Victoria isn't the only Vancouver Island airport getting some love.

The Nanaimo Airport Commission has announced a $55-million expansion that will unfold over the next two decades.

Construction will begin next month on phase one of the project, which will expand Nanaimo airport's boarding lounge and security area by 14,000 square feet, spokesman Mike Hooper said.

The boarding lounge will more than double its capacity from 140 to 320 seats, while the security area will grow by about three or four times its current size.

The upgrades are aimed at accommodating a steadily increasing number of passengers who use the airport, and to speed up security line-ups.

The first phase will cost roughly $14.2-million, with $5-million coming from the federal government's Building Canada Fund.

The airport hopes to break ground in April with a phase one completion date of spring 2020.

Hooper says the expansion is necessary because the airport is currently six years ahead of passenger projections.

Earlier this week, the Victoria International Airport also announced a $19.4-million expansion of its passenger departure lounge.

That project will double the size of the lounge and install dedicated aircraft gates and covered walkways for passengers who currently have to walk across the tarmac to board. It will also see new washrooms, restaurants and retail stores built.