Words & Photos Victoria Airport Authority
Whether it’s a long-awaited vacation, a visit with family or a business trip to the mainland, travelling through Victoria International Airport (YYJ) is a familiar part of life for many of us on the Saanich Peninsula.
But getting through an airport isn’t the same experience for everyone. For passengers with mobility challenges, vision or hearing loss, autism or disabilities that aren’t immediately visible, getting through an airport can take a little more planning. At YYJ, the focus is on making that experience easier for all travellers.
“We want everyone who travels through YYJ to feel welcome, supported and confident,” says Elizabeth Brown, President and CEO of Victoria Airport Authority. “For us, accessibility is about understanding that everyone’s needs are different and doing what we can to make the journey a little easier.”
One of the airport’s most-used services is its Curbside Assistance Program. Since launching in 2021, the program has provided assistance more than 8,500 times, helping travellers with luggage, wheelchairs or guidance for those with vision loss. Staff can assist passengers from the departures curb to airline check-in, or from baggage claim to the curb when
they arrive.
The service is available 24/7 and can be booked in advance by calling 250-953-7511 or visiting yyj.ca. Travellers can also request assistance when they arrive by using the intercom button at the Curbside Assistance area near the departures entrance.
Inside the terminal, accessibility features range from automatic doors and lowered check-in counters to braille signage, accessible washrooms and hearing-loop technology for passengers with compatible hearing aids. The lower departure lounge also has an adult change table and hoist.
Not all disabilities are visible. At YYJ, passengers with non-visible disabilities can pick up a free lanyard through the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program. It lets airport staff know they may need extra time or assistance without having to explain their disability. More than 1,500 people working at the airport have been trained to recognize the lanyard and offer support when needed.
For travellers who prefer to plan ahead, YYJ’s interactive Airport Walkthrough offers a chance to explore the terminal before leaving home. Available through Google Maps, the virtual tour lets passengers familiarize themselves with the airport layout, locate facilities and get a better idea of what to expect on travel day.
The airport’s accessibility efforts have earned recognition in Canada and overseas.
In 2021, YYJ received Gold certification from the Rick Hansen Foundation, which evaluates how accessible buildings and public spaces are for people with disabilities. More recently, the airport received a Highly Commended distinction at the 2026 Travel For Every Body Awards in Manchester, England.
YYJ continues to work with accessibility advocates and community organizations to identify barriers and make travel easier for everyone. With plans to expand the terminal, the airport is also exploring new ways to improve accessibility, including the possibility of quiet spaces and new technology.
For passengers, these improvements can make a difference long before they board a plane. Whether it’s getting help at the curb, finding their way through the terminal or knowing what to expect before arriving, the aim is to take some of the worry out of travelling and let people focus on the adventures ahead.
