Kamloops Airport

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Kamloops Airport
Fulton Field
The main terminal building of an airport, with a road and parking lot situated near the building.
Main terminal building
IATA: YKA – ICAO: CYKA
– WMO: 71887
Summary
Airport type Public
Owner Kamloops Airport Authority Society
Operator Kamloops Airport Limited
Location Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
Opened August 5, 1939
Time zone PST (UTC−08:00)
 • Summer (DST) PDT (UTC−07:00)
Elevation AMSL 1,133 ft / 345 m
Coordinates 50°42′09″N 120°26′55″W / 50.70250°N 120.44861°W / 50.70250; -120.44861Coordinates: 50°42′09″N 120°26′55″W / 50.70250°N 120.44861°W / 50.70250; -120.44861
Website www.kamloopsairport.com
Map
CYKA
Location of the airport in British Columbia, Canada
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
04/22 2,780 847 Asphalt
08/26 8,000 2,438 Asphalt
Statistics (2010–12)
Aircraft movements 36,094 (2,010)
Passengers 275,424 (2,012)
Source: Canada Flight Supplement[1]
CYKA NOTAM file[2]
Environment Canada[3]
Movements from Statistics Canada[4]
Passengers from The Daily News[5]

Kamloops Airport (IATA: YKA, ICAO: CYKA), also known as Fulton Field or Davie Fulton Airport, is a regional airport located 5 nautical miles (9 km; 6 mi) west northwest of Kamloops, British Columbia, a city in the Thompson region of Canada. It is owned by the Kamloops Airport Authority Society, while operated by Kamloops Airport Limited, serving the North Okanagan, Nicola and Shuswap areas. Initial examination for the airport's construction began in June 1931, when the city leased 46 acres (19 ha) from fruit-growing company BC Fruitlands.

Along with an air show presentation, the airport publicly opened on August 5, 1939. It has 2,780 by 49 ft (847 by 15 m) and 8,000 by 148 ft (2,438 by 45 m) runways aligned 04/22 and 08/26, and served approximately 263,290 passengers in 2011. The airfield maintains a restaurant, The Bread Garden, as well as a medical facility, accommodation areas and administrative buildings; food and snacks are also offered. Its terminal, runway and navigation aids were expanded and upgraded by 2009. It has seen one accident throughout its history.

The airport has daily scheduled flights to 9 destinations in Canada provided by Air Canada Express, Central Mountain Air and WestJet. Approximately 263,290 passengers uses these services in 2011, while in 2010, the airport garnered 36,094 aircraft movements. Kelowna International Airport has had a small impact on traffic at the Kamloops Airport, with 13 percent of the local community choosing Kelowna over Kamloops.

History

Initial examination for constructing an airport in Kamloops began in June 1931, when the city leased 46 acres (19 ha) from fruit-growing company BC Fruitlands.[6] The airport's development started in 1936 and the gravel runway completed in 1938.[6] That same year, Kamloops acquired another 30 acres (12 ha), as well as land for airport use.[6] The Department of Transport, now known as Transport Canada, granted money for airport development in 1939, with the airfield's runway finishing in that year.[6] On April 13, 1939, an Aeronca aircraft made the first official landing on the runway.[6] The airport was publicly opened on August 5, 1939, along with an air show presented at the structure itself with over 30 aircraft.[7][8] Later that month, it was classified as a port of entry by the Canadian government.[6] During World War II, additional activity occurred at the airport.[6] In April 1942, Vancouver-based Gilbert Flight School transferred its service to Kamloops, as civil flights provided in British Columbia's Lower Mainland were canceled.[6]

