Northwest Regional Airport Terrace-Kitimat
Airport in Terrace, British Columbia From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Northwest Regional Airport Terrace-Kitimat, (IATA: YXT, ICAO: CYXT), is a regional airport serving northwestern British Columbia, including Terrace, Thornhill, Kitimat, and the Nass River Valley. Located is located 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi)[1] south of Terrace (about 10 km (6.2 mi) south of downtown[3]), the airport connects the region to major Canadian cities through passenger, cargo, and charter services. YXT is managed by the Terrace-Kitimat Airport Society, a non-profit organization responsible for its operations and strategic development.[4]
Northwest Regional Airport Terrace-Kitimat Terrace Airport | |||||||||||||||
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| Summary | |||||||||||||||
| Airport type | Public | ||||||||||||||
| Owner/Operator | Terrace-Kitimat Airport Society | ||||||||||||||
| Serves | Terrace, Kitimat | ||||||||||||||
| Location | Terrace, British Columbia | ||||||||||||||
| Opened | 1943 | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | PST (UTC−08:00) | ||||||||||||||
| • Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC−07:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 713 ft / 217 m | ||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 54°28′07″N 128°34′42″W | ||||||||||||||
| Website | yxt | ||||||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||||||
 CYXT Location in British Columbia | |||||||||||||||
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| Runways | |||||||||||||||
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| Statistics (2023) | |||||||||||||||
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History
Summarize
Perspective
World War II origins
YXT was originally constructed in 1943 as a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) airbase during World War II.[5][6][7] It formed part of Canada's Pacific defence strategy against potential Japanese threats.[6] The facility hosted fighter and bomber squadrons, including the Hawker Hurricanes of No. 135 Squadron and Ventura bombers of No. 149 Squadron.[5][6][7]
Construction challenges, such as harsh weather and limited resources, delayed the base’s operational readiness.[6] By 1944, as the perceived threat diminished, the airbase shifted to a support role, and in 1945, RCAF decommissioned the base.[5][6][8]
Post-war civilian use
Transferred to the Department of Transport in 1946, the airfield transitioned to civilian use.[4][6][8] In 1947, it received its first civilian airport license, though it saw limited activity until the 1950s.[6][9] The industrial development of Kitimat and the construction of the aluminum smelter brought increased demand for regional air transport, leading to infrastructure upgrades, including night-flight lighting systems in 1956.[6]
Modernization and local management
In 1999, the airport was transferred to the Terrace-Kitimat Airport Society under Canada’s National Airports Policy.[6]
Facilities
Runways
Northwest Regional Airport features two asphalt runways:
- Runway 15/33: 7,497 ft × 148 ft (2,285 m × 45 m)[1][10]
- Runway 03/21: 5,316 ft × 148 ft (1,620 m × 45 m)[1]
The primary runway, 15/33, is equipped with an instrument landing system (ILS), installed in 2002, enabling aircraft to land in low-visibility conditions.[1]
It was later replaced in 2015 with the support of federal government money after a series of failures resulted in the delay and cancellation of flights to and from the airport.[11][12][13]
Terminal
The terminal, renovated and completed in 2018 and in 2024, includes expanded departure and arrivals areas, updated baggage handling systems, and updated parking facilities.[4][14][15][16][17][18]
Ground transportation
The airport is accessible via the Stewart–Cassiar Highway (Highway 37) and offers on-site parking, car rentals, and taxi services.[3][19] Parking facilities include short-term, long-term, and designated spaces for accessibility.[20][21][22][23][24]
Airlines and destinations
As of December 2024, passenger airlines Air Canada Express, and WestJet Encore operate at Northwest Regional Airport Terrace-Kitimat.
