Victoria International Airport

Travelers that want to reach Victoria International Airport in a timely manner need to consider their travel budget before hitting the road. The most cost effective method for tourists on a tight budget is the use of BC Transit, which has a route devoted to the area surrounding Victoria International Airport. The Route 70 bus is relatively clean, inexpensive, and keeps to a fixed schedule for tourists concerned about reaching the airport on time.

A pair of taxi and shuttle services that set up shop in front of Victoria International Airport allows passengers to reach their hotel. AKAL Airport Shuttle offers hourly bus services to several destinations on Vancouver without the discomfort of the public bus. You can also hail a traditional taxi through Yellow Cab of Victoria if you need to reach a destination off the beaten path.

Tourists that want to find their own way on Vancouver Island can use one of several rental car companies available in the airport. You can access Budget, Hertz, Avis, and National rental car offerings within the main terminal of Victoria International Airport. Your options increase if you take a shuttle ride a few minutes from the airport. Rental car companies like Thrifty and Enterprise provide affordable vehicles at lots away from the airport.

Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303

Several airlines that serve the west coast of the United States and the entirety of Canada fly into Victoria International Airport. The most prominent airline that flies into British Columbia is Air Canada due to the high number of flights from Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal to this west coast hub. The airline's subsidiary Air Canada Jazz provides regional service to Calgary and Edmonton for Canadian residents that need to get to central provinces. You can access multiple daily flights to Canadian hubs through the Air Canada desk at Victoria International Airport.

Your aviation needs may require specialized services to and from Victoria International Airport. Airspeed Aviation provides corporate charters from Vancouver Island to several destinations in British Columbia. The diverse services provided by Pacific Coast Airlines allow a tourist to charter a flight to one of six airports in the region and a business person to charter a flight while their products are shipped via cargo plane. You can also find comprehensive services in British Columbia through Craig Air headquartered in Victoria International Airport.

There are a limited number of international flights to the United States and Mexico through Victoria International Airport. Delta Airlines runs flights from Vancouver to Salt Lake City and back through subsidiary SkyWest. Spring breakers and professionals in need of a break from Canadian winters can use Air Transat and Skyservice to reach Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. Flights on Alaska Airlines into Seattle and Anchorage can be scheduled through Victoria International Airport.

Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303

Travel weary tourists and business people in need of vital services in Vancouver Island do not need to leave the arrivals area of Victoria International Airport. The airport is staffed by volunteers and employees called Red Coat Airport Ambassadors that are trained to assist travelers in a number of ways. You can access the assistance of a Red Coat Ambassador by walking to the information desk located adjacent to the rental car area.

You can prepare to leave the airport for your travels in Vancouver Island, British Columbia and Canada in general in a number of ways. The airport recognizes the ecologically conscious residents of Vancouver by providing a bicycle assembly station near the short-term parking lot. This station features air pumps, storage, and work benches for Vancouver residents and travelers that need to take apart and build their favorite bicycle.

Tourists entering Vancouver Island can utilize ICE Currency Services at Victoria International Airport to convert their native currency into Canadian dollars. If you are in need of a quick transfer from your bank account, you can utilize the airport's wireless Internet access by opening your Web browser. These services are ideal for busy business travelers that need to get ready for a meeting after a long distance flight.

Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303

The relatively small size of Victoria International Airport's terminal means that dining and shopping are limited to the bare essentials. The mainstay of any international airport is the duty-free shop located in the main terminal. Your travels through Victoria International Airport will take you past a duty-free shop with magazines, clothing, and souvenirs prior to the security checkpoint. This store is more substantial than the post-security duty-free stand due to the necessity of security officers to inspect gift bags. You should limit your purchases to necessities unless you find a souvenir not available elsewhere during your travels.

There are a number of snack and drink shops in Victoria International Airport for travelers in need of a quick fix. Venerable Canadian doughnut shop Tim Horton's has a popular stand in Victoria International Airport that brings one of the most popular restaurants in the country to world travelers. The White Spot at the Airport Restaurant is the only sit-down dining area currently in Victoria International Airport and offers a basic lunch, dinner, and drink menu for discerning travelers. The Capital Brew Coffee Bar and Airside Café help coffee drinkers stay awake during long trips to and from Victoria International Airport.

Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303

The need to pack your bags carefully during your travels around the world is often underrated. Transport Canada and the Victoria Air Authority have provided a number of tips to Canadian residents to aid in the process of investigating every bag stored aboard a plane. The key to packing correctly for a trip through Victoria International Airport is to attach a tag with your name, telephone number, and other information on each piece of baggage in case of misplaced items.