In addition, the airport was used by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) as an alternate route for the no longer existent Air Transport Command (ATC) for flights to the Soviet Union.[6] During the war Kamloops gained access to 861 acres (348 ha) for further airport expansion, as well as the addition of taxi and apron services.[6] However, after World War II, part of the airport's land were sold to Canada's Department of Agriculture, with the size reducing to 570 acres (230 ha).[6] In May 1964, the Governor General of Canada at that time, Earl of Athlone, entitled the structure Fulton Field, in honor of John Fulton, a Wing Commander server born in Kamloops.[6][9] This was confirmed by George H. Greer, the secretary of the Kamloops Board of Trade at the time.[9] Throughout its history, a number of airlines have served it.[6] Canadian Pacific Air Lines provided daily flights in 1950 connecting to the communities of Quesnel, Prince George, Williams Lake and Vancouver.[6]

By 1951, the airport founded and became headquarters of Central British Columbia Airways, which was later known as Pacific Western Airlines, but is no longer existent.[6] However, the following year, its headquarters was transferred to Richmond's Vancouver International Airport.[6] The federal Department of Transport regained rights to the airport in 1961, beginning an expansion program.[6] The airfield saw its runways expand in 1963 and 1964, and the first air traffic controllers started working at Kamloops Airport in 1967.[6][10] That year the airport served approximately 29,200 passengers.[6]

There had previously been proposals for relocating the airport due to low public visibility during the fall and winter seasons of a specific year. The move was never carried out become another location could not be found.[6] Instead the airport was expanded by 1969.[6] This saw its administrative buildings, offices, baggage area and coffee shop being improved, costing $85,000.[11] There was a flood threat aimed close to the airport in 1972, while in the following year, the airfield's runways were extended.[6] Obtaining 149,027 passengers by 1974, more considered the airport reliable, as it was improved with the addition of more general services.[6]

An airplane sits at a runway.
A Convair aircraft operated by Conair sits at one of the airport's runways.

Kamloops Airport's telecommunication equipment was provided at a separate building in 1977, with 235,600 passengers garnered from it that same year.[6] The airport saw the start of its runways and terminals expansion in 1982 and 1984,[12] while the following year this was completed.[6][13] During 1986 and 1987, the former terminal building was changed to serve as an operation structure.[6] Air BC, Pacific Western Airlines and Time Air served as the airport's airlines in the 1980s; all three airlines no longer exist.[6] In 1988, the amount of passengers dropped to 137,579.[6] The runway has been used by Aeroncas, Airbus 320s, Boeing 727-200s, Boeing 737-400s, Boeing 737-700s, Cessna 150s and Grumman TBF Avenger since historical dates.[1][14][15]

However, by 2009, its terminal, runway and navigation aids were upgraded with about $25 million, which was funded by the British Columbia government, who gave $4 million, the Canadian government, who gave $6.6 million and the airport itself for the remaining money and announced in 2007; $13 million was used to upgrade the runway, $3 million was used to expand the navigation aid, while $4 million was used for terminal improvements.[16][17][18][19] The city's intention was to expand and upgrade the airport in order for the economy and tourism to expand.[16] City mayor Peter Milobar and members of the Kamloops Indian Band praised its expansion.[17] Its catchment area has a population of approximately 138,000 residents.[20]

Kelowna International Airport, an international airport operated in nearby city of Kelowna, has had a small impact on this airport, since they both share the same catchment area.[16] About 13 percent of the local residents in 2007 choose the Kelowna International Airport over the Kamloops Airport to fly to regional destinations, specifically due to its significant growth.[16] Despite this, some Kelowna residents choose the Kamloops Airport over their local airport.[21]

Facilities

An arrivals centre of an airport.
The arrivals area of the Kamloops Airport, which is situated in the Brocklehurst neighbourhood of the city.

