The West Kootenay Regional Airport (Castlegar Airport) is a small regional airport located there is no possibility of a straight-in approach. The airport is therefore certified for day operations only, and the glideslope on approach is set to a steep 5.0° rather than the standard 3.0°. The instrument approaches to Castlegar are considered among the most challenging of any in use at a commercial airport in North America. The airport has earned the nickhame "Cancelgar" due to the frequency of weather-related flight cancellations.
In 2006, Castlegar airport was developing departure procedures for night time operation, but as of 2010 the airport was certified for daytime operation only.
In May 2021, Air Canada announced they will be using 78 passenger De Havilland Dash-8-400s when they resume service following route suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The airport is classified as an airport of entry by Nav Canada and is staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). The customs at CBSA officers at this airport can handle general aviation aircraft only, with no more than 15 passengers.