Pacific Coastal Airlines
A Canadian regional airline focused on scheduled, charter, cargo, and former seaplane services in British Columbia.
Last updated August 24, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Pacific Coastal Airlines is a Canadian regional airline headquartered at the South Terminal of Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, British Columbia. Its principal operating base is Vancouver International Airport, and its network has historically concentrated on connecting communities throughout British Columbia, including coastal, northern, interior, and island destinations that receive less service from large national carriers. The airline provides scheduled passenger flights as well as charter and cargo services, using aircraft suited to regional markets and airports with comparatively limited demand. The present airline dates from 1987, when Powell Air was merged with the Port Hardy division of Air BC. Its corporate and operating history is connected to an earlier airline called Pacific Coastal Airlines, which began in 1956 as Cassidair Services at Cassidy Airport, now Nanaimo Airport. That earlier operation served routes linking Nanaimo, Vancouver, Victoria, the central and northern Vancouver Island communities, and the Sunshine Coast area. In 1980, it was acquired by Jim Pattison Industries and combined with Airwest Airlines and other Pattison-owned local carriers. These operations were subsequently consolidated into Air BC on November 1, 1980. The current Pacific Coastal organization emerged several years later from the Powell Air and Air BC combination. The company expanded its aviation activities beyond conventional land-plane regional flying through the acquisition of the shares and assets of Wilderness Seaplanes on April 1, 1998. A separate Wilderness Seaplanes division began operating on May 5, 2016, taking over Pacific Coastal's seaplane activities and operating from Port Hardy and Bella Bella. This gave the broader operation access to remote coastal communities where water aerodromes and short regional links are important to local transportation. Pacific Coastal has operated a broad British Columbia network including Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Comox, Campbell River, Port Hardy, Powell River, Tofino, Bella Bella, Bella Coola, Anahim Lake, Masset, Prince George, Quesnel, Williams Lake, Kamloops, Kelowna, Penticton, Cranbrook, and Trail. The network has changed over time, but its central role has remained the provision of regional connectivity within the province. Vancouver functions as the principal hub and interchange point for a number of these services. From 2018 through 2024, the airline also operated Saab 340 aircraft under the WestJet Link brand through a capacity-purchase agreement with WestJet. The arrangement extended WestJet-branded regional service to selected communities in Alberta and British Columbia, with aircraft based at Calgary and Vancouver. WestJet announced in May 2024 that the agreement would not be renewed. WestJet Link operations operated by Pacific Coastal were scheduled to end on October 26, 2024, with the affected flying transferred to WestJet Encore by the following day. Pacific Coastal Airlines remains primarily a regional aviation brand rather than a large international network carrier. Its market identity is built around dependable links between British Columbia's principal cities and smaller or geographically isolated communities, together with charter, cargo, and specialized coastal aviation capabilities.
History
Pacific Coastal Airlines has roots in several regional aviation operations in British Columbia. The earliest predecessor identified with the Pacific Coastal name began in 1956 as Cassidair Services. It operated from Cassidy Airport, south of Nanaimo, an airfield now known as Nanaimo Airport. The operation developed a regional network connecting Vancouver Island communities and nearby coastal destinations. Before its consolidation in 1980, routes included Nanaimo to Vancouver; a multi-stop Vancouver Island service linking Victoria, Nanaimo, Comox, Campbell River, and Port Hardy; and links from Nanaimo through Qualicum Beach to Port Alberni. In early 1980, Jim Pattison Industries acquired the earlier Pacific Coastal operation as well as Airwest Airlines and other local carriers. The acquired businesses were consolidated into Air BC on November 1, 1980. This ended the independent operation of the original Pacific Coastal Airlines, but regional aviation activity associated with its markets continued through the successor structure. The current Pacific Coastal Airlines was established in 1987 through the merger of Powell Air and the Port Hardy division of Air BC. Its