The airport is located on 3035 Airport Road in the Brocklehurst neighbourhood of north Kamloops, 5 nautical miles (9 km; 6 mi) west northwest of city centre and Selkirk Mountains, situated off Tranquille Road on the Fraser Plateau.[1][22][23][24] It is located 307 kilometres (191 mi) north of the Canada–United States border and opposite the Kamloops Golf & Country Club and Kamloops Lake attractions, which is a lake and country club situated in the city. Paid parking, taxis, car rentals and bus service are available.[25][26] Car rentals are provided by Budget Rent a Car, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental, which have offices located at the airport, while its bus service is offered by the Kamloops Transit System, which is operated by BC Transit.[25] There are 389 parking stalls,[27] but 150 more spaces are expected.[28] Due to its location, the airport is commonly used to gain access to Sun Peaks, British Columbia, and Sun Peaks Resort.[29][30]

Food and snacks are available at this airport's terminal,[31] as well as a medical facility, accommodation areas and administrative buildings.[1][11][31][32] There is a restaurant provided at the airport's terminal, The Bread Garden,[31] as well as Canada Revenue Agency and Nav Canada offices.[33][34] Its terminal, which is 1,500 square metres (16,000 sq ft),[35] has been considered for further expansion, with the North Shore Business Improvement Association helping this expansion.[36][37] The city's intention was to expand and upgrade the airport in order for the economy and tourism to expand.[16] City mayor Peter Milobar and members of the Kamloops Indian Band praised its expansion.[17] The airport's aircraft obtain their fuel from Shell Canada, which is located on site and serves as an aviation dealer for the Kamloops Airport.[38] The airfield has 2,780 by 49 feet (847 by 15 m) and 8,000 by 148 feet (2,438 by 45 m) asphalt runways aligned 04–22 and 08–26,[1][35] which are appraised every five years.[39]

An aircraft located on a runway, with a mountain in the background.
A Nav Canada aircraft sits at the Kamloops Airport, which was expanded to help the local economy and tourism.

Formerly known as the Kamloops Aero Club,[8] the Kamloops Flying Club operates at the airport,[40] which is a club where children receive a flight in an airplane with the pilot and learn about the airplanes themselves.[41] In addition, the flight school Canadian Flight Centre is based on site; the branch based in Boundary Bay, Delta opened a location in Kamloops in May 2012 and uses Cessna aircraft for its lessons.[42][43] Canadian Helicopters operates a training facility for the Kamloops Airport[43][44] Other related facilities include Astaris Canada, CC Helicopters, Highland Helicopters and WestAir Aviation.[44] Formerly, Flight Discovery operated as a flight school at the airport, but the owner was deemed a fraud artist.[45]

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) operates an A-Star helicopter at the airport, while the BC Forest Service occasionally uses the airfield with their helicopters.[46] It maintains an aircraft maintenance centre, while aircraft parts are sold by Inland Communications, Mountainaire Services, Progressive Air Services, Pro Aero Engines, Spring Aviation and Westcan Aircraft Sales & Salvage.[47] Meanwhile, packages can be delivered through FedEx at the Kamloops Airport, while custom and security services are provided by Canada Border Services Agency and Garda Security Screening.[33] There is a radio navigation aid provided at the Kamloops Airport which is used by pilots on aircraft coming from other nearby airports to determine their location.[48][49] The navigation system is owned by Nav Canada,[49] which operate an air traffic control system at it.[50] The Airside Business Park and Fulton Industrial Park are the airport's development areas.[39]

A local parking lot with a number of automobiles using the service; there is also a building of an airport, which contains its terminal.
The airport's parking lot, which is used to gain access to its terminal that was expanded by 2009.

The local and upcoming weather of Kamloops is observed at this airport's weather station, referred to as the Kamloops Airport Weather Station.[22][51] Nav Canada has noted that most of the aircraft winds near the Kamloops Airport blow east and west.[23] It has been classified as an airport of entry by Nav Canada and is staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency.[1] An aircraft at this airport may handle no more than 30 passengers.[1] Skydiving can be performed at the airport through Skydive Kamloops.[40] Passengers may also board a courtesy shuttle to other nearby municipalities, such as Blue River, British Columbia.[52]

