General Guidelines & FAQ
In order to ensure everyone’s safety, we ask that you observe the following guidelines:
- All forms of weapons are prohibited. All persons, vehicles and hand carried items are subject to search while entering or exiting 19 Wing Comox.
- Narcotics, drug paraphernalia and alcohol are strictly prohibited.
- Absolutely no drones are permitted on and around the airfield. Transport Canada rules applies and offenders will be prosecuted.
- There is zero tolerance for fighting or protesting. Failure to follow the rules may result in prosecution and removal from the Air Show.
- Smoking and non-tobacco products (eg. e-cigarettes) are permitted in designated smoking areas only. Please note that cannabis is not permitted at the Air Show.
- There is enough grass space to accommodate several thousand people. And when you’re looking up, there’s not a bad seat in the house! Personal umbrellas and lawn chairs are welcome but large parasols and pop-up tents are not permitted. Large tents can easily be carried away by the wind, creating a safety hazard.
- In order to ensure that you enjoy the show as much as possible, attendees are encouraged to dress according to weather conditions.
- Seating will not be available at the show, so visitors are encouraged to bring a folding chair if they wish to sit.
- There will be a number of food vendors on the Air Show grounds in addition to a variety of static displays and information booths. These vendors will have both food and drink available for purchase. For those who wish to bring refreshments with them, patrons are permitted to bring food and non-alcoholic beverages so long as they are carried in a bag or soft-sided cooler only. Please be aware that all bags and carried items are subject to search by gate security staff and additional wait times will occur.
- Open liquid containers will not be accepted through security checks, you can buy beverages onsite or bring empty water containers which can be filled at FREE water refills points onsite.
- Shaded areas are rare at any Air Show. Please plan accordingly and be sure to bring sunscreen and hats. It may at times be noisy so consider bringing ear protection too.
Prohibited Items:
- Weapons (including, but not limited to knives, firearms, explosives, bio/radiological substances)
- Scanners
- 2-Way Radios
- Coolers (larger than 2 Gallons) unless medically required
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Large Backpacks
- Narcotics and Paraphernalia
- Camera Bags (larger than 1 cubic foot)
- Pop up Tents
- Roller Blades, Skates, Skateboards, (kick and electric) scooters
- Pets (service animals are admitted with hosts)
Permitted Items:
- Children’s wagons (non-motorized)
- Small Cooler (smaller than 2 gallons)
- Food and unopened beverage (non-alcoholic)
- Standard Backpack
- Fanny Packs / Purses
- Cell / Smart phone
- Camera Bags (smaller than 1 cubic foot)
- Diaper Bags
- Folding Chairs and Lawn Chairs
- Collapsible strollers
- Wheelchairs
- Hand Held Umbrellas
- Handicap Authorized Scooters Only
FAQ
What is the ticket price?
We are delighted to provide this high-class event for 2024 at no cost. Free admission for all patrons. But please be aware that we are set to accommodate 20,000 people Once capacity is met no further admittance will be allowed. Come early to ensure entrance.
Can I take public transit to come to the show?
We highly encourage people to take public transit to reach the site. BC Transit is providing an Air Show shuttle service that is free to the public in celebration of the RCAF Centennial.
Two routes are available; starting at 8:30 a.m., buses will leave Comox Mall and North Island College every 15 minutes to drop visitors off at the Air Show gates.
The Air Show gates are located on Military Row, behind the Heritage Air Park, across from Glacier Gardens Arena. Upon arrival at the gates, guests will clear the security screening check point and proceed to the static displays, viewing areas, and information booth.
Return trips will be available until 6:00 p.m.
Residents are encouraged to walk, bike or carpool to the Air Show shuttle service exchange, while visitors from away can park at Comox Mall or North Island College.
Details here.
Driving to the Air Show?
All Air Show traffic will travel to 19 Wing Comox via Point Holmes, using Knight Road. This route will be slow moving, with heavy traffic, but it will be clear of parked vehicles, and will have a temporary washroom and rest area at Point Homes.
All motorized vehicles that arrive via a bridge crossing – 17th Street, 5th Street, or Piercy Road (Veterans Memorial Parkway) will be directed to Ryan Road and Lerwick Road. As Lerwick turns to Guthrie Road, Air Show traffic will join up with vehicles using Anderton Road, proceeding on Guthrie Road, and turning left onto Lazo Road. This road becomes Knight Road as motorist pass the Point Holmes temporary rest area.
Vehicles will turn right off Knight Road, following the access road to Glacier Greens Golf Course. Parking attendants will direct traffic to designated parking areas within the airfield. Guests with mobility challenges will be directed to an accessible parking area that is nearest the security screening check point and maintains travel on a paved surface.
Parking opens at 8:00 a.m. and will be closed at 1:00 p.m., or when the lot is full.
All vehicles arriving from Comox will use Lazo Road. Prichard Road, traveling towards 19 Wing Comox, will be closed to Air Show traffic as it will serve as the official bike route from Comox.
Will there be shuttles available for those with limited mobility to get from the parking areas to the entrance gates?
A limited number of disabled parking spaces will be reserved close to the entrance gates for Air Show guests with a valid disabled parking placard. Once parked, you can either make your way to the entrance gate on your own, or flag down one of the many golf carts passing through the parking area. Golf carts do not constitute a shuttle service, and will be available on a first come, first served basis only. Please keep in mind once a golf cart is requested, it may take several minutes for one to pick you up; we appreciate your patience as we work to serve all Air Show guests equally.
I would like to ride my bike to the Air Show. What is the best route?
