Richmond, BC – Pacific Coastal Airlines flight #8P1205 arrived at Kamloops Airport at 3:25 p.m. on February 9, 2021. The inaugural flight represented the start of the new non-stop flight service between Vancouver International Airport South Terminal (YVR) and Kamloops Airport (YKA).

The new service will operate 6 days a week on a Beechcraft B1900 aircraft and will support travel for essential service workers, passengers travelling for medical appointments, and time-sensitive cargo transportation.

“We are very excited to be returning to Kamloops and offer the opportunity for safe, reliable, and essential travel to Vancouver and our British Columbia destinations,” said Pacific Coastal Airlines Vice President of Airports, Laura Nadin-Young. “We welcome back our returning customers and are looking forward to greeting our new customers.”

“Welcoming the return of Pacific Coastal Airlines to Kamloops is certainly a bright spot for the airport and the community we are proud to serve,” said Ed Ratuski, Managing Director, Kamloops Airport. “This new service provides a valuable connection with Vancouver for essential travel as we look forward to recovery.”

“This flight marks the start of a service that provides an important connection to Vancouver for our residents’ essential travel needs. As we work through this pandemic, this air service will be an important component in Kamloops’ economic recovery,” said Mayor Ken Christian.

“Tourism Kamloops and our stakeholders are extremely happy with Pacific Coastal Airlines’ decision to return to our city.  Pacific Coastal will fill a necessary gap in our connectivity to Vancouver and beyond for visitors, corporate travelers, and movement of goods and services.  The arrival of Pacific Coastal Airlines marks a great start for the year, both for our airport and our community,” said Beverley DeSantis, CEO Tourism Kamloops.  “We are grateful for their support of our community and addressing the needs of our industry. We look forward to a very successful collaboration long into the future.”

“The Kamloops Chamber of Commerce and the business community of Kamloops applauds Pacific Coastal Airlines on their commitment to our City,” said Tyson Andrykew, Kamloops Chamber of Commerce President. “Air travel is a critical link between our community and the lower mainland, as well as other parts of our Province. The Kamloops Chamber strongly encourages its members and the citizens of Kamloops to support Pacific Coastal when considering travel to Vancouver.”

Initial flight schedule details of Pacific Coastal Airlines new flight service:

RouteFrequencyFlight #DepartingArrivingEffective
Vancouver to KamloopsSunday to Friday#12052:35 p.m.3:25 p.m.February 9, 2021
Kamloops to VancouverSunday to Friday#12063:55 p.m.4:45 p.m.February 9, 2021

Pacific Coastal Airlines also offers air cargo service to 17 destinations throughout their network to transport time-sensitive cargo. With various level of shipping priority, they offer shipping solutions tailored to customer requirements at competitive rates.

Pacific Coastal Airlines has also adopted additional safety measures to ensure the health and wellbeing of staff and customers. The measures include enhanced aircraft sanitation practices, physical distancing at airport facilities, reduced contact points, and the requirement for all customers to travel with a face mask and answer health check questions before boarding. Learn more about the additional safety measures online.

Supporting images and videos from the inaugural flight can be viewed here. Photography and videography by Peter Olsen.

About Pacific Coastal Airlines
Pacific Coastal Airlines is a privately owned British Columbia based regional airline operating from Vancouver International Airport’s South Terminal (YVR) that currently flies to 18 airports in British Columbia. Connecting to additional destinations along the south coast of British Columbia through its affiliate airline Wilderness Seaplanes, located in Port Hardy on northern Vancouver Island. Pacific Coastal is also the operator of WestJet Link, providing service from its base in Calgary to Cranbrook, Lethbridge, Lloydminster, and Medicine Hat.

Connect with Pacific Coastal on Facebook
Follow Pacific Coastal on Twitter
Follow Pacific Coastal on Instagram
Connect with Pacific Coastal on LinkedIn

Media contact:
Quentin Smith, President
Email: corpcom@pacificcoastal.com

Beechcraft 1900D in KamloopsBeechcraft 1900D in Kamloops
PCA LogoEd Ratuski and Laura Nadin-Young