Richmond, BC – Pacific Coastal Airlines will begin making temporary reductions to its regularly scheduled service at the Anahim Lake Airport (YAA) beginning Monday, April 6, 2020.

These adjustments are due to a reduction in the airport’s available runway length that reduces takeoff weight for the airline’s Beechcraft 1900D, especially during warmer weather. The weight restriction requires Pacific Coastal to curtail the number of seats it makes available to passengers at departure from YAA to the extent that maintaining its usual spring and summer schedule is not sustainable.

“We have an excellent working relationship with the Cariboo Regional District and its airport operations group and appreciate that they are making every effort to resolve this as soon as possible,” says Pacific Coastal Airlines’ V.P. Commercial Services, Johnathan Richardson. “However, with no immediate solution in sight and with warmer weather on the way, we believe that offering this temporary service reduction is the best option available to us right now.”

Pacific Coastal intends to return to normal operations once the runway length and related takeoff weight is addressed. In the meantime, Pacific Coastal is planning a phased-in approach to its temporary reduction of services at the Anahim Lake Airport.

Current schedule – remains status quo until Friday, April 3

Monday, April 6 to Friday, May 1 – schedule reduced to twice a week service on Mondays and Fridays only (Vancouver-Bella Coola-Anahim Lake-Bella Coola-Vancouver). Wednesday flights will be discontinued.

Sunday, May 3 forward – schedule reduced to once a week Saturday only service
(Vancouver-Bella Coola-Anahim Lake-Bella Coola-Vancouver)

About Pacific Coastal Airlines
A privately owned British Columbia based regional airline operating from Vancouver International Airport’s South Terminal (YVR); Pacific Coastal is the eighth-largest airline operating at YVR based on outbound seats, and third largest in takeoffs and landings. It flies to 16 airports in British Columbia, including destinations from as far east as Cranbrook in the Rocky Mountains, as far north as Prince George, and Masset on the legendary island of Haida Gwaii, and as far west as Tofino. With its affiliate airline Wilderness Seaplanes, located in Port Hardy on Northern Vancouver Island, Pacific Coastal connects to more than 50 additional destinations along the south coast. Pacific Coastal is also the operator of WestJet Link, providing service from its base in Calgary to Cranbrook, Prince George, Lethbridge, Lloydminster, and Medicine Hat, and between Vancouver and Cranbrook. It will offer non-stop daily service between Calgary and Dawson Creek beginning April 26, 2020. Pacific Coastal’s network encompasses major ski destinations, a multitude of fishing lodges, outdoor and wildlife adventure tours, and authentic First Nations cultural experiences.

Media contact:
Kevin Boothroyd, Director, Corporate Communications & Public Affairs
(M) 604.833.6265
(W) 604.214.2388
Email: kevin.boothroyd@pacificcoastal.com