Of the many events Air Highways Magazine covered
in recent years, two stand out with respect to the
greening of Canada's airports. At the Union of BC Municipalities Convention, a project that caught my eye was "Communities in Bloom"... an idea that has its roots in Hamilton, Ontario. " So why not Airports in Bloom," we said, "with an Air Highways Award for Airport Beautification?”
At the Globe '98 Conference on Business and the Environment, over12,000 highly charged individuals from 50 nations pooled their ideas. Hearing of our network of air gateways as distribution points for our magazines, Globe's Dr. Rashmi Mayur, Ph.D. invited me to speak on "The Green Airport: Agora of the Future" at a World Ecological Conference in India.

While Dr. Mayur favors Ecotourism, he says our true goal should be Eco-Travel. "Today's airport must be a true part of the community... a people place... an agora. Many are the exact opposite; unfriendly, claustrophobic, intimidating, expensive, noisy, wasteful and inconvenient," says Dr. Mayur. Airports should be the epitome of user friendliness... each being a gateway to trade and tourism. First impressions count... you may never get a second chance.

 Several BC airports are
leading the way. Victoria International's new terminal design brings the outside in. Nanaimo Airport provides year round recreation for airline staff, pilots and passengers with a golf course adjacent to the runway. As columnist Michael Blumel stated, "One of the often forgotten success stories is Nanaimo Airport. The not-for-profit commission was incorporated less than eight years ago and it assumed total control of the airport in April, 1992. It has representatives from the city of Nanaimo, the regional district, the Town of Ladysmith and the chamber.

I use the airport a lot for business reasons and I have witnessed firsthand how it has evolved. Remember the days when we had portables acting as ticket offices? Will anyone ever forget the outhouse serving locals and visitors alike? Well, the airport has come a long way, as has Nanaimo and the surrounding district. Now passengers can enjoy a new departure room, a much improved Connections Cafe and ample parking.

The new airline service to Abbotsford, providing low cost connection to Alberta (via Westjet), is a welcome addition to the existing service to Vancouver. Talk is still progressing on having a Nanaimo-Victoria-Seattle connection sometime in the future. Investments in new technology and equipment and have made it easier and safer to land at the airport in foul weather."

Third Annual Nanaimo Airport Golf Tournament: September 11, 1999 Cottonwood Golf Course, located along the northeast edge of the Nanaimo Airport runway. This 9-hole best-ball tourney will be played as a "Texas scramble" with prizes for lowest team score, closest to the pin, longest drive and closest to the line. For those flying in for the event, you can taxi your aircraft right up to the golf course ... just ask flight service to direct you to Taxi way 'G' upon landing. Last year's event was very well attended ... so register early to reserve your spot!!

Nanaimo Airport's Fairway Getaway 2-day Golf Package

NANAIMO 2-DAY GOLF GETAWAY. Looking for quick and affordable escape to the links? The Nanaimo Golf Getaway may be just what you're looking for!! This unique and extremely flexible two-day golf package offers you 18 holes of golf at Cottonwood Golf Course (conveniently located on Nanaimo Airport), 18 holes at Fairwinds Golf Course, one night accommodation (double occupancy) and two days car rental (unlimited kilometers) for just CDN$169.99. Call Travel 2 Destinations at 250-246-2828 and ask for Garnet.

BC Aviation Council's 61st Annual Convention -  Sept 23-25 - will be held at the Coast Bastion Hotel in Nanaimo. It will be the first chance for many to see the remarkable changes that have taken place on Nanaimo's Waterfront. It is truly a class location and a great place to shop. We will give you the full schedule soon. In the meantime, contact Jerry Lloyd at 604.278.9330 for advance registration, exhibit space, accommodation packages and information.

For details on Nanaimo, contact Airport Manager Mark Lawson (photo and biography to come shortly), http://www.island.net/~ycd . P.O.E. Box 149, 3350 Spitfire Road, Casey BC, V0R 1H. E-mail: ycd@island.net Tel: (250) 245-2157 Fax: (250) 245-4308

Escape border blues... thanks to new CANPASS Private Aircraft extending border services There's no lack of places to go and things to do inside city limits. The extended Sea walk, beach combing, parks, historic sights, museums, unique shops and cafes are part of the action... or how about snorkeling with the seals, exploring old mines and caves, or a moonlight kayak trip by Newcastle Island? For a Free Visitors Package. Fax 250-245-4308.

The world's scuba divers are discovering British Columbia's Adventure Islands and the Inside Passage. We see evidence every time we visit airport such as Nanaimo and Port Hardy.

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