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Airport planning for Comox Air Show logistics

With a possible 30,000 people coming to the Comox Air Show, the airport plans to ensure commercial passengers can get in and out smoothly.
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IT WON'T BE long before the sky over the Comox Valley will be full of amazing aeronautical feats.

With a possible 30,000 people descending around 19 Wing Comox, the Comox Valley Airport has a plan in place to ensure commercial passengers can get in and out of Comox smoothly.

"We've definitely learned some good lessons from the last air show," explained Fred Bigelow, CEO of the Comox Valley Airport Commission. "The regularly scheduled flights are all going to go ahead as planned."

Bigelow explained as part of the Comox Air Show, which is scheduled for Aug. 17 from 9 to 5 p.m., a section of the airfield will be shut down to accommodate spectators and visiting aircraft.

The parking lot area where attendees will be able to park will be located behind the terminal — around the area currently occupied by commercial aircraft for loading and unloading of passengers and cargo.

Bigelow said on Aug. 16, 17, and 18 (if needed), passengers, after clearing security, will be bused from the boarding area to their planes, which will be located closer to a 19 Wing aircraft hangar.

Because of the extra time needed to bus passengers to and from their flights and to compensate for any traffic delays, Bigelow said passengers should arrive at least two hours ahead of time for any WestJet flight, and at least 1.5 hours ahead for Central Mountain Air or Pacific Coastal flights.

On the day of the air show, the terminal building will be accessed via Military Row during the show, and the entrance will be clearly marked, he added.

A special route via Ryan Road and Military Row has been designated for anyone needing to access the airport terminal during this time.

"RCMP will be there, and the base will provide flaggers to help with the flow of traffic," Bigelow said.

A special YQQ Airport access pass is also available for download from the airport's website. The pass is available for passengers to print and display it on their windshield on the day of the show so that traffic controllers at Anderton and Ryan Road will not stop the vehicles, he explained.

Bigelow added passengers should continually monitor the website for the most up-to-date information during the air show weekend.

"Plan for extra time — double or triple check the flight times online."

For more information on travelling from the airport or to print up the pass, visit www.comoxairport.com. For more information on the Comox Air Show, visit www.comoxairshow.ca.

photos@comoxvalleyrecord.com

 



Erin Haluschak

About the Author: Erin Haluschak

Erin Haluschak is a journalist with the Comox Valley Record since 2008. She is also the editor of Trio Magazine...
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