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The City of Abbotsford, represented by Mayor George Ferguson, and the Abbotsford Airport Authority, now directed by Herman Driediger, pledged to fully develop the airport's potential. Driediger's optimism is justified by the airport's history and location in the heart of a large, growing population centre, with the Trans Canada Highway bringing visitors, new business and development to the airport's very doorstep. Having earned world recognition for the Abbotsford International Airshow and Aerospace North America, the stage was set. As Herman Driediger expected, virtually overnight, Abbotsford Airport was on its way to becoming a successful, passenger gateway, with a brand new air terminal completed in record time -- and on budget. He had little doubt that this cause and effect situation would also be a magnet for general aviation and light industry. In addition to increased action on the airport property, such as the Conair Group's multi-million dollar complex, all one needs to do is drive down Mt. Lehman Road and spot the warehouses and commercial development springing up like wildflowers on the airport's perimeter. At the Trans Canada Highway's Mt. Lehman exit, are some further signs of important moves afoot, affected by the airport's strategic position. Much of that action has happened in three short years. Speak of positioning -- a glance at any map of the 100 mile stretch from Vancouver to Hope reveals that over 700,000 Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley residents are within the airport's marketing area, According to recent studies, that figure represents the number of persons who live closer to Abbotsford Airport than its biggest competitor, Vancouver International Airport. Just drive east from Vancouver any time and you'll see what we mean -- wall to wall cars. Small wonder, so many inbound and outbound passengers love our new terminal with its convenient parking and laid back atmosphere. WestJet Airlines' scheduled Boeing 737 service started the ball rolling three years ago; now that company's daily flights have been increased and its links extend far beyond the original Abbotsford-Calgary- Edmonton triangle. You can connect via Alberta to Grand Prairie, Prince George, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Ottawa, Hamilton and before long- to Montreal. With Canada 3000 Airlines providing direct weekly service to Toronto's Pearson International Airport, since June, Abbotsford Airport's passenger figures for the year should top the 200,000 mark. What's next -- the Okanagan, Seattle, Portland, Las Vegas? Across the broad tarmac of Abbotsford Aiport, the Conair Group's new $50 million aircraft maintenance facility looks ready to go, and is scheduled to open in October. According to Conair Group, business volume is expected to double and employment to triple by 2004.For over 60 years, since World War II, Abbotsford Airport has been a key economic engine in the Fraser Valley. It has generated significant revenues and created employment throughout the region. Recently, Herman Driediger and the Abbotsford Airport Authority initiated an Economic Impact Study to measure the impact of the airport on British Columbia. WestJet Airlines' scheduled Boeing 737 service started the ball rolling three years ago; now that company's daily flights have been increased and its links extend far beyond the original Abbotsford-Calgary- Edmonton triangle. You can connect via Alberta to Grand Prairie, Prince George, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Ottawa, Hamilton and before long- to Montreal. With Canada 3000 Airlines providing direct weekly service to Toronto's Pearson International Airport, since June, Abbotsford Airport's passenger figures for the year should top the 200,000 mark. What's next -- the Okanagan, Seattle, Portland, Las Vegas? Across the broad tarmac of Abbotsford Aiport, the Conair Group's new $50 million aircraft maintenance facility looks ready to go, and is scheduled to open in October. According to Conair Group, business volume is expected to double and employment to triple by 2004.For over 60 years, since World War II, Abbotsford Airport has been a key economic engine in the Fraser Valley. It has generated significant revenues and created employment throughout the region. Recently, Herman Driediger and the Abbotsford Airport Authority initiated an Economic Impact Study to measure the impact of the airport on British Columbia. Pilot's Choice. Fuel for the Cause We met Gerry Visser on a typically warm, sunny Saturday afternoon at the Abbotsford Airport in a vacant lot next to the Touch n'Go Restaurant. With hammer in hand and an air of confidence, he was busily erecting the skeleton of a new facility that will serve a vital need at the airport for now and years to come. Gerry's catchy name for the operation is "Pilot's Choice, " a 24 hour Prepaid Discount Card Lock facility that will serve local volume users. For those interested, a debit card service is expected soon. As a pilot and owner of two Piper aircraft, which he has flown from here to Alaska, Mexico, Cuba and the Caribbean, Gerry Visser knows how important 24 hour fuel access is to his fellow pilots and owners.The facility will have two 50,000 litre tanks, with state-of-the -art filtration and an environmentally approved containment (spill) system, safety being a major factor.