There are a number of tips on packing for international travel that should be followed before you head to Victoria International Airport. You should utilize clear plastic bags for travel-sized bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste for easy inspection by air security guards. You should also keep gifts and other items unwrapped when possible to avoid ruining your hard work in the security line. It is also advisable to avoid storing scissors, nail clippers, and other items in your bag to steer clear of drawing the ire of airport security.

One area of packing that is overlooked by most travelers is the proper charging and packing of electronic items. Cell phones, PDAs, and lap tops are targets of random inspections by security personnel due to concerns over explosive devices on a plane. You should be able to turn on and sustain power in an electronic device during an inspection to allow security personnel to investigate materials and power sources.

Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303

Your desire to move smoothly from the arrivals entrance into your seat on an airplane sitting in Victoria International Airport can be aided with proper planning. You should have your plane ticket and government-issued ID prepared to be reviewed by security personnel. Transport Canada and Victoria Air Authority officials will need to verify your identity in order to allow you to board a plane without suspicion.

It is important to cooperate fully with the investigations of airline security officials. You should place every carry-on bag on the conveyor belt for X-ray inspections by Victoria Air Authority staff before they are cleared for storage. It is also important to fully disclose any metallic implants and items in your pockets that may cause the metal detector to go off. This type of disclosure keeps the security line moving and helps you avoid embarrassment in public.

You can anticipate the long lines at check-in and security points at Victoria International Airport by arriving early. Most airlines post recommended arrival times at the airline counter based on the amount of time required to check luggage and fill out materials. A good rule of thumb for passengers using Victoria International Airport is to arrive at the airline counter at least 90 minutes before flight to get to your seat on time.

Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303

Victoria International Airport's history and location on Vancouver Island offer interesting opportunities for residents interested in aviation. Your trip to the airport information desk will give you all the historical perspective you need to understand the importance of this airport in the development of British Columbia. You can utilize one of the airport's aviation companies to learn about flights and put in some hours in air while away from home to help advance the cause of aviation in Vancouver.

There are three aviation companies stationed in Victoria International Airport with a variety of options for the amateur aviator. Companies like the Victoria Flying Club, Juan Air, and Island Pacific Flight Academy utilize the extensive runways and maintenance facilities at Victoria International Airport to keep students in the air. Students and people interested in a primer on aviation can speak with flight instructors almost any day of the week. These companies often run charter flights during peak seasons while allowing students to fly back to Victoria once cargo and passengers are delivered. It is wise to speak with a representative from one of these companies ahead of your arrival to learn about specials and course fees.

Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303

Victoria International Airport fits nicely between the major international airports and regional airfields of Canada. The 400,000 plus airplanes that entered Toronto's Lester B. Pearson Airport in 2007 eclipses the level of traffic that landed and left Victoria International Airport in the same period. The statistical organization Transport Canada places the number of airplanes landing in Victoria International Airport at 145,140 in 2007, which was a 3.6% decrease over the previous year.

The decrease in airplanes landing at Victoria International Airport does not indicate a decrease in the number of passengers utilizing Canadian airlines. The Victoria Airport Authority tracked an increase of 5.6% of passengers in the first three months of 2006 and 2007. This increase continued over the middle two quarters of 2007, with the second quarter experiencing a 5.8% increase over the previous year and a 6.1% increase in the summer months. These numbers demonstrate the popularity of Vancouver Island and Victoria International Airport for world travelers.

Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303

The steady growth of air traffic into Victoria International Airport from North American destinations has caused the Victorian Air Authority to consider expanding terminals and runways. This public corporation has run the airport since 1997 when Canada's Transport Canada relinquished control to provide immediate services to regional customers. The current efforts at renovation and expansion at Victoria International Airport have been aided by a fee attached to each outgoing ticket valued at $10 Canadian. The budget for expansion has also been aided by the provincial and federal government's reduction of property expenses to accommodate the needs of the Air Authority.

There has been discussion of expanding Victoria International Airport's three runways to avoid wear and tear on aging asphalt. The main runway and two subsidiary runways may be accompanied soon by additional maintenance facilities and runways for charter and cargo airlines. The 2005 completion of substantial exterior renovations on Victoria International Airport has helped update the design aesthetics in an airport in existence since World War II. Long time travelers to Victoria International Airport will note the updated arrivals area and a face lift applied to airport vending areas. These changes are only the first step in the adjustment of Victoria International Airport into a modern destination.

Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303