It has a number of employees available, with Fred Legace serving as airport manager and a number of maintenance workers serving the airport; Ed Ratuski also manages it.[37][53][54][55] The Kamloops Airport has been owned by a number of companies since its opening. It was initially owned by the RCAF, but later there was a proposal led the RCAF to transfer airport ownership to Kamloops itself, hence why the name was changed to the Kamloops Airport,[6] although it is commonly referred to as Fulton Field or Fulton Airport.[9][56] During the 1990s, Transport Canada, the owner at that time, began a program to transfer ownership of selected regional airports and the ownership of the Kamloops Airport was transferred to the then-new Kamloops Airport Authority Society by August 1997 which is a department of the Kamloops City Council and was composed of its members; it was deemed a commercial operation.[6][57][58] Kamloops Airport Authority Society have a contract with the Vancouver Airport Authority, which allow them to manage and operate the airport.[59] It is operated by Kamloops Airport Limited.[53]

Airlines and destinations

A Central Mountain Air aircraft sits at the Kamloops Airport.

As of 2012, the Kamloops Airport offers scheduled flights to the Calgary International Airport and Vancouver International Airport, which are provided by Air Canada Express and operated by Jazz Air.[60] In addition, Central Mountain Air flights are offered to the Fort St. John Airport, Kelowna International Airport, Prince George Airport, Smithers Airport and Northwest Regional Airport, along with WestJet flights, which were added in November 2009,[61] to the Calgary International Airport and Edmonton International Airport; the latter has been serviced since January 2010.[60][62][63] All of these flights are provided daily.[60]

Kamloops Airport has provided flights to several destinations by charter airlines as well, including the Denver International Airport, San Diego International Airport, San Jose International Airport and Seattle–Tacoma International Airport.[16][64][65] In 2010, the airport garnered 36,094 aircraft movements,[4] while in 2012, it served approximately 275,424 passengers, representing a 4.4 percent increase from the 2011 amount of about 263,290 passengers.[5][66] The majority of this increase occurred in December 2012, which the Canadian Flight Centre contributed to.[5]

Airlines Destinations
Air Canada Express Calgary, Vancouver
Canadian North Seasonal: Vancouver, Kelowna
Central Mountain Air Fort St. John, Kelowna, Prince George, Smithers, Terrace
WestJet operated by WestJet Encore Calgary, Vancouver

Cargo

Airlines Destinations
SkyLink Express Vancouver

Accidents and incidents

On July 31, 2010, a Convair CV-580 airtanker operated by Convair Aviation, on route to the Kamloops Airport, crashed and was destroyed due to a local forest fire on the British Columbia Ministry of Forests land near Siwash Road, some 15 kilometres (9 mi) south of Lytton, British Columbia, a town in the Thompson region, along with Kamloops.[67] Both crew members were killed in the accident.[67]

