Pacific Coastal Airlines has announced it will be adding four additional morning flights each week between Penticton and Vancouver starting Jan. 4, 2024.
Those new flights will be Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday from January 4 - April 26, 2024, Vancouver 7:55 a.m. - 8:51 AM Penticton and Penticton 9:15 a.m. and arrive 10:17 a.m. Vancouver.
This announcement comes after Air Canada announced it will no longer fly in or out of Penticton Airport effective Jan. 15.
Air Canada cited region-wide pilot shortages as the main reason for stopping their daily flights to Vancouver and Penticton.
“We regret having to make this difficult decision as we are deeply aware of the impact in the local Penticton community. However, with the current regional pilot shortage, we have had to review the network schedule to ensure resources are deployed most efficiently and productively.
At the time, MP Richard Cannings, Penticton Chamber and the Mayor all came out against Air Canada’s decision to ground flights.
In the wake of Air Canada announcing their plan to cut service to Penticton, the city’s leading business groups asked travellers in the area to provide feedback on why they need a route to and from Vancouver.
In less than three days, over 1,800 people filled out a survey on why they fly Penticton to Vancouver and how frequently. The survey findings were taken to other airlines who may be interested in filling that gap.
A lot of money has been invested in the airport.
The federal government upgraded the Penticton airport with a $6.4 million contract awarded to Ledcor Construction Ltd. in 2018.
“The number of passengers and aircraft using the Penticton airport in the last two years has grown rapidly. In 2014, we invested $7.53 million to repave the airport runway, as well as expand the airport’s passenger hold room. Today’s additional investment will enhance the airport terminal building and is important for improving airport safety and security at this busy airport that services communities in the South Okanagan,” said Marc Garneau, then federal Minister of Transport.
READ MORE: Pilot shortage to blame for Air Canada pulling out of Penticton, says airline