| Airlines | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Air Canada Express | Vancouver[25] |
| Airco | Charter: Prince George[26] |
| Canadian North[citation needed] | Charter: Calgary, Edmonton, Hamilton |
| Central Mountain Air | Prince George[27] Charter: Kelowna,[citation needed] Vancouver[citation needed] |
| North Cariboo Air[citation needed] | Charter: Kelowna, Vancouver |
| Summit Air | Charter: Nanaimo[28] |
| WestJet Encore | Calgary, Vancouver[29] |
Passenger and cargo statistics
Passenger and air traffic
YXT has seen significant growth in passenger traffic, particularly when compared to other airports across the country post-COVID-19 pandemic.[30] Based on Statistics Canada's 2023 Airport Activity Survey, Terrace is Canada's 19th busiest airport by total passengers.[31]
| Year | Passenger flights | % change | Total passengers | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 3,865 |  |
168,168 | |
| 2021 | 4,694 |  21.4% |
218,397 | 29.8% |
| 2022 | 7,441 | 58.5% |
396,216 | 81.4% |
| 2023 | 7,624 | 2.4% |
444,385 | 12.1% |
Cargo operations
The airport serves as a vital hub for cargo, supporting industries such as mining, forestry, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) development.[6][23][33][34][35][36][37]
Improvements and investments
Infrastructure enhancements
Equipment investments
- Snowblowers and sweepers: New equipment was introduced to enhance runway safety during winter months, funded in part by LNG Canada and federal grants.[38][39]
Location
The airport is situated along the Stewart–Cassiar Highway, approximately 10 km (6.2 mi) south of downtown Terrace and 56 km (35 mi) north of Kitimat.[3]
Economic impact
Northwest Regional Airport plays a critical role in the economic development of northern British Columbia.[33][40] It supports regional industries by facilitating the movement of goods and workers, especially for the mining and LNG sectors.[40] The airport also serves as an emergency transport hub, connecting remote communities to essential medical services.[41]
Governance
The Terrace-Kitimat Airport Society, a non-profit organization, oversees the management and development of YXT.[4][9] The organization includes representatives from the City of Terrace, the District of Kitimat, and the Regional District of Kitimat–Stikine.[30] Revenue generated by the airport is reinvested into infrastructure and operational improvements.[42]
Accidents and incidents
Summarize
Perspective
Northwest Regional Airport Terrace-Kitimat has been the site of several aviation incidents and accidents. These events highlight the challenges of operating in a region with frequently adverse weather conditions, and mountainous terrain.
1977 Twin Otter accident
On 14 January 1977, a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter operated by Northern Thunderbird Air crashed into a mountain during its approach to runway 32 in a snowstorm.[43][44][45][46] The flight, operating from Prince George to Terrace, was carrying 12 individuals, all of whom died in the crash.[43][44][45][46] Weather conditions, including limited visibility and heavy snowfall, were significant factors contributing to the accident.[43][44]
The 1977 Twin Otter crash was the 43th worst aviation accident globally for that year.[44]
1989 Skylink flight 070
On 26 September 1989, Skylink Flight 070 (operated by Aztec Aviation[47]), a Swearingen SA227-AC Metro III, was destroyed during a missed approach at Terrace.[48][49][50] The aircraft, which was operating a scheduled domestic flight from Vancouver to Terrace, had five passengers and two crew members on board, all of whom were killed.[48][49][50]
The aircraft was cleared for an approach to runway 27 but failed to establish the required visual references.[49] The crew attempted a circling approach but initiated a missed approach in instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions.[49] During the missed approach, the aircraft began an uncontrolled descent and struck trees near runway 15 before coming to rest outside the airport perimeter.[49]
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) identified several contributing factors, including:
- The crew’s decision to continue beyond the missed approach point without visual contact with the runway.[49]
- Disorientation during the missed approach procedure.[49][50]
- Inadequate operating standards and procedural definitions within the airline’s operations.[49]
2020 WestJet Encore flight 3107
On 31 January 2020, WestJet Encore Flight 3107, a Bombardier DHC-8-400 operating from Vancouver to Terrace, experienced a nose landing gear collapse during landing on runway 33.[51][52][53] At the time, snow was falling, and the runway was partially cleared, with windrows of snow approximately 18 in (460 mm) high along the edges of the cleared area.[51][52]
The aircraft initially touched down approximately 10 ft (3.0 m) left of the centreline due to variable winds and reduced visual cues.[51][52] It contacted the windrow, causing the nose gear to collapse and resulting in damage to the fuselage and right propeller blades.[51][52] The aircraft came to a stop partially off the runway.[51][52]
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada investigation identified several causes and contributing factors:
- Limited visual cues due to snow-covered conditions affected the crew’s ability to accurately judge lateral positioning.[51][52][54][55]
- Contact with the windrow caused drag on the left landing gear, leading to a runway excursion.[51][52][54][55]
- Snow and ice packed into the nose gear bay during the excursion contributed to the collapse of the gear.[51][52][54][55]
The aircraft was ferried to Kelowna for repairs and returned to service in June 2020.[52]
In response to the 2020 WestJet Encore Flight 3107 incident, the airline made changes to its safety handbook.[56]
References
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