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Abbotsford
Airport- in the Middle of
Everywhere
By
Jerry W. Bird
When
I first heard the expression, "In the middle of
everywhere," spoken in reference to the City of
Abbotsford Airport, it really hit home. "What an
ideal slogan for a complex that straddles the
Canada - USA border, and is central to key
population centres of the Fraser Valley, BC's Lower
Mainland and Northwest Washington State, " I
thought.
And that's why this airport's future success is
foreordained by simple arithmetic. According to
population figures, over 700,000 people live closer
to Abbotsford Airport (YXX) than to Vancouver
International (YVR). Abbotsford is truly in the
middle of everywhere. It's on the Trans Canada
Highway midway between Vancouver's Waterfront and
the Rocky Mountain gateway of Hope. A few hours
south is the Seattle- Tacoma megacity, home of
Microsoft and Boeing, the world's most concentrated
aircraft manufacturing complex. Not to mention the
Seattle Mariners with their new stadium. We
envision scheduled flights to Seattle and Portland
from Abbotsford Airport in the not too distant
future.
Canada's
National Airport Policy coupled with an
historic Open Skies Air Agreement, laid the
groundwork for a total revolution in general
aviation and passenger travel. It came with a rush,
no better example being the rapid sequence of
events here at Abbotsford Airport. 1997 ushered in
a bold new era, as the City of Abbotsford,
represented by Mayor George Ferguson, and
Abbotsford Airport Authority, under the leadership
of President Herman Driediger, pledged to
fully develop the airport's potential.Driediger's
optimism was justified by the airport's history and
prime location in the heart of a large, growing
population centre, with the Trans Canada Highway
bringing visitors, new business and development to
the airport's very doorstep. Having earned world
recognition for the Abbotsford International
Airshow and Aerospace North America, the stage was
set. As Herman Driediger expected, virtually
overnight, Abbotsford Airport was on its way to
becoming a successful, passenger gateway, with a
brand new air terminal completed in record time --
and on budget.
He
had little doubt that this cause and effect
situation would also be a magnet for general
aviation and light industry. In addition to
increased action on the airport property, such as
the Conair Group's multi-million dollar complex,
all one needs to do is drive down Mt. Lehman Road
and spot the warehouses and commercial development
springing up like wildflowers on the airport's
perimeter. At the Trans Canada Highway's Mt. Lehman
exit, are some further signs of important moves
afoot, affected by the airport's strategic
position. Much of that action has happened in three
short years.
Speak
of positioning -- a glance at any map of the 100
mile stretch from Vancouver to Hope reveals that
over 700,000 Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley
residents are within the airport's marketing area,
According to recent studies, that figure represents
the number of persons who live closer to Abbotsford
Airport than its biggest competitor, Vancouver
International Airport. Just drive east from
Vancouver any time and you'll see what we mean --
wall to wall cars. Small wonder, so many inbound
and outbound passengers love our new terminal with
its convenient parking and laid back
atmosphere.
WestJet
Airlines' scheduled Boeing 737 service started the
ball rolling three years ago; now that company's
daily flights have been increased and its links
extend far beyond the original Abbotsford-Calgary-
Edmonton triangle. You can connect via Alberta to
Grand Prairie, Prince George, Regina, Saskatoon,
Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Ottawa, Hamilton and before
long- to Montreal. With Canada 3000 Airlines
providing direct weekly service to Toronto's
Pearson International Airport, since June,
Abbotsford Airport's passenger figures for the year
should top the 200,000 mark. What's next -- the
Okanagan, Seattle, Portland, Las Vegas?
Across the broad tarmac of Abbotsford Aiport, the
Conair Group's new $50 million aircraft maintenance
facility looks ready to go, and is scheduled to
open in October. According to Conair Group,
business volume is expected to double and
employment to triple by 2004.For over 60 years,
since World War II, Abbotsford Airport has been a
key economic engine in the Fraser Valley. It has
generated significant revenues and created
employment throughout the region.
Recently,
Herman Driediger and the Abbotsford Airport
Authority initiated an Economic
Impact Study to
measure the impact of the airport on British
Columbia.
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Distance
to:
U.S. Border Customs:
Chilliwack:
Mount Baker:
Bellingham:
Vancouver:
White Rock-
Customs:
Harrison
Hot Springs:
Tsawwassen
Ferry:
*Victoria
& Nanaimo
Horsehoe Bay
Ferry:
Nanaimo,
Bowen
Island, Langdale, Sunshine Coast.
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3 Km (2
miles)
28km (17 miles)
70km (42 miles)
70km (42 miles)
72km (43 miles)
48km (29 miles)
68 km (40 miles)
75 km (45 miles)
100km (60 miles)
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Population
Primary
Market:
- .
Secondary
Market:---
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381,000
322,000
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