Vancouver Airspace Modernization

The airspace in and around the Greater Vancouver Region and Southern Vancouver Island is utilized by a large mix of operators including major domestic and international airlines, regional and commuter passenger transport, general aviation and flight training, floatplanes, para-drop, sightseeing/photography and helicopter operations.

Most of these operations are based out of several airports/aerodromes located in a 50 nautical mile radius, including Vancouver International (CYVR), Victoria International (CYYJ), Pitt Meadows (CYPK), Boundary Bay Airport (CZBB), Langley Regional Airport (CYNJ), Abbotsford International Airport (CYXX), Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre (CYHC), Victoria Inner Harbour Airport (CYWH), Nanaimo Airport (CYCD) and Bellingham International Airport (KBLI). In addition to this complex mix of operations, the airspace has experienced significant growth in traffic over the last five years.

As a result, the goals of the project will be to develop concept of operations options that:

• ensure the continued safety of operations in anticipation of further growth through improved airspace structure and procedures,
• reduce the environmental impacts of aircraft operations, including greenhouse gas emissions and community noise exposure,
• modernize the airspace system through such tools as Performance Based Navigation,
• balance the needs of stakeholder groups and reduce constraints where possible, and
• seek alignment with long-term plans at the region’s airports and operators.