Airport is an important part of the Kootenay region’s future

Tristen Chernove knows firsthand the contribution an airport makes to the regional economy. He is heavily involved with airport management around B.C. and across Canada. He sits on provincial and federal aviation councils. He's also got loads of international experience, after consulting and working at airports in the UK, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Cyprus.

For the last five years he's been running things at Canadian Rockies International Airport (YXC) as airport manager, alongside operations manager Jamie Roche, financial manager Krystal Porter and nine staff.

Canadian Rockies International Airport (YXC), “is the primary catalyst we have to support the growth that we need,” in the Kootenay region, he said in a recent interview.

The airport is an important asset not only for getting tourists, businesspeople and students here, but also for moving cargo in and out and providing medical transportation for the regional hospital.

Potential for growth

Calgary International Airport recently underwent a multi-billion-dollar expansion includes North America's longest runway and a new tower that reflects an investment in cargo. This expansion could provide spill-over opportunities for YXC, as reflected in the planned 52-acre aviation and industrial park on land adjacent to the airport. The development is an important step in maintaining YXC's influence in the Kootenay region.

Chernove said he “keeps an eye on what the demands in the global cargo industry are."

If costs are too high for some carriers, they may opt to look elsewhere to land cargo.

"Maybe there are some pieces that make more sense to arrive here, depending on their final destination. We're not all that far from Calgary and we are an inter-modal hub location connecting great highway, rail and air together,” said Chernove.

His vision is that YXC could support several air cargo companies that distribute goods and products flown into the Canadian Rockies International Airport.

Chernove planned to study sports medicine and wound up being Superintendent of Airside Operations and Emergency Response Services and finally Operations Manager at Vancouver International Airport.

"The challenges, opportunities and diversity are no less exciting at the regional level," he said.