b'GENERAL AVIATIONYPK 39A key part of the strategy to do so is leveraging the airports existing footprint. Developable land along the Pacific coastline from British Columbia down to Southern California is scarceand therefore expensive. YPK sits on 900 prime acres, with more than 200 still available for development. Millers team will hit the trade show circuit over the next couple of years to raise awareness of YPK among businesses and corporations seeking to expand in Canada, or relocate their Pacific Rim aviation operations. If all goes according to plan, portions of the blueberry fields that currently dot the airports northern acreage will someday house aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities. Because Pitt Meadows is close to a major West Coast metro area, yet still far enough away from central Vancouver to offer more affordable housing options, Miller says the community and its airport present compelling options for aviation businesses with 30 to 100 employees. Integrity Flight Support recently became YPKs first fixed base operator and sole jet fuel provider. The company offers ramp handling services, passenger and crew lounges, concierge services, office and meeting rentals, aircraft parts distribution, private aircraft management and crew cars or limousine service for guests.This spring, the airport also launched a four-month airfield bridge across the Pitt River in the late 1950s brought highwayimprovement project that includes milling, base repairs, repaving connectivity between suburban Pitt Meadows and Vancouversand line painting for several taxiways. Work on Runway 26L-08R central business district, and Canadian transportation leadersbegins in August. Ramps, apron lighting, drainage ditches, signs quickly recognized the value of adding air connectivity, as well.and fencing will all receive upgrades, and a new 50,000-liter jet fuel tank (about 13,200 gallons) was recently installed. By 1963, federal aviation officials had opened a small airfieldIts been a really robust season for us, in COVID and coming in Pitt Meadows to serve as a satellite for the growing Vancouverout (of the pandemic), Miller says. Weve never really slowed International Airport (YVR).down as far as development goes.6 decades later, YPK remains a thriving general aviation facility that caters primarily to flight training operators, aircraftCorporate Terminalmaintenance businesses and commercial charters, includingThe most evident sign of YPKs redevelopment is a new helicopter tours. Its air traffic control tower directs pilots along50,000-square-foot terminal that opened in June 2022. It was three asphalt runways that range from nearly 2,500 feet todesigned with an emphasis on corporate travelers more so than almost 5,000 feet in length. A riverside area supports floatplanecommercial flyers to help YPK stand apart from other regional operators such as Harbour Air, which offers seasonal weekdayairports in Canada and United States.service to Victoria Island. Its our flagship, and shows were open for business and are Just to the west, YVR remains the regions primary commercialserious about infrastructure for the future, Miller says.gateway with more than 19 million passengers in 2022. NearbyPacific Aircraft Services, a subsidiary of Abbotsford International (YXX) is also a strong player with nearlyconstruction contractor and equipment 1 million annual passengers. Both enjoy ample service from Airprovider RDM Enterprises, owns and Canada, WestJet, Swoop and Flair Airlines. Even without largeoperates the new terminal. RDM is located commercial carriers, YPK remains an integral cog in the nationaljust 30 minutes south of the airport, and aviation system with close to 130,000 movements last year. Ron Madsen, the companys founder and We are usually in the top dozen busiest airports (in Canada),president, was largely inspired to build at Miller says, adding that several flight schoolssome with asYPK due to challenges he had encounteredRON MADSENmany as 25 aircraft eachkeep the skies above YPK buzzing.flying through the regions largest airport.Were now trying to move corporate traffic here and take theI had a trip through Vancouver International Airport a while load off Vancouver and Abbottsford, which are certainly moreback on a private aircraft, Madsen says. It took two hours to interested in the bigger aircraft. We have a market we can reallyget there, and then we spent another 30 minutes waiting on the open up here. airfield because there were so many commercial airliners there.AirportImprovement.comJuly | August 2023'