Aviation

As the location of British Columbia’s first ever flight, Richmond is now home to Canada’s 2^nd busiest airport, the Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Serving over 20 million passengers and over 300,000 tonnes of cargo annually, the airport is a major global link for both people and goods moving to and from Canada – as well as a catalyst for a strong local aviation sector.

Richmond companies cover the full sector spectrum, providing maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, advanced aviation technology, aircraft parts distribution, satellite communications, component manufacturing and air logistics for goods export and import.

Augmenting a skilled workforce for the industry, the British Columbia Institute of Technology’s Aerospace Technology Campus provides annual training to more than 1,000 students in all aspects of aircraft maintenance, engineering and flight training.

What’s New

Businesses moved record amount of air cargo through YVR in 2024

Rise in passengers, cargo, and new routes confirm YVR’s role as economic engine for B.C.

CEO of Iskwew Air receives excellence award at Richmond headquarters

Harbour Air commits to buying 50 electric engines for seaplane fleet

YVR reclaims top spot as Best Airport in North America

MDA Space named as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in 2024

Company Profiles

	McDonald Dettwiler & Associates Ltd (MDA) Well known for building the Canadarm for the U.S. Space Shuttle and International Space Station, MDA is one of Canada’s leading aerospace and information solutions providers with unique capabilities in earth observation and digital mapping. MDA was founded in 1969 and has over 4800 employees worldwide.
	Boeing Canada – Areoinfo Sytems, with over 100 full-time employees, is named one of B.C.’s top employers. Boeing Canada – Aeroinfo provides advanced technical solutions to enable airlines to manage aircraft maintenance and increase operational efficiency. The company also provides eLearning, systems, and business advisory services to customers including Air Canada, CHC Helicopters, China Airlines, Northwest Airlines and United Airlines. In 2016 Boeing opened its new Labs division in downtown Vancouver.
	Iskwew Air (ISS-KWAY-YO) is Canada’s first Indigenous woman-owned and operated airline. Iskwew provides reliable, all-weather24-hour charter services to communities around the province of British Columbia. Iskwew is based out of YVR and operates a twin engine PA31 Piper Navajo Chieftain called the Sweetgrass Warrior. In 2024, Teara Fraser, the CEO and founder of Iskwew Air was presented with an excellence trophy and award at Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
	AviaSim is the leader in flight simulation entertainment for the general public in Canada. Their professional-grade flight simulators also offers realistic flight experiences for students training in a flight school, pilots preparing for airline interviews, and for professional pilots who are maintaining qualifications. AviaSim carries simulators with more than 24,000 destinations and simulations sessions are accompanied by a professional flight instructor at all times.
	StandardAero – Helicopter Services Inc. An industry-leading, independent provider of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft operators around the globe. The Richmond operation leads the military, helicopters and energy business units, offering a 158,000 sq. ft. maintenance repair & overhaul facility, providing full-service support for numerous models and series of engines, gearboxes and fuel accessories. In 2017, Airbus sold Vector Aerospace to StandardAero.
	Heli-One Canada Heli-One is a leading independent helicopter MRO with certifications and expertise in a broad range of airframes and components from major helicopter and engine manufacturers, including Airbus, Sikorsky, Leonardo, Bell, Safran Helicopter Engines, Pratt & Whitney Canada and General Electric. Heli-One Richmond employs 290 people, operating in a 9000 sq. ft. space.
	Helijet International Inc. From a single helicopter and one route, Helijet has grown into a publicly traded company based in Richmond. With operations in Richmond, Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Prince Rupert and Haida Gwaii, Helijet’s fleet of medium and large helicopters, as well as medically-equipped & corporate Learjet, is maintained, flown and administered by a dedicated crew of over 100 employees.
	Pelesys Learning Systems Inc is a training solutions provider to airlines and airline training organizations. All Pelesys products and training solutions are designed using AICC and SCORM guidelines and have been approved for use in accordance with all regulatory agencies including JAR-OPS, FAA, CAA, CAAC, GCAA, and Transport Canada. In 2018 CAE acquired a minority stake in Pelesys.
	Pacific Coastal Airlines Pacific Coastal Airlines is a privately-owned, family run regional airline headquartered in Richmond at YVR. Pacific Coastal Airlines has over 275 employees, has 13 bases across B.C. and a fleet of 26 aircraft, including 9 float planes, flying to 17 airports to and from the coastal and interior regions of B.C.
	Harbour Air Seaplanes With over 30 years in business and more than 50 aircraft, Harbour Air and Westcoast Air have become the largest all-seaplane company in the world. Services now include frequent flights connecting Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Richmond, Sechelt, Comox and the Gulf Islands along with a wide selection of scenic adventure tours and private charters.

Search our Business Directory for a complete listing of all companies involved in Richmond’s aviation sector.

Workforce

Career opportunities in Richmond’s aerospace & aviation sector are varied and range from aircraft maintenance, component manufacturing, systems design, flight operations and airport administration. Local education programs, primarily those offered through the BCIT Aerospace Technology Campus, ensure that the local workforce is equipped with the skills necessary to continue to sustain and grow this sector. Research organizations are also readily available to connect industry with academia and applied research, allowing companies to use innovations to improve their processes or products and remain globally competitive. 

• British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) Aerospace Technology Campus
• University of the Fraser Valley (UFV)
• UBC Faculty of Applied Science – Engineering
• SFU School of Engineering Science

Research

• National Research Council Institute for Aerospace Research
• Mitacs
• Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)

Incentives

Government programs and incentives help aviation companies with production, marketing, exporting, innovation and financing. Here are some of the most popular programs.

Tax Credit for Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) provides incentives for Canadian companies that conduct Research & Development in Canada, through tax credits of up to 35% for experimental development, applied research, basic scientific research and certain types of technical support work.

Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) assists firms to develop, adopt and adapt technologies and incorporate them into competitive products and services to be commercialized in the global marketplace. IRAP provides advisory services and funding to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) undertake innovation projects.

Strategic Innovation Fund supports large-scale, transformative and collaborative projects that help position Canada to prosper in the global knowledge-based economy. It supports industrial transformation that will grow Canada’s global leadership position in sustainable aviation.

International Skilled Workers offers accelerated immigration for qualified skilled workers, experienced entrepreneurs and their family members who want to settle in B.C. and become permanent residents of Canada.

Innovative Solutions Canada helps companies bridge the pre-commercialization gap for their innovative goods and services within the federal government before taking them to market. Companies in the last stages of research and development are integrated into the Government of Canada’s procurement system and provided with testing, feedback and an opportunity to enter the marketplace with a successful application of their new goods or services.

Use our Funding Portal to search a database of all grants, loans and financing available to Aviation companies.

Industry Networks

Featured Industry Partner:
BC Aviation Council

With over 200 individual and corporate members, the BCAC represents almost all major aviation companies in the province. Also provides access to the most current aviation industry job openings and career opportunities.