See also

References

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Canada Flight Supplement. Effective 0901Z 12 December 2013 to 0901Z 6 February 2014
  2. ↑ "AWWS – Forecast and Observations". Nav Canada. Retrieved December 28, 2012. 
  3. ↑ "Synoptic/Metstat Station Information". Environment Canada. Retrieved December 28, 2012. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Total aircraft movements by class of operation – NAV CANADA flight service stations". Statistics Canada. Retrieved December 28, 2012. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Number of travellers using Kamloops airport continues to climb". The Daily News. January 9, 2013. Retrieved January 25, 2013. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 6.9 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 6.15 6.16 6.17 6.18 6.19 6.20 6.21 6.22 6.23 6.24 6.25 6.26 6.27 6.28 6.29 "Our History". Kamloops Airport Authority Society. Retrieved December 28, 2012. 
  7. ↑ "Kamloops: The North Shore Advantage" (PDF). North Shore Business Improvement Association. Retrieved December 28, 2012. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Kamloops Will Open Airport". The Vancouver Sun. July 31, 1939. Retrieved January 25, 2013.  – via Google News Archive
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Fulton Airport". Windsor Star. April 6, 1950. Retrieved January 25, 2013.  – via Google News Archive
  10. ↑ "Ride 'Em Cowboy". Windsor Star. August 17, 1964. Retrieved January 25, 2013. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Airport Contracted Awarded". The Sunday Sun. June 1, 1968. Retrieved January 25, 2013.  – via Google News Archive
  12. ↑ "Airport update near for Kamloops". Financial Times. February 6, 1982. Retrieved January 25, 2013.  – via Google News Archive
  13. ↑ "History of Aviation" (PDF). BC Forest Service. November 2011. Retrieved January 23, 2013. 
  14. ↑ McGrath (1992)
  15. ↑ "Newspaper Photographer Tells of Fire From Air". The StarPhoenix. July 16, 1960. Retrieved January 25, 2013.  – via Google News Archive
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 "$20 Million Airport Expansion Expected to Bolster the Kamloops Economy by Millions". Newswire. July 23, 2007. Retrieved January 24, 2013.  – via HighBeam Research (subscription required)
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Young, Michele (October 24, 2009). "Expanded airport finally complete". The Daily News. Retrieved January 24, 2013. 
  18. ↑ "Western Economic Diversification Canada: Canada's New Government Announces $6 Million Commitment Toward Kamloops Airport Expansion". Newswire. July 18, 2007. Retrieved January 24, 2013.  – via HighBeam Research (subscription required)
  19. ↑ "Ottawa spending $6.6M to help expand airport in the Interior". CBC News. July 18, 2007. Retrieved January 25, 2013. 
  20. ↑ "Investing in Airport Infrastructure" (PDF). Kamloops Airport Authority Society. Retrieved January 24, 2013. 
  21. ↑ "Kelowna International Airport Master Plan 2025" (PDF). Kelowna International Airport. February 2007. Retrieved January 24, 2013. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "Kamloops Climate". British Columbia Wildlife Management Branch. Retrieved January 23, 2013. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "BC31E" (PDF). Nav Canada. Retrieved November 24, 2012. 
  24. ↑ McCaslin, John (March 16, 2002). "Arranging that mountain trek". The Washington Times. Retrieved January 25, 2013.  – via HighBeam Research (subscription required)
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "Car Rentals and Ground Transportation". Kamloops Airport Authority Society. Retrieved January 23, 2013. 
  26. ↑ "Parking". Kamloops Airport Authority Society. Retrieved January 25, 2013. 
  27. ↑ "Airport needs more parking". The Daily News. October 20, 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2013. 
  28. ↑ "Airport parking expansion going out to proposals soon". The Daily News. March 3, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2013. 
  29. ↑ "Airport Shuttles". Sun Peaks Resort. Retrieved January 26, 2013. 
  30. ↑ "Earlier starts for winter flights sign of good winter". The Daily News. October 19, 2012. 
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 "Shops and Services". Kamloops Airport Authority Society. Retrieved January 23, 2013. 
  32. ↑ "CYKA – Kamloops Airport". SkyVector. Retrieved January 23, 2013. 
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 "CBSA Office – Detailed Information". Canada Border Services Agency. Retrieved January 23, 2013. 
