Nanaimo Airport expands with Pacific Coastal Airlines

Vancouver Islanders will have even more flight options with Nanaimo Airport’s (YCD) new partnership with Pacific Coastal Airlines.

Starting September 12, Pacific Coastal Airlines will offer daily non-stop flights between Nanaimo Airport and both Kelowna International Airport and Vancouver International Airport’s South Terminal. The new routes create more regional, national and international connection opportunities for Vancouver Islanders.

“We are excited to partner with Pacific Coastal Airlines, which will provide access to and from the Mid Island with their extensive network of routes throughout the province,” says Dave Devana, President and CEO of Nanaimo Airport Commission.

Passengers on the new routes will travel aboard a 19-seat turboprop Beechcraft 1900.  The approximate one-hour flight to Kelowna makes traveling to and from Nanaimo quick and convenient.  It’s the perfect pairing with the vineyards, culinary, and outdoor activities that both the Okanagan Valley and Mid Vancouver Island have to offer.

In less than 20 minutes, passengers can be at Vancouver Airport’s South Terminal hub for regional and coastal air services.  The route provides direct connections to Bella Coola, Williams Lake, Bella Bella, Trail, Powell River and Masset.

The new routes provide an additional benefit to Vancouver Island’s economy by creating new employment opportunities. Pacific Coastal Airlines has introduced a pilot base at YCD Nanaimo Airport and is recruiting pilots who want to be based on Vancouver Island.

The routes add to YCD’s growing roster of flight options. Air Canada resumed its seasonal non-stop service to Toronto this summer, while continuing service to Vancouver. WestJet is continuing flight services with it’s Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton routes.

For more information on YCD Nanaimo Airport, visit its new website at ycd.ca and follow  @nanaimoairportycd on social media for general updates and YCD contests.