Harbour Air, a seaplane operator based in British Columbia, is set to expand its reach by acquiring Pacific Coastal Airlines. This move will create a new regional airline group serving 25 destinations.
The agreement, announced recently, will merge Harbour Air’s fleet of 40 float planes with Pacific Coastal’s 19 wheeled aircraft. Both airlines, established in the 1980s in Richmond, B.C., will maintain their individual brands under Canadian ownership.
By joining forces, the airlines aim to enhance passenger connectivity and better manage operational challenges like adverse weather conditions. The new airline group will operate up to 300 daily flights, ensuring air services for remote communities and offering career advancement opportunities to its combined workforce of 900 employees.
Harbour Air’s CEO, Bert van der Stege, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with Pacific Coastal, envisioning the creation of a leading regional airline group in Western Canada.
The acquisition price remains undisclosed as both airlines are privately owned. This strategic move underscores the commitment to local job retention and growth within the Canadian aviation industry.
