Victoriaville Airport

Victoriaville Airport (ICAO: CSR3) sits on the eastern edge of the city of Victoriaville, roughly 2.5 kilometres from the town centre. It serves as a general aviation facility for the Centre-du-Québec region, handling private aircraft, flight training operations, and occasional charter flights. The airport is not served by scheduled commercial airlines; its single asphalt runway (05/23, 4,500 feet) accommodates light to medium-sized aircraft. What sets this airport apart from many small airfields is the consistently high level of service — pilots regularly describe the staff as exceptionally welcoming, and the facility is maintained to a standard that rivals larger regional airports.

Getting There

Victoriaville Airport is located on Avenue de l'Aéroport, just off Route 161. From downtown Victoriaville, take Boulevard des Bois-Francs east toward Route 161, then turn onto Rue de l'Aéroport — the journey takes about five minutes by car. There is no public transit directly serving the airport, so driving or arranging a taxi is the most practical option. Taxis are available in Victoriaville; a ride from the city centre costs roughly $10–15. For those flying in, courtesy cars are sometimes available — check with the airport office in advance. Parking is free and plentiful, with a large lot right outside the terminal building. Cyclists can reach the airport via local roads, but dedicated bike lanes are absent on the final approach.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal building is compact but well-appointed. Upon entering, passengers find a small waiting area with seating, a counter for inquiries, and access to a clean, wheelchair-accessible toilet. The building is single-storey and easy to navigate. A wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park are confirmed, making the airport fully compliant for travellers with mobility needs. The atmosphere is quiet and unhurried — staff often greet visitors with a smile and offer assistance with fuelling, tie-downs, or local information. There is no restaurant or café, but vending machines provide basic snacks and drinks. For a full meal, downtown Victoriaville is a short drive away. The airport also features a pilot lounge and a small flight planning area. Security is informal; since it is a general aviation airport, no screening is required, though the terminal is typically locked when unstaffed. The overall impression is one of efficiency and genuine hospitality — a place where the staff remember your name if you visit more than once.

Victoriaville Airport and Victoriaville

Victoriaville is a city of roughly 47,000 people, located in the Centre-du-Québec region, about halfway between Montreal and Quebec City. It is best known as the home of the Bois-Francs region, a historically agricultural and industrial area that now blends manufacturing, forestry, and services. The city hosts the annual Festival de la Gibelotte (a pea soup festival), the Victoriaville Film Festival, and the world-renowned Festival International de Musique Actuelle de Victoriaville (FIMAV), which attracts avant-garde musicians and audiences from across North America. For outdoor enthusiasts, the nearby Parc des Voltigeurs offers hiking, cycling, and winter sports, while the Grand lac Saint-François provides boating and fishing. The city’s downtown features a charming mix of boutiques, cafés, and restaurants along Rue Notre-Dame Ouest. Victoriaville Airport connects this vibrant community to the broader world — it is used by business travellers visiting local manufacturing plants (such as those in the textile and wood industries), by flight schools training the next generation of pilots, and by recreational flyers exploring the beautiful Quebec countryside. The airport is also a key base for regional air ambulance and medevac services. In essence, the airport is more than just a strip of asphalt; it is an integral part of the local economy and a reflection of the community’s proactive, welcoming attitude.

Practical Information

The airport is not open every day. Check their website (https://vic.to/aeroport) or call +1 819-752-6560 for current hours. The busiest times are Monday at 3 am, Tuesday at 6 pm, Wednesday at 9 am, and Thursday at 1 pm — though these fluctuate with flight training schedules. There is no fuel available 24/7, but Avgas and Jet A are available during operating hours. The airport provides a unicom frequency (123.2 MHz) for pilots; the friendly ground staff often offer a “Platinum Plus” level of service, meaning they may meet you on the ramp and assist with parking, refuelling, and even local arrangements. For first-time visitors: call ahead to confirm the terminal will be open when you arrive, and if you need a taxi, arrange one before landing — the small town service can sometimes have limited availability.