subsequent development focused on scheduled regional flying within British Columbia, complemented by charter and cargo operations. The airline's headquarters at Vancouver International Airport's South Terminal and its Vancouver base supported a network designed to connect the province's larger population centres with smaller and more remote communities. The company broadened its coastal aviation capabilities in 1998 by acquiring the shares and assets of Wilderness Seaplanes. Seaplane operations became an important part of the wider business, particularly for communities and locations where conventional airport infrastructure is limited. On May 5, 2016, a new Wilderness Seaplanes division began service and assumed the Pacific Coastal seaplane operation. It was based at Port Hardy and Bella Bella, providing a distinct operating platform for coastal flying. A significant commercial development came in November 2017, when Pacific Coastal and WestJet announced a capacity-purchase agreement. Under the arrangement, Pacific Coastal operated Saab 340 aircraft under the WestJet Link brand beginning in June 2018. The aircraft were initially associated with WestJet's Calgary hub and served destinations such as Lethbridge and Lloydminster. Additional aircraft and services were based at Vancouver International Airport, including flights to Cranbrook and Comox. The arrangement allowed WestJet to market regional services while Pacific Coastal supplied the aircraft and operating capability. On May 13, 2024, WestJet announced that the capacity-purchase agreement would be completed and not renewed. Pacific Coastal subsequently announced that WestJet Link would cease operating on October 26, 2024, and that the affected flying would be transferred to WestJet Encore no later than the next day. This marked the end of a major branded partnership while leaving Pacific Coastal focused on its own regional network and other aviation activities. As of July 2024, the airline's published British Columbia network included Anahim Lake, Bella Bella, Bella Coola, Cranbrook, Campbell River, Comox, Kamloops, Kelowna, Masset, Nanaimo, Penticton, Port Hardy, Powell River, Prince George, Quesnel, Tofino, Trail, Vancouver, Victoria, and Williams Lake. As of July 2025, the main airline had 20 aircraft registered with Transport Canada, while Wilderness Seaplanes had seven aircraft registered under its own operation. The airline's history is therefore characterized by consolidation, regional network development, coastal specialization, and partnerships with larger carriers.
- 2024
WestJet Link agreement ends
[1]WestJet announces that the capacity-purchase agreement will not be renewed; Pacific Coastal's WestJet Link operation is scheduled to end on October 26.
- 2018
WestJet Link flying begins
[1]Pacific Coastal begins operating Saab 340 regional flights under the WestJet Link brand in June.
- 2017
WestJet Link agreement announced
[1]Pacific Coastal and WestJet announce a capacity-purchase agreement involving Saab 340 aircraft operated under the WestJet Link brand.
- 2016
Wilderness Seaplanes division begins service
[1]A new Wilderness Seaplanes division begins operations on May 5 from Port Hardy and Bella Bella.
- 1998
Wilderness Seaplanes is acquired
[1]Pacific Coastal acquires the shares and assets of Wilderness Seaplanes on April 1, expanding its coastal and seaplane capabilities.
- 1987
Current Pacific Coastal Airlines is established
[1]The present airline is formed through the merger of Powell Air and the Port Hardy division of Air BC.
- 1980
Earlier Pacific Coastal operation is consolidated into Air BC
[1]Following acquisition by Jim Pattison Industries, the earlier Pacific Coastal operation is combined with Airwest and other local carriers and merged into Air BC on November 1.
- 1956
Cassidair Services begins operations
[1]The predecessor associated with the original Pacific Coastal Airlines is established at Cassidy Airport, now Nanaimo Airport.
Products and positioning
A regional connectivity specialist serving British Columbia communities, particularly routes linking Vancouver and other major airports with smaller coastal, island, northern, and interior destinations.
Passenger aviation · 1987
Scheduled regional passenger flights
Pacific Coastal Airlines operates scheduled regional passenger services linking Vancouver and other British Columbia population centres with smaller coastal, island, northern, and interior communities. The network has included destinations such as Nanaimo, Victoria, Comox, Campbell River, Port Hardy, Bella Bella, Bella Coola, Prince George, and Williams Lake. These services are designed for short- to medium-distance regional travel rather than long-haul or international network flying.