  34. ↑ "Air Traffic Control". Kamloops Airport Authority Society. Retrieved January 23, 2013. 
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 "Facilities". Kamloops Airport Authority Society. Retrieved January 23, 2013. 
  36. ↑ "Airport Improvement Fee". Kamloops Airport Authority Society. Retrieved January 24, 2013. 
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 "Airport Land Deviation Plan" (PDF). Kamloops Airport Authority Society. Retrieved January 24, 2013. 
  38. ↑ "Aircraft Fuel". Kamloops Airport Authority Society. Retrieved January 23, 2013. 
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 "Industrial Land Leasing and Purchase". Kamloops Airport Authority Society. Retrieved January 23, 2013. 
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 "Recreational Flying and Skydiving". Kamloops Airport Authority Society. Retrieved January 23, 2013. 
  41. ↑ "Home". Kamloops Flying Club. Retrieved January 23, 2013. 
  42. ↑ Young, Michele (May 16, 2013). "New flight school lands in Kamloops". The Daily News. Retrieved January 23, 2013. 
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 "Flight Schools". Kamloops Airport Authority Society. Retrieved January 23, 2013. 
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 "Charter Operations". Kamloops Airport Authority Society. Retrieved January 23, 2013. 
  45. ↑ Fortems, Cam (January 15, 2013). "Fraud artist given four years". The Daily News. Retrieved January 25, 2013. 
  46. ↑ "Government Air Operations". Kamloops Airport Authority Society. Retrieved January 24, 2013. 
  47. ↑ "Aircraft Sales, Parts or Maintenance". Kamloops Airport Authority Society. Retrieved January 24, 2013. 
  48. ↑ "Radio navigation". Merriam-Webster. Retrieved November 26, 2012. 
  49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 "Navaid information". AirNav. Retrieved December 30, 2012. 
  50. ↑ "Air Traffic Control". Kamloops Airport Authority Society. Retrieved January 4, 2013. 
  51. ↑ "Kamloops, British Columbia – 7 Day Forecast". Environment Canada. Retrieved January 24, 2013. 
  52. ↑ Tait, Carrie; Walton, Dawn (January 19, 2013). "Where celebrities go to heli-ski: Could you handle the Mike Wiegele B.C. mountains?". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved January 25, 2013. 
  53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 "Kamloops Manual of Airside Access and Vehicle Control" (PDF). Kamloops Airport Authority Society. February 8, 2010. Retrieved December 29, 2012. 
  54. ↑ "Fog expected to lift, flights expected in the air by noon". The Daily News. January 17, 2011. Retrieved December 29, 2012. 
  55. ↑ Hamlett, Jason (December 28, 2012). "A normal end to a mild year". The Daily News. Retrieved January 25, 2013. 
  56. ↑ Hewlett, Jason (January 24, 2011). "Flight delays make Fulton Field as busy as Christmas". The Daily News. Retrieved January 24, 2013. 
  57. ↑ "Airport Divestiture Status Report". Transport Canada. Retrieved December 29, 2012. 
  58. ↑ "Kamloops Airport Authority Society". Kamloops Airport Authority Society. Retrieved January 24, 2013. 
  59. ↑ "City wants to go to court over Kamloops Airport contract". Kamloops This Week. March 29, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2013. 
  60. ↑ 60.0 60.1 60.2 "Airlines". Kamloops Airport Authority Society. Retrieved January 25, 2013. 
  61. ↑ "Airport News – Latin America / Caribbean". Airguide Online. July 13, 2009. Retrieved January 25, 2013.  – via HighBeam Research (subscription required)
  62. ↑ Forbes, Bryce (August 14, 2012). "Hail pounds Calgary like 'gunfire'; significant damage claims expected". Calgary Herald. Retrieved January 25, 2013. 
  63. ↑ "Low Cost Airline News". Airguide Online. January 4, 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2013.  – via HighBeam Research (subscription required)
  64. ↑ "Kamloops Airport (Kamloops, British Columbia) (CYKA)". FlightAware. Retrieved January 24, 2013. 
  65. ↑ Ross, Ian (December 1, 2008). "T Bay aviation IT firm lands in U.S.: iFIDS aims high in U.S. market". Northern Ontario Business. Retrieved January 25, 2013.  – via HighBeam Research (subscription required)
  66. ↑ "About Us". Kamloops Airport Authority Society. Retrieved December 28, 2012. 
  67. ↑ 67.0 67.1 "Aircraft accident Convair CV-580 Airtanker C-FKFY Lytton, BC". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved January 24, 2013. 

Bibliography

  1. McGrath, T.M. (1992). History of Canadian Airports. Toronto: Transport Canada, Government of Canada. ISBN 9780921633112. 

External links

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