Harbour Air to acquire Pacific Coastal Airlines in major B.C. aviation deal

Harbour Air has reached an agreement to acquire Pacific Coastal Airlines, bringing together two Richmond-founded carriers into what the companies describe as a new Western Canadian regional airline group. The transaction would combine Harbour Air’s fleet of 40 float planes with Pacific Coastal’s 19 conventional aircraft, creating a network serving 25 destinations across British Columbia and neighbouring regions. The purchase price was not disclosed.

Harbour Air says the two airlines will continue operating under their existing brands while remaining Canadian-owned. The combined operation would employ approximately 900 people and conduct as many as 300 flights a day. Executives say the larger network will improve passenger connections and give the carriers greater flexibility when weather or operational problems disrupt individual routes, particularly in communities with limited transportation alternatives.

The acquisition could be especially significant for remote and coastal communities that depend on regional aircraft for business, medical travel and connections to larger airports. Harbour Air says the agreement will protect those services and support local employment, although the announcement did not provide detailed integration plans or explain whether schedules and fares will change. The deal also raises longer-term questions about competition in B.C.’s regional aviation market as two prominent privately owned operators come under common ownership.