2012-The Anahim Lake Airport is a year-round airport with a 3,950 foot long runway and fuel facilities serving the West Chilcotin area. Scheduled service to Anahim Lake is provided by Pacific Coastal Airlines. Anahim Lake and the surrounding West Chilcotin region is remote, rural and accessible only by Highway 20 or by air and the airport provides essential transportation infrastructure for the area. Numerous tourism operators in the West Chilcotin region depend heavily on the airport for the delivery of goods and people.
In 2010, the airport experienced 1,415 movements, multiple private and charter flights, 19 medevac flights and use by RCMP and the BC Forest Service to fight interface wildfires. The Cariboo Regional District recognized the importance of the Anahim Lake Airport, and partnered with Towns For Tomorrow and Northern Development on an airport improvement project.
This project involved the construction of a terminal building and paving up to 700 feet of the existing gravel runway. The terminal building will improve the service levels at the airport resulting in increased use of the airport by community residents, visitors, tourism operators, medical personnel, the RCMP and other user groups. The terminal will also provide office space and a lounge area available for personnel during emergencies such as forest fires and medical evacuations. The paved runway will allow for safer winter landings and increased passenger carrying capacity year-round.
