Trail’s unique regional airport

The Trail Regional Airport, run by volunteers, supports the transportation needs of the ever-growing development in the area

In the West Kootenay along the Columbia River lies Trail—a city with access to endless outdoor pursuits, a renowned ski hill and plenty of development.

The community, situated close to the American border, is hopping with projects and new business opportunities. It is home to the Waneta Dam, which is currently under expansion, and the Teck lead-zinc smelter, which began as a copper- and gold-smelting operation in 1896.

Currently, Greater Trail has well over a $1 billion worth of projects in progress.

Both the Trail Regional Airport and the West Kootenay Regional Airport serve the commercial and recreational travellers going to and from the region.

The Trail Regional Airport , located just south of Trail, accommodates business, personal aircraft and charters, and is uniquely different from other airports in that it is run by volunteers. The airport is a busy one too. Pacific Coastal Airlines has just increased its flight schedule.

Don Nutini, a longtime volunteer and resident of Trail, said that this has made a huge difference to travellers.

“We have increased from two flights per day to three flights to Vancouver,” said Nutini. “There are now two 19-passenger flights in the morning and afternoon, and at night there is a 30-passenger flight.”

Not your average group of volunteers

The volunteer effort to operate the airport came about in an attempt to diversify business in the area—to depart from being a single-industry town. Nutini said that when the Lower Columbia Community Development Team (LCCDT) was formed, the group identified that increasing the reliability of the air service to the area was paramount.

Nutini said that as a result, volunteers were organized to operate the airport on a day-to-day basis. Nutini schedules the six volunteers, and being one himself, he knows the airport and its operations inside and out. The other volunteers are all, in one way or another, drawn to anything aircraft related.

Nutini feels his connection is through the Medevac operations associated with the local hospital. Formerly the chair of the hospital committee, he knows first-hand how important these flights are. Over 100 Medevac flights were necessary in 2011.

Nutini said the other five Regional District Kootenay Boundary volunteers share daily shifts and responsibilities at the airport. They are trained in Transport Canada regulations; they direct information to pilots and provide general assistance if needed.

“We wouldn't be there if we didn't enjoy it,” said Nutini.

Appreciative of the great service

Nutini thinks very highly of Pacific Coastal Airlines, which first flew out of Trail in 2006.

“They are a family-operated business and dealing with them has been a joy since Day 1,” said Nutini. “Pacific Coastal has given us great service and we have received incredible feedback from travellers.”

Future recommendations for the Trail Regional Airport include airport improvements, runway expansion and possibly a new terminal in the next five or six years.

“We are satisfying our regional intent for economic development,” said Nutini.