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Abbotsford
Airport's Transport Canada Centre
serves Mighty Fraser Country
T he
new Abbotsford TCC is home to 13 employees, and serves
aviation clients in the Fraser Valley from Boundary Bay to
Hope. According to a recent department statement, "Transport
Canada continues to evolve to meet the challenges of the
next century. Our mission is to develop and administer
policies, regulations and services for the best possible
transportation system, The Department is commercializing
many of its operational activities, overhauling
transportation policy, streamlining regulations, reducing
subsidies and cutting overhead. The Department no longer
owns, operates or subsidizes large parts of the
transportation system. The role of the new Transport Canada
is to oversee the transportation system, developing
up-to-date, relevant transportation policies and legislation
and maintaining a high level of safety and security. This
encompasses transportation activities in marine, rail, air
and road sectors.
These services are delivered through
ten Transport Canada Centres. (TCC's) and a Regional
Headquarters in Pacific Region. The role of Transport Canada
is to ensure that Canada's transportation system is one of
the safest in the world and able to support trade, tourism
and job creation by bolstering Canada competitiveness in
domestic and international markets.
A
Capital Idea! Victoria's 25 minutes
away
Airspeed Aviation of Abbotsford found the right niche in
the BC passenger transportation market, when it first
addressed the growing need for fast, direct air connections
between Vancouver Island, namely Victoria, and the Fraser
Valley. With some 700,000 residents living closer to
Abbotsford Airport than YVR in Vancouver, their point has
been proven over and over again in recent years. Airspeed
Aviation operates Monday through Friday -- and on Sunday
afternoons. Departures from Abbotsford are at 7.30 am and
4.30 pm. From Victoria, the flights are at 8.30 am and 5.20
pm. The owner is John Giesbrecht. For reservations call the
following numbers. In Abbotsford 852 9245. In Victoria
655-4300.
Fraser
Valley's Tradex Exhibition Centre
attracts 200,000
. .
Show
Managers, Meeting and Event Planners all do business with
us, bringing their trade and consumer shows, meetings,
receptions, and many other special events to Abbotsford.
Bringing new business to Your business.
To find our more, call 850-1533. Web site: www.fvtradex.com
Airport
Manager Curtis Grad looks
ahead
. ...................................................
....Airport
Manager Curtis Grad, who
assumed his new position in June, 1999, sees a rosy future
for Abbotsford Airport. He is excited about its capacity for
larger aircraft, and his marketing "crystal ball" envisions
charters to points near and far, plus transborder service
via US carriers. WestJet is already bringing in 737s and the
airport could handle 747s in the future.
Curtis expects
much more action on the airport's undeveloped east side, an
open door for new manufacturing, warehousing and service
businesses. A native of Saskatchewan, Mr. Grad has been
active in the management end of the aviation/airport
industry for over a decade at Victoria, Regina, Pitt Meadows
and Abbotsford (a previous assignment). He was Nanaimo's
Airport Manager for the past three years (Operations Manager
for 1 1/2 years prior to that). His excellent record speaks
for itself. Curtis Grad is past President of INAC,
International Northwest Aviation Council, with members from
many Western States, Provinces and Territories.
Basic details:
Abbotsford
Airport, located 3.2km (2 miles) from the city center, is
capable of handling the largest commercial aircraft, and is
fully equipped for instrument landing. The airport caters to
private and scheduled air traffic, domestic and
international flights, and acts as an alternative to the
Vancouver International Airport. The facility has two
runways of approximately 2,440 meters (8,000 feet) and 1,600
meters (5,273 feet) in length, with night operation
available on the longest runway. The control tower is in
operation 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and the Flight Service
Station operates 24 hours per day. Commuter air shuttle
service is operated by
Airspeed Aviation (604-852-9245)
to Victoria, Monday to Friday; the company also offers
charter flights throughout North America. A number of other
companies offer charter services by plane or
helicopter.
The Airport has industrial land for lease to aviation and
non-aviation businesses. For details,
contact:
Curtis Grad,
Airport Manager, Abbotsford Airport
(604) 855-1001, Fax: (604) 855-1066
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