Aviation charter
Charter services
The airline provides charter aviation in addition to its scheduled timetable. Charter operations allow aircraft and crews to be deployed for customer-specific travel requirements, including movements that do not fit a regular regional route structure. The available reference material identifies charter flying as one of the company's core service categories but does not specify individual customers or contract terms.
Air cargo
Cargo services
Pacific Coastal Airlines operates cargo services as part of its regional aviation portfolio. Cargo flying supports the movement of goods to and from British Columbia communities, including locations where surface transportation can be slow or geographically difficult. The reference material does not provide a separate cargo brand, detailed product schedule, or shipment-volume data.
Seaplane aviation · 2016
Wilderness Seaplanes
Wilderness Seaplanes is the seaplane operation associated with Pacific Coastal Airlines. Pacific Coastal acquired Wilderness Seaplanes' shares and assets in 1998, and a dedicated division began service in 2016 from Port Hardy and Bella Bella. The operation addresses coastal and remote-community transportation needs using aircraft capable of serving water-based or specialized coastal facilities.
Capacity-purchase regional aviation · 2018
WestJet Link regional operation
From June 2018 until October 2024, Pacific Coastal operated Saab 340 aircraft under the WestJet Link brand through a capacity-purchase agreement. The service connected selected destinations in Alberta and British Columbia with WestJet-marketed regional flying. The agreement was not renewed, and the operation was scheduled to transfer to WestJet Encore after October 26, 2024.
Brand decisions
2024
End WestJet Link operationStrategyBackground
WestJet announced that its capacity-purchase agreement with Pacific Coastal would not be renewed.
Action taken
Pacific Coastal scheduled the closure of its WestJet Link operation for October 26, 2024, while WestJet planned to transfer the affected flying to WestJet Encore.
Aftermath
The decision ended Pacific Coastal's WestJet-branded regional operation and returned the airline's focus to its own regional and specialized aviation activities.
2017
Enter WestJet Link capacity-purchase arrangementStrategyBackground
WestJet wanted to offer branded regional flying on selected routes while relying on a regional operating partner for aircraft and operations.
Action taken
Pacific Coastal agreed to operate Saab 340 aircraft under the WestJet Link brand beginning in June 2018.
Aftermath
The arrangement expanded Pacific Coastal's role beyond its own branded network and continued until the agreement was completed in 2024.
1998
Acquisition of Wilderness SeaplanesM&ABackground
Pacific Coastal sought to expand or formalize its coastal aviation capabilities through the acquisition of Wilderness Seaplanes.
Action taken
The airline acquired the shares and assets of Wilderness Seaplanes on April 1, 1998.
Aftermath
The acquisition became the basis for the airline's continuing seaplane activities and the later Wilderness Seaplanes division.
Recent events
- 2024
WestJet Link operations operated by Pacific Coastal to end[1]
Leadership change
WestJet announced that its capacity-purchase agreement with Pacific Coastal would be completed and not renewed. Pacific Coastal's WestJet Link operation was scheduled to close on October 26, 2024, with flying transferred to WestJet Encore.
- 2017
Pacific Coastal and WestJet announce WestJet Link capacity-purchase agreement[1]
M&A · Other
WestJet and Pacific Coastal Airlines announced an agreement under which Pacific Coastal would operate Saab 340 aircraft under the WestJet Link brand, with service scheduled to begin in June 2018.
- 2008
Pacific Coastal aircraft crashes near Chamiss Bay[1]
Other
A Grumman G-21 Goose operated on a flight from Port Hardy to Chamiss Bay crashed on August 3, 2008. The aircraft was destroyed by fire, and two of the seven people aboard survived.
- 2008
Pacific Coastal aircraft crashes on South Thormanby Island[1]
Other
On November 16, 2008, a Grumman G-21 Goose flying from Vancouver International Airport to Toba Inlet crashed on South Thormanby Island. The aircraft was destroyed and the lone survivor was rescued by the Canadian Coast Guard.
Sources3 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/pacific-coastal-airlines · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled