About YYJ

YYJ is the 11th busiest airport in Canada with almost 2 million passengers per year. A consistent award winner, YYJ has been rated one of the top ten most-loved airports in the world by CNN Travel and was recognised with the following awards: Top 100 Employer in BC (2020, 2021 and 2022); Airport Service Quality – Best Airport by Size and Region (North America); Best Hygiene Measures in North America; Excellence in Airport Concessions; and Most Efficient Airport with under 5 Million Passengers in North America. More than a transportation centre, YYJ is also source of pride for residents in the region and an economic catalyst and business generator for southern Vancouver Island as a while. 

The airport itself is situated approximately 25km north of British Columbia’s capital city – Victoria. The drive to or from the airport takes visitors past the resort town of Sidney-by-the-Sea, the countryside of North Saanich, and the Districts of Central Saanich and Saanich. The terminal is small enough to be ultra convenient and yet modern, as extensive improvements and upgrades have been completed over the last 5-10 years. 

VAA is a not-for-profit authority that manages, operates, and develops YYJ in a safe, secure, efficient, and financially responsible manner on behalf of the surrounding communities. VAA develops airport land, expands transportation facilities, and generates economic activity in ways that are compatible with air transportation. Since the Federal Government transferred the responsibility for management and operation of YYJ to VAA in 1997, $226m has been spent in airport infrastructure, with projects including terminal expansions, road realignment, apron expansions, parking expansions, and more.