Active transportation corridors have been established to facilitate safer cycling routes. Ryan Road – from Lerwick to Military Row – will be dedicated to cycling traffic, and in Comox, Pritchard will serve as the main bike route to Military Row.
The Comox Valley Cycling Coalition will greet cyclist at the Air Show gates located next to the Heritage Air Park, across from Glacier Gardens Arena. Military Row is closed to vehicle traffic but will be busy with pedestrians, local area traffic, and BC Transit buses that are providing special Air Show shuttle services. Gates will open at 8:30 a.m.
Knight Road between Anderton Road and the Comox Valley Airport will be closed to cyclists.
Volunteers from the Comox Valley Cycling Coalition will provide a free bike valet, a valued service they provide while aiming to encourage cycling as an effective, economical, healthy and environmentally friendly mode of transportation.
Cyclists are asked to avoid the Air Show vehicle traffic route – Lazo Road and Knight Road – as the vehicle traffic is expected to be slow moving and potentially hazardous in narrow sections.
Bikes will be secured at the bike valet before guests will proceed to the security screening check point.
Will there be a place to lock up my bike at the front gate?
We encourage those wishing to take alternate forms of transportation to the Air Show to do so. As a way of making this initiative more accessible and easier, bike racks will be positioned near the bus gate to the show. Please visit the site map on the website to locate the bike area. Please feel free to lock up your bike and enjoy the show with the peace of mind in knowing that your bike is safe and secure.
Plan for your comfort
The footprint of the Comox Air Show is extensive – it’s an airfield! Guest should be prepared to do a lot of walking among the static displays, viewing areas, washrooms, water stations, information booths and merchandise, souvenir, and food truck areas.
St. John Ambulance medical first response volunteers will be on hand to provide basic first aid and help reduce the risk of injury for Air Show guests. The viewing areas include grassy terrain as well as asphalt surfaces so appropriate footwear is critical. Guests should consider using hearing protection and bringing portable seating, as the air demonstrations will be loud, and seating will not be available. Remember, there are no covered areas on an airfield, so guests should prepare to be exposed to the weather of the day!
Will there be ATMs on site?
Yes. BMO will be joining us on site and there will be ATMs. Service charges may apply
Is it possible to fly a recreational/personal aircraft into 19 Wing Comox for the Air Show?
Unfortunately no, there is no plan to allow visitors or spectators to arrive at the Air Show by airplane.
Are telephoto camera lenses authorized during the Comox Air Show?
During the Comox Air Show, personal camera equipment, including long range telephoto lenses will not be restricted. Attendees are reminded to always stay within prescribed viewing areas, and to respect the boundaries of fellow Air Show spectators. Visitors to the Comox Air Show are encouraged to enjoy the show as much as possible but to always keep safety at the top of their minds.
May I bring my pets with me to the Comox Air Show?
Unfortunately we are not permitting visitors to bring their pets with them to the Air Show. If visiting the area from out of town, we encourage you to leave your pets at home with a neighbour, friend or to an accredited and trusted kennel service and to not leave them in your parked vehicle. Service animals are permitted so long as they have proper markings and/or identification.
Visitors from the Sunshine Coast
BC Ferries travellers will be affected by the Comox Air Show on Saturday, May 18 as the major routes from Little River into the Comox Valley will be restricted to facilitate the flow of Air Show traffic. Routes will be open for local area, but Air Show traffic should be prepared to travel down Anderton Road through to Guthrie Road to join the traffic using Lazo and Knight Roads to the parking areas adjacent to Glacier Greens Golf Course. Parking attendants will direct traffic to designated parking areas within the airfield. Guests with mobility challenges will be directed to an accessible parking area that is nearest the security screening check point and maintains travel on a paved surface.
Passengers who walk on the ferry may take BC Transit Route 11 to the Air Show, following the regular schedule and fares.
Air Show guests arriving by ferry with their bikes will use the designated cycling route along Ryan Road to Military Row. Volunteers from the Comox Valley Cycling Coalition will provide a free bike valet behind the Heritage Air Park, and once bikes are secured, guests will proceed to the security screening check point.
The return trip to Little River ferry terminal for pedestrians will require taking the Air Show shuttle service back to the North Island College exchange and then connect with Route 11 on its way out of Courtenay; regular fares apply.
What’s happening at YQQ during the Air Show?
Passenger flights to and from YQQ are occurring as normal on May 18, but passengers are being asked to plan and allow for extra time as numerous road closure are in place to facilitate Air Show travel. The best route to access YQQ is Knight Road. It has been closed to Air Show traffic, including cyclist, to ensure it’s the easiest route for YQQ passenger drop off or pick up.
To pass through traffic control points with ease, print off a Passenger Pass, available at ComoxAirport.com. Whether using ride share, transit, taxi, or your own vehicle, the roads around YQQ may be very busy, so plan to arrive early. Allow extra time to ensure things go smoothly. Note that passengers will be bussing between the YQQ terminal building and their departing aircraft, as the area around the terminal, including the taxi way, will be filled with excited Air Show guests!
Where can vendors go for information about becoming involved in the Comox Air Show?
The Comox Air Show appreciates this event is a unique opportunity to showcase and highlight a number of local and regional businesses, and thanks all vendor requests for their interest in becoming involved. The primary goal of the Comox Air Show is to put on a world class Air Show and to invite the local communities to interact with our military team. In order to reach our goal, our plan is to focus on delivering and enabling services which will enhance the air display experience for all spectators. For this year’s show, we will not be hosting any vendors outside those who provide food services or are directly linked to the Department of National Defence.