New air service begins

Photo: Contributed

New air service between Kelowna and Victoria began today.

The first Pacific Coastal Airlines flight from Victoria arrived at YLW this morning and was met by local dignitaries and politicians on the tarmac.

The non-stop service will operate seven days a week using a Saab 340 aircraft – twice a day Monday to Friday and once a day Saturday and Sunday.

“We know there is a significant market opportunity for this new route,” Sam Samaddar, YLW airport director said in a press release. “This route will greatly serve both business and leisure travellers.”

With the launch of the service, PASCO has set up a new base at YLW, which includes the hiring of six staff. 

“This is a significant move for Pacific Coastal Airlines,” said Jenelle Hynes, PASCO’s business development and customer service manager for the Okanagan-Kootenay region and YLW base supervisor. “We’re strongly committed to the Okanagan, and we think that the region will really benefit from this new base.”

As part of the launch, Greater Westside Board of Trade will host a Kelowna-Victoria business exchange.

“We want to ensure this new route succeeds, and we can only do that with the support of our tourism, business and political partners," said Samaddar.

Kelowna Airport is one of Canada's top 11 busiest airports, with an economic impact is 2,730 jobs and $610 million in economic output. It served 1.6 million passengers in 2014 with 66 daily non-stop commercial flights with six airline partners.

Pacific Coastal has been providing regularly scheduled, charter and cargo services in B.C. for almost 40 years and is the sixth-largest airline operating at Vancouver Airport. It employs 300 people across the province.