Fuel Inquiries:
John Stowe - (204) 851-6230
Runway Conditions:
Ken Klien - 1 (819) 918-7016
Hayden Andrew - (204) 851-2443
Luke Schwindt - (204) 851-5608
Scott Andrew - (204) 748-7306
Brock Andrew - (204) 851-0087
Tom Zelenesky - (204) 908-1210
All Other Inquiries:
Town of Virden Office - (204) 748-2440
Province of Manitoba News Release - funding and investment in Virden Airport, May 26, 2025:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1gAXfdc_Bs&t=36s
The Virden Airport plays a vital role in supporting industry, emergency services, aviation training, and recreational flying throughout southwestern Manitoba and southeastern Saskatchewan. Owned by the Town of Virden and managed by the Virden Airport Commission, the airport serves a wide range of users and continues to be an important regional transportation and economic asset.
Today, the airport is heavily utilized by the agricultural sector, including more than nine spray plane operations serving local producers. It is also a key hub for Air Ambulance services covering southwestern Manitoba and southeastern Saskatchewan, providing critical emergency transportation when minutes matter most.
In addition to emergency and agricultural operations, the airport supports corporate and charter flights for a variety of industries including agriculture, oil and gas, technology, insurance, and finance. While oil companies are among the regular users for transporting personnel, many other businesses also rely on the facility for efficient travel in and out of the region. Recreational aviation also remains an important part of airport activity.
The airport is home to a full-service flight training school offering fixed-wing training programs including single-engine, multi-engine, land, sea, and IFR certification. This training presence continues Virden’s long-standing connection to aviation education and pilot development.
Originally constructed in 1940 as an Elementary Flying Training School, the airport became part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan from 1941 to 1944, providing basic pilot training for Royal Canadian Air Force personnel. At the time, the airport featured a 3,600-foot circular grass runway and maintained a full roster of approximately 240 flight trainees.
Following RCAF decommissioning in 1944, the airport remained active thanks to the dedication of area residents, private aviators, and especially the Virden Area Flying Club, which has operated since 1954. Their commitment helped preserve and grow aviation in the region for decades.
On February 3, 1998, the Town of Virden passed By-law #2540 authorizing the creation of the Town of Virden Airport Commission. Through the efforts of the Commission, volunteers, and community supporters, the airport evolved significantly. By 2001, the original circular grass strip had been transformed into a 4,320-foot by 75-foot paved runway.
In 2004, the airport was officially renamed the Virden/R.J. (Bob) Andrew Field Regional Aerodrome in recognition of the dedication and volunteerism of local resident Bob Andrew, whose efforts were instrumental in keeping the airport active and thriving.
Over the following two decades, infrastructure at the airport gradually became outdated. In 2025, the Town of Virden and the Virden Airport Commission launched a major modernization project to ensure the airport could continue serving the region well into the future.
Through the Manitoba Growth, Renewal and Opportunities for Municipalities (GRO) Fund, the Town of Virden received a $1.65 million investment in 2025 to support the expansion and rehabilitation of the Virden Regional Airport, in addition to a substantial private donation. This significant investment strengthens regional connectivity, supports economic development, and reinforces the airport’s role as a critical transportation hub for southwestern Manitoba and southeastern Saskatchewan.
Today, 86 years after its inception, the airport features a 6,000-foot paved runway, upgraded lighting systems, and a modern Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS). Once again, the airport has become a centre for aviation activity in southwestern Manitoba.
These improvements were made possible through funding contributions and support from the Province of Manitoba, Air Andrew Ltd., the Rural Municipalities of Wallace-Woodworth and Pipestone, the Town of Virden, and the Virden Area Flying Club.
