Penticton anticipating Air Canada flights to return in late June

Photo: The Canadian Press

Air Canada will soon resume service to the Penticton airport after a lengthy pause.

As of June 28, the airline is expected to be offering four flights per week out of Vancouver in the evening to Penticton, overnighting in town, then flying out to Vancouver the next morning. Arrivals in Penticton are planned for Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday, with flights to Vancouver on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.

The flights from Vancouver to Penticton will leave at 7:40 p.m. and arrive at 8:37 p.m., and the reverse flight will leave at 6:30 a.m. and arrive at 7:27 a.m.

It is welcome news to local Member of Parliament Richard Cannings, who has long been a champion of the regional airport and the importance of flights to and from Vancouver.

"These flights are vital to tourism and commerce in the region. As we move cautiously back to our new normal, convenient flights to the Lower Mainland are important for residents and businesses alike," Cannings said.

The flights were due to resume June 1 but were pushed back to the end of the month due to travel restrictions within B.C.

Also in Cannings' South Okanagan-West Kootenay riding, the Castlegar airport will be welcoming Air Canada service again, three times a week to and from Vancouver.

Air Canada director for government relations Serge Corbeil said the plan is to add a Wednesday and Thursday flight from Vancouver to Penticton in August, then move to daily service after Labour Day depending on demand and future travel services.