Located just 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver, Boundary Bay Airport is one of Canada's busiest airports with approximately 200,000 takeoffs and landings every year.

The airport is owned by the Corporation of Delta who transferred the operational responsibility for the airport to Alpha Aviation Inc. on December 1, 2004. Alpha Aviation has exciting plans for the rehabilitation of the airport and the development of the airport lands.

History

The Boundary Bay Airport was constructed during World War Two when it became evident that the war would be won through air superiority. As the conflict escalated overseas, the largest single aviation program in history was initiated-the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. To this end, Boundary Bay was chosen as a site to train pilots. It was remote enough from the action of war, in close proximity to varied terrain, enjoyed unlimited airspace conducive for flight training, and near ample industrial infrastructure.

Runway and building construction began December 6, 1940 followed by the opening ceremony, July 2, 1941, attended by Prime Minister W.L. McKenzie King and 5000 observers. All three runways were eventually operational by the end of 1942 in the classic BCATP triangular aerodrome style, so that aircraft could takeoff and land independent of wind direction.

The No.18 Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) was established utilizing the De Havilland Tiger Moth biplanes. With the ensuing panic following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the airport transformed into a Home War Aerodrome, accommodating the first operational fighter squadron of Hawker Hurricanes which arrived from Lethbridge. These aircraft were tasked with protecting the city, ports, and the surrounding wartime industrial complexes of Vancouver.

As the Pacific War intensified, the airport served as headquarters for the No. 5 Operational Training Unit-a unit so large that a detachment at Abbotsford was eventually required. With the goal of training bombers for overseas missions, the airport hosted B-24 Liberators and B-25 Mitchell bombers. To facilitate bomber maneuvering exercises and gunner shooting drills, aircraft such as the P-40 Kittyhawk and the Bolingbroke bombers were utilized to chase and tow shooting targets.

After WWII the airport was no longer needed and was decommissioned by the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1946 with control of the site assumed by the Army. The site was subsequently transferred to the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals in 1949, to operate communication and signal gathering intelligence. After the downsizing of the Canadian Armed Forces in 1971, the airport was closed.

Administrative and management responsibility was turned over to Transport Canada in 1972 and the airport was subsequently used for a variety of non-aviation related activities such as car racing, driver training, mobile home construction, radio controlled flying, dog shows, and agriculture.

When it became apparent that the Vancouver International Airport (CYVR) could no longer sustain both general aviation and commercial traffic, Transport Canada proposed reactivating the nearby Boundary Bay Airport (CZBB) for general aviation and flight training purposes. A series of studies examining airspace and capacity problems at the CYVR ensued. The Boundary Bay Airport eventually underwent restoration and reopened on July 11, 1983 with two active runways.

Since 1983, the terminal building was developed, as well as a complex housing maintenance hangars and offices, T-Hangars for private aircraft storage, and portable buildings to accommodate the flying schools. Traffic growth, attributable to flight training, steadily increased throughout the period between 1994 and 2001. Based on aircraft movements, the Boundary Bay Airport solidified its position as the busiest general aviation airport in Canada and is often among the top five busiest of all Canadian airports. In the summer of 1996 the airport welcomed Canada's first International Formula One Pylon Air Race.

Over the years, the airport has morphed from a strategic war asset to a potential strategic economic generator for the community of Delta and the province of British Columbia. In relieving general aviation traffic from CYVR, the international airport will have greater capacity to handle increased overseas traffic volumes. And, unlike many airports, the Boundary Bay Airport is not bounded by incompatible local development thus permitting possible future growth. As it is situated ideally to key routes such as the BC Rail mainline and the main road artery to the US border, it is also a potential multi-modal traffic hub-providing a central transportation exchange point for travelers in transit, and for goods imported and exported.

It is the goal of the Boundary Bay Airport to retain its historical significance in it's pursuit to be an integral part of the local community. On May 7, 2005, the "Hurricane" Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron dedicated a cenotaph remembering the RCAF station at the Boundary Bay Airport. This important monument now stands on the north side of the Heritage Hangar. Alpha Aviation Inc. proudly acquired the airport on December 1, 2004 and is determined to preserve its rich history for many years to come.

Boundary Bay Airport   

Address: Unit #48 4400-72nd Street, Delta, BC
Canada V4K 5B3

Tel: (604) 946 5361
Fax: (604) 946 2131

Or from outside BC:
Tel: 1 (866) 946 2922
Fax: 1 (866) 946 2131

Email: zbb at dccnet com

URL: http://www.czbb.com

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