The airport has a big vision.
Photo: Sebastian Canary
oliver airport
Oliver Airport plans to expand commercial flights and offer tour packages for tourists in the coming years.
On Monday morning, the Airport Advisory Committee tweaked Oliver Airport’s 2024 Master Plan, which sets out land use and development for the next 10 years.
The plan calls for the airport to be “the premier regional airfield in the South Okanagan region” and to increase the use of its runways.
The town first plans to widen the existing runway from 15 meters to 23 meters to accommodate larger planes. It also plans to develop a reserve for future taxiway additions.
Currently, the airport is primarily used by commercial aircraft, including emergency response teams and government operations.
Operations Economics’ presentation focused on the airport’s business model and potential future tourism opportunities.
City Councilor Amy Grice praised the project’s tour package.
“I think it’s very interesting and could bring money to our town,” Grace said. “We might have someone fly in from Calgary for the day and go to the wine village.”
One tour package flies a small tour group from Vancouver or Calgary to Oliver Airport, where travelers can visit wineries and the Nkumip Desert Cultural Center. Another proposed package would offer sightseeing tours from the air.
The three main activities and leasing opportunities for the airport going forward are tourism and indigenous peoples, aviation and aerospace, and fire training/response.
The master plan will be submitted to Town Council for a vote on April 22nd.
