Smithers Airport

Smithers Airport is 2 NM north of Smithers, British Columbia, Canada.

History
A Yukon Airways and Exploration landing at Sproule's Ranch in 1928 was the first airplane arrival in the vicinity. This field was used for several years.

In 1929, the Board of Trade purchased the Ed Hill Ranch a few miles south of Smithers, calling it the Smithers Aviation Park, comprising a 1200 ft runway. With financial assistance from the Department of National Defence, the project was completed in 1933. Owing to size limitations, the Department of National Defence rebuilt at the present location in 1942.

Designated RCAF & D of T Aerodrome - Smithers, British Columbia at 54.81667°N, -127.15°W with a variation of 29 degrees E and elevation of 1710 ft, the aerodrome was listed as having one runway as follows:

After the war, the airport transferred to civilian use. In 1955, the runway was extended to 5000 ft, and a new terminal opened in 1970. The Department of Transport transferred airport ownership to the town in 1999. Previously served by older generation Boeing 737 aircraft from the 1980s, an extension to 7544 ft in 2008 accommodates regional aircraft and other airplanes, as large as the Boeing 737.

Completed in 2018, phase one of a four-phase terminal expansion increased energy efficiency and provided a 150-passenger lounge. Formerly with a 54-seating capacity, later phases of the $8m project will increase building space.

As of 2020, runway data are as follows:

NavCanada
NavCanada operates a Flight Service Station at Smithers Airport. Staffed hours of operations were cut on April 8, 2010 from 24 hours a day to 13 hours in the winter and 16 hours in the summer.

Staffed hours of operation:
 * June 1 - September 30, 1300-0500 UTC
 * October 1 - May 31, 1500-0400 UTC (1400-0300 UTC during daylight saving time)