The Comox Valley is well connected.
That was the message around the Comox Valley Airport Friday, as the inaugural twice-daily Air Canada flight landed from Vancouver.
“It’s a big day. When you think of Air Canada, you think of 190 destinations spread over five continents; that’s big. And now Comox is indeed one of those destinations - we couldn’t be happier,” explained airport CEO Fred Bigelow during a celebration at the terminal building. “Passengers can enjoy the convenience of checking in for their flight at our airport and then seamlessly connect to destinations in Asia, Australia, Europe and across North America, all on the same ticket.”
The flight – a 50-seat, Dash-8 – was greeted by members of local governments and welcomed by Vancouver Island North MP John Duncan along with Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification Michelle Rempel, who came to the Valley for a funding announcement for the Aboriginal Tourism Association of B.C.
“As we see the expansion of the western Canadian economy, a lot of airports like this are being hubs for regional economic development. When major carriers like Air Canada decide to add a route here, it means additional access into the area for businesses, for business travellers, as well as for tourism,” Rempel said.
The flights, noted Bigelow, allow for more than 20 connections through the Air Canada network coming out of Comox, either domestically or leisure destinations, as well as Asia.
He added travellers can now also use Aeroplan points to redeem for flights out of Comox as well as collect miles for travel.
The flights are scheduled to leave Vancouver at 8:55 a.m., arriving in Comox at 9:35 a.m., with a flight departing Comox at 9:55 a.m. An afternoon flight is scheduled to depart Vancouver at 4:25 p.m., and depart Comox at 5:35 p.m.