As Cranbrook's airport expands, passengers may face longer wait times
Airlines bringing in larger planes, condensing schedules at Canadian Rockies International Airport
As the Canadian Rockies International Airport (YXC) in Cranbrook expands, passengers are being warned that it will temporarily mean longer wait times at the airport's one security checkpoint.
The rural, two-terminal airport in B.C.'s East Kootenay is undergoing scheduling changes to accommodate larger planes, which will allow for more passengers to fly in and out of the hub.
Eventually, the airport plans to expand its security checkpoints, washroom facilities and overall footprint, but for the time being, flyers could be dealing with a longer queue than they are used to.
Right now, Air Canada and WestJet are the only commercial airlines that fly into YXC, with flights to and from Vancouver and Calgary. WestJet recently replaced its smaller, 34-seat aircraft with 78-seat Q400 planes, while Air Canada already operates similar sized aircraft.
The airlines have also recently decided to rework the timing of some of their flights through Cranbrook, meaning there will be moments when numerous planes are on the tarmac at once.
Airport manager Tristen Chernove said Monday afternoons will be the busiest, with three flights between Air Canada and WestJet all landing and taking off at similar times.
"For at least one day a week we're going to look like a bigger, busier airport than we usually do here," he said.
Passengers asked to arrive early
With just one screening checkpoint at the small airport, if flights are full, hundreds of people may need to be processed at the same time.
For that reason, passengers are now being asked to show up 90 minutes early for their flights. It's something flyers in major hubs are largely used to, but not a rule travellers at smaller airports are always accustomed to having to follow.
Nik Ong, who often travels to the East Kootenay region for work, said 90 minutes is a long time to spend in a small airport. He said he typically plans to be an hour early for flights, but sometimes only 30 minutes in smaller spots.
"It would just be more hassle," he told CBC News, speaking at the airport in late October.
"I was working up until go time and my flight is leaving in half an hour. That would mean I would have needed to be here an hour ago."
Creston resident Mike Gibb agreed. He frequents the Cranbrook airport, often catching a plane to Calgary to fly to destinations like Mexico.
He said once passengers get through security, there isn't much to help pass the time.
"There's really nothing to do up in here. There's no amenities inside the airport to speak of."
Chernove said the arrival guidelines are set by the airlines, in consultation with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), which operates security screening at airports across the country.
CATSA is also the body in charge of determining how much security equipment and how many security staff are needed in Canadian airports.
Making way for future expansion
Chernove said if they get just a couple more large flights coming through the airport, it could be enough for CATSA to increase resources.
And, based on flight demand in the region and the airport's plan to expand, that could soon be the case.
Besides a drop during the COVID-19 pandemic, passenger numbers through YXC have been steadily increasing every year. In July, the airport reported a 32 per cent increase in seat sales for the first half of the year, compared to the same period in 2023.
Chernove added that all the larger planes going through the airport recently have had full flights.
Air Canada will also be adding capacity in late January, with approximately three or four more trips per week.
With the recent changes, Chernove said he expects to see about 9,000 more passengers in 2025.
And, he said he is always trying to recruit other air carriers to YXC as well.
Chernove said he understands the longer wait times may be an inconvenience for passengers in the short term, but that he hopes it doesn't last long and will mean more options for travellers in the near future.
"I look forward to the day that we do have more staffing and equipment in the screening point … I want us to get there. But I think it's reasonable that people are being asked that for now."
In the meantime, Chernove said plans are in place for the expansion of the terminal's washroom facilities and hold room, which could be completed as early as next year. A new restaurant recently opened in the lobby as well.
Plans are also being considered to expand the actual footprint of the building and the screening room.
"We're in the early stages right now," Chernove said.
He added that they're fortunate in the East Kootenay to have such a "healthy and robust" mix of travellers to draw the interest of air carriers to the region.
"We're not just tourists, or business travellers, or friends and family. We have students and health-care workers ... it's a good balance and that's important."
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