Cranbrook/Canadian Rockies International Airport

Cranbrook/Canadian Rockies International Airport is an international airport located 5 NM north of Cranbrook and 20 km south-east of Kimberley, British Columbia, in the Canadian Rockies.

It is owned by the City of Cranbrook and operated by Elevate Airports Inc. Runway 16/34 is an 8000 by asphalt runway with a category 1 instrument landing system capable of guiding aircraft down to 200 ft in 1/2 mi of visibility. The terminal building covers 23000 sqft. In 2008, YXC served over 106,277 passengers and in 2010 had 15,060 aircraft movements. In 2017 YXC served 134,455 passengers, peaked in 2018 serving 184,973 passengers and in 2022 has rebounded from a low of 56,901 passengers during the covid-19 pandemic to serve 138,700 passengers, a 145% increase year over year from 2021. The airport is operated 24 hours a day by the Cranbrook Flight Service Station.

It is classified as an airport of entry by Nav Canada and is staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). CBSA officers at this airport can handle general aviation aircraft only, with no more than 15 passengers. With prior notice, CBSA officers are able to handle commercial aircraft with up to 50 passengers, cost recovery is in effect for handling commercial aircraft.

Accidents and incidents
On February 11, 1978 Flight 314, a Pacific Western Airlines 737-200 on a scheduled flight from Edmonton, via Calgary and Cranbrook, to Castlegar Airport crashed at Cranbrook Airport. The aircraft crashed after thrust reversers did not fully stow following a rejected landing that was executed in order to avoid a snowplow. The crash killed 42 of the 49 people on board.