Book your room as early as possible for the BCAC 2026 Soaring Above Challenges conference taking place in Kelowna, BC. The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Memorial Cup will be taking place in Kelowna at the same time so hotel rooms will become very difficult – and expensive – to secure in the weeks leading up to May 25 - 27th.

The BCAC26 conference is taking place at the historic Eldorado Resort, a beautiful lakefront property and marina. Conference attendees will receive a discounted/group rate on rooms (subject to availability). The parking fee has been waived for conference attendees and the resort fee has been reduced to $15/night (usually $30/night). To ensure that you receive the special rate(s), you must identify yourself as a BCAC26 conference attendee when you make your reservation.

CLICK HERE to reserve your room at the historic Hotel Eldorado.

CLICK HERE to reserve your room at the Manteo at Eldorado Resort. 

We look forward to seeing you in the spring!

Questions? Contact us.

Level Up Your Aviation Leadership: Virtual Training on Climate, ESG & Governance

Leadership & Board Training: Climate, ESG, and Governance in Aviation

The British Columbia Aviation Council (BCAC) is excited to partner with Synergy Academy to bring you a 3-hour virtual training session designed for aviation leaders, executives, and board members.

Gain practical insights and tools to:

• Navigate climate risks and opportunities in aviation
• Apply ESG frameworks effectively in decision-making
• Strengthen board governance and leadership practices
• Make future-ready, sustainability-focused decisions

Plus: Participants receive a Certificate of Completion to recognize their professional development.

Date: February 26, 2026.
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM PT
Format: Virtual (Zoom)

Limited seats reserve your spot today and lead aviation into a resilient future.

Register Now

Left to Right: BCAC Chair, Cathy Press, Wayne Cave, BCAC Executive Director, Dave Frank.

Wayne Cave Earns BC Aviation Council Lifetime Achievement Award

Veteran aviator and other industry awards recipients honoured at recent BCAC 2025 Silver Wings Industry and Scholarship Awards Celebration event

The British Columbia Aviation Council (BCAC) has bestowed a Lifetime Achievement Award upon Wayne Cave for his outstanding contributions to Canada’s aviation and aerospace industry. Cave and other Industry Award winners were presented with their honours during the recent Silver Wings Industry and Scholarship Awards Celebration. The Silver Wings Celebration took place on the evening of Friday, November 14th, 2025, at the Vancouver Convention Centre West in downtown Vancouver, B.C.

“Wayne Cave is an obvious choice for a BCAC Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Dave Frank, the BCAC’s executive director. “Since Wayne was a teenager, he has made a positive impact on our country’s aviation and aerospace sector, first as a pilot and later as a company president and teacher. He has constantly strived to give back to the industry while pushing it forward through innovation and sustainability.”

Cave obtained his Private Pilot Licence when he was 17 and had a Commercial Pilot Licence by the age of 20. He has held key leadership positions with Coastal Pacific Aviation and Chinook Helicopters while also serving as a flight instructor for more than two decades.

The other Silver Wings Industry Awards recipients include Helijet, which received the Robert S. Day Outstanding Contribution Award for its donation of a medically-equipped Sikorsky S-76A air ambulance helicopter for missions of mercy in war-torn Ukraine.

In addition, Ali Timajchi, founder, Abomis Innovations, garnered the Aviation or Aerospace Entrepreneur Award for portable-kiosk technology that his company developed for use in airport passenger terminals. The kiosks enable passengers to print boarding passes and baggage labels via the cloud using their smartphones.

The other 2025 Silver Wings Industry Award recipients are:

• Boundary Bay Airport (CZBB) – William Templeton Public Aviation Facility Award
• 442 Squadron RCAF – Search and Rescue Comox – Back and Bevington Air Safety Award
• Robert Horne – Robert Hope Pursuit of AME Excellence Award
• Pacific Coastal Airlines – BCAC Chair’s Extraordinary Service Award

To view acceptance speech videos from the 2025 Industry Award Winners, please visit our Industry Awards web page.

For more photos from the recent Silver Wings Industry and Scholarship Awards Celebration, please click here.

(Source: BCAC. Photo/Brendan McAlpine)

86-year-old floatplane, last of its kind known to still be flying, takes to the skies in Vanderhoof, B.C.

1938 Bellanca Aircruiser is on loan from Erickson Aircraft Collection in Oregon

An airplane with origins in the days when bush pilots transported people, cargo and even horses across northern Canada is taking flight once again in central B.C. A 1938 Bellanca Aircruiser, made from various materials including wood and fabric, is spending the summer in Vanderhoof, B.C., about 100 kilometers west of Prince George.

On loan from the Erickson Aircraft Collection in Oregon, it's being piloted by Glenn Pearce, a retired Air Canada pilot with over 55 years of experience.

In a journey more than 1,000 kilometers long, Pearce flew the plane from the Erickson museum in the community of Madras, Oregon up to Vanderhoof. It was a multi-day trip and he used only a map and a compass to guide him, just as bush pilots did before the advent of GPS systems.

"It was quite an experience," he said. "It's very hands-and-feet, you've got to be flying that thing all the time.... but it flies very well." 

Though originally designed to transport multiple passengers, U.S. federal regulations banned single-engine planes like the Bellanca Aircruisers from that task in 1934. That led to a new market for them, primarily in supporting mining and exploration operations in Canada as late as the 1970s.

"It's airplanes like this that actually opened up the north," said B.C. Aviation Museum president Stephen Dale. "Prior to these airplanes, it was an awfully long haul to get anything up to the northern communities... you can get this thing into an area that is virtually unapproachable by any other means of transportation." 

According to the Erickson Collection, the plane Pearce has been flying was custom built to support a gold mining operation in the Philippines before being pressed into service in Canada, and is the last of its kind still able to fly.

Pearce said among the pilots who've flown it is Wilfred Leigh Brintnell, who according to Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame, was the first person to circle Great Bear Lake by air. That led to the discovery of uranium deposits in the area, which were ultimately used in the Manhattan Project and the development of the first atomic bombs. 

Pearce is taking the plane on short trips around the region and locals have been dropping by with questions. He plans to bring it to the Fort St. John air show on the weekend of Aug. 2 and 3 and to have a public event in Vanderhoof in September.

"I'm very privileged to be able to fly something like this," he said. "It's a priceless piece of equipment."

(Source: CBC News - BC, Andrew Kurjata. Photo/Catherine Hansen)

AI and thermal drones are helping find the lost in B.C.'s mountains

Search team says technology has potential to save lives and some of it is Canadian-made

Every year, thousands of people walk, run, bike or ski in Vancouver's iconic North Shore Mountains. But some of those trips don't go according to plan. More than 100 people call North Shore Rescue every year because they got lost or injured in the dense and steep coastal rainforest. Locating the lost or missing can be a grueling task.

North Shore Rescue, which says it is Canada's busiest volunteer search and rescue (SAR) team, has been doing that since 1965. But combinations of emerging technology, like drones equipped with thermal imaging and artificial intelligence software, are helping it bring people to safety faster than ever. It's a solution that combines the best of the needs of search and rescue and the capabilities of new tools on the market, said Grant Baldwin, a drone operator for North Shore Rescue (NSR). 

Subjects stick out "quite bright" at 60 to 90 meters in the air, he said. "You can see a person really clearly if you're in the right spot." 

His team still deploys its usual ground crews to rescue people. If needed, they use an all-terrain vehicle, snowmobile or helicopter. But drone software gives searchers the ability to quickly scan hard-to-reach gullies, creeks or cliffs, he said.

Developing the functionality of the drones for use during a search has been in the works for years, with other members of the team acquiring their Transport Canada flying certification in the last 12 months. The gear has so far cost about $40,000, an amount drawn out of the donations NSR relies on to function.

Baldwin said the technology has real potential to save many lives. It may have already saved a life.

Looking for a missing hiker

In early December, North Shore Rescue was called to look for a missing hiker on Mount Seymour in North Vancouver after he failed to meet his friends in a car park near the trail head. 

Baldwin remembers being on his last battery during the search that night and finally spotting the hiker with his drone fitted with thermal imaging software. He was about two kilometers away, but video from the rescue shows the hiker huddled under a tree on his side, trying to keep warm.  

"He was quite hypothermic. He had fallen in some creeks. It was about minus 6 degrees, so if the team hadn't found him that night it would have been more of a recovery," Baldwin said.  

Some searches extend late into the night or early morning as volunteers whack their way through thick forest and rugged terrain. Being able to spot a subject with the drone's software and send ground crews directly to those in need of rescue can save a lot of time, especially when a helicopter is not able to fly, said Baldwin. 

The software makes a huge difference. Looking down on the coastal rainforest without it is like looking down at thousands of tiny green circles with almost no space to see anyone in between, he said. 

But sometimes thermal imaging doesn't always work very well. In the summer, heat from the sun can warm up rocks and tree tops too much for anything else to be visible. That's where special artificial technology, developed in Squamish, BC, could make a huge difference. 

The software, called Eagle Eyes, uses the camera from a search drone and combines it with artificial intelligence technology called computer vision, which in this case has been trained to see and detect anomalies in landscapes. For instance, if a drone pilot scanned a search area at several hundred meters above the ground, the software would be able to detect movement or clothing from a person below, even if if they were less than a pixel on the screen. 

Detecting unusual features

The feed from the drone's camera is relayed back to the pilot in real time and a circle will hover over anything the software interprets as unusual. It works best when the person search crews are looking for is wearing bright clothing distinