RCAF Station Jericho Beach / Vancouver Air Station

The closure of flight operations was a result of several factors following World War II. These included post-war military downsizing, a strategic shift by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) away from flying boats towards more efficient, long-range, land-based patrol aircraft, and the increasing urbanization of Vancouver. Operations were consolidated at the nearby and more modern RCAF Station Sea Island (now Vancouver International Airport, YVR).

The site is now primarily the very popular Jericho Beach Park, a major public park and recreational area in Vancouver. The legacy of the air station is highly visible. Several of the original hangars and administrative buildings remain and have been repurposed for community use. Notable examples include the Jericho Sailing Centre, the Jericho Arts Centre, and a youth hostel, all housed in former military structures. The large concrete ramps used to launch and retrieve the seaplanes are still a prominent feature on the beach. A portion of the original base land to the south remains an active Department of National Defence property known as the Jericho Garrison, which is home to several Canadian Army Reserve units.

RCAF Station Jericho Beach was one of Canada's most important west coast air stations for nearly three decades. Established in 1920 as a Canadian Air Board station, it was one of the first permanent air harbours in Canada. Initially, it operated flying boats like the Curtiss HS-2L for civil operations including forestry patrols, aerial photography/surveying, and anti-smuggling patrols. It was transferred to the RCAF in 1924 and became a vital military base. During the interwar period, it was home to iconic flying boats such as the Supermarine Stranraer. In World War II, the station's importance peaked. It served as a critical base for coastal defence, anti-submarine patrols, and search and rescue operations, protecting the British Columbia coast from potential threats. It was home to several squadrons, including No. 4 Squadron, flying aircraft like the Consolidated Canso (PBY). For a time, it also served as the headquarters for the RCAF's Western Air Command.

None. There are no plans or prospects for reopening the site as an airport. The land is now invaluable and heavily used urban parkland, fully integrated into the City of Vancouver's recreational and cultural infrastructure. Re-establishing an airport in this dense, residential area is logistically, politically, and economically unfeasible. Vancouver's aviation needs are well-served by Vancouver International Airport (CYVR), the Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre for floatplanes, and other regional airports.