RICHMOND, B.C. — Pacific Coastal Airlines’ new daily service between Vancouver and Tofino is set to start April 3, 2018 and the new route is already listed on the GDS and available for booking to more than 180,000 travel agencies around the world.
Pacific Coastal is positioning the 45-minute flight as a quick, convenient and affordable travel option between the lower mainland and Vancouver Island’s west coast communities.
The new flight will operate seven days a week, leaving Vancouver International Airport’s South Terminal (YVR) at 3 p.m. and arriving at the Tofino/Long Beach Airport (YAZ) at 3:45 p.m. It departs YAZ at 4:15 p.m. arriving back at YVR at 5 p.m.
“The Alberni-Clayoquot region has long been an attractive destination for both domestic and international visitors and we believe that there is now sufficient travel needs to sustain additional air service to the Tofino/Long Beach Airport (YAZ) which serves Tofino, Ucluelet, and the surrounding area,” says Pacific Coastal’s Director of Business Development and Corporate Communications, Kevin Boothroyd.
“We will work together with local communities, tour operators, and other stakeholders to drive brand awareness of this new service over the next few years.”
Pacific Coastal will use the 19-passenger pressurized turboprop Beech 1900 aircraft on the new route. The 1900 offers comfortable seating, generous cargo capacity, and is designed to operate in all weather conditions, says Boothroyd.
A privately owned, B.C.-based regional airline operating from YVR’s South Terminal, Pacific Coastal is now the sixth-largest airline operating at YVR, based on outbound seats, and third largest in takeoffs and landings. It flies to 15 airports and connects to more than 50 destinations in the province, from as far east as Cranbrook in the Rocky Mountains and as far north as Prince George and Masset on Haida Gwaii, with a network that encompasses major ski destinations, fishing lodges, outdoor and wildlife adventure tours, and authentic First Nations tourism experiences.
