada commented at that time on contaminated sediment in Reay Creek.  Richard Paquette stated Transport Canada did not specifically acknowledge contamination in the Creek; however, Transport Canada has accepted responsibility for other contaminated sites on Airport lands.  They cleaned-up the de-commissioned fuel depot as well as removing lead contaminated soil at the WW II rifle range.  Depending on the Technical Review Study of Reay Creek, the CEO is confident Transport Canada will do its part to with respect to any necessary sediment remediation in Reay Creek.

- Sheila Irving, local resident, asked if the new parking lot surface would be permeable. The CEO stated planning for the parking lot included a review of options including a porous surface; however, it was ruled out as not viable or practical for a number of reasons including customer service because of personal apparel like high heel shoes, baggage on rollers and baggage carts, as well as the clay soil on the Airport.

- Alice Finall, local resident, asked if the expanded parking lot provides ample parking spaces for the foreseeable future, even during peak periods.  The CEO said it is a significant expansion; however, if passenger traffic continues to grow above forecast VAA will have to implement contingency plans to provide temporary parking at peak periods.

- Milton Armstrong, local resident, commented on the issue of aircraft noise:

Good news that WestJet retired their old 737’s and now have the newest aircraft fleet in North America which will lessen the noise impact over the community.

The seaplanes flying north/south on the Peninsula are noisy but not connected directly with Victoria International Airport (VIA). He appreciates VAA’s efforts in bringing the parties together to help resolve the issue.

DND helicopter training is the cost of freedom and security.

Two fighter jets heard early this morning were loud. It was confirmed subsequent to this meeting the early morning jet activity is not routine, most military jet activity is confined to daytime operations.

- Milton Armstrong asked if VAA has spoken with Gary Lunn, the new Minister of Natural Resources.  The CEO stated VAA has met with Mr. Lunn on a number of occasions but not since the recent election.  It is a benefit to have an MP representing the riding in which the Airport is located in the federal cabinet.

- Bob Jones, Councillor, Town of Sidney, asked about the operations of the Purolator Jet. The CEO stated because their B727 jet, although noisy, does comply with Transport Canada regulations there is nothing that can be done.  The jet takes off on average 4 times a week.

- There was a question from a land tenant about the noise level of the private Lear Jet based at YYJ.  The CEO acknowledged it is noisy; however, it does comply with Transport Canada regulations.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

- VAA’s AGM is at 7:00 pm, Thursday, May 4, 2006 at the Mary Winspear Centre at Sanscha.

- The date for the next Airport Consultative Committee meeting is Tuesday, October 24, 2006, 8:30 am at the Mary Winspear Centre at Sanscha.

Readers wishing to access further information including the newsletter and annual reports can visit the Victoria Airport Authority website at:  www.victoriaairport.com

Ken is a former COPA director who lives in Victoria, BC. He provides services internationally in advanced training, expert witness, flight test and aircraft sales. He has logged 15,000 hours on 375 types of fixed wing and rotary aircraft. Soaring his Diamond Xtreme is what he does for pleasure.