The
Abbotsford Ariport (YXX) is the gateway to the Fraser Valley where
diversity takes off and lands connecting Canadians from around our
country. Half a million
passengers use YXX and 2016 is proving to be the strongest year yet. It
seems like whenever I look into the horizon there is a Westjet flight
in the area. Having traveled through the airport on many occasions my
preference for most of my Canadian travel destination
is YXX if the connections can be made. Leading the way is Parm Sidhu,
Airport General Manager, who has worked for the city for the past 21
years forecasts a bright future for our growing airport.
Sidhu,
who is an Abbotsford Senior grad has worked in several jobs within the
city since in 1995 like: Skate sharpener, Ice Man, Airport Duty Officer
and Terminal
Manager, just to name a few. He explains, having a competitive
business model is the key to the airport world, which is changing fast
due to technology. He said, “keeping up on general technology trends
impacting airlines/passengers, airports and aerospace
companies is a challenge, as what works in our industry today, may not
work tomorrow.”
There
is a growing diverse culture at YXX, which is a reflection of the 1,500
people that work on the airfield, 16 work directly for the airport and
the balance
for the partners on the field. Partnerships are the key as growth in
the surrounding communities continues, especially in the Southern region
of the Fraser, as Sidhu mentions. Currently, they are three major
carriers that workout of YXX to service travellers.
Close
to 75 million has been invested since 1997, and one of the short-term
goals are to secure more daily domestic service to Ontario and then to
attract more
international service from YXX.
As
the population continues to grow south of the Fraser, YXX is positioned
well for growth, with goals to attract new flights including daily
year-round service
to Ontario as well as trans-border and international flights. Also,
if you ever get to visit or drop off travelers at YXX you’ll find the
experience to be first class right from the ticket personal, security
and the janitors. Walking through the terminal
you will also find a hidden gem located near the Westjet ticket office,
the Water Clock that once was home at Sevenoaks from 1991 to 2000.
Speaking about diversity, an interesting program is held every March out
of YXX for young girls and women to meet outstanding
females in the aviation and aerospace industry and free flights are
offered for eligible candidates called: “The Skies No Limit- Girls Fly
Too”. The Abbotsford Airshow, will be held from August 11-13 next year and is always a wonderful opportunity to meet
experts in the field from across the globe.
Sidhu
said, “It’s been an amazing journey, it’s truly been a great
partnership with the employer that has invested in me and allowed me to
grow my career in
the town I grew up in. It’s truly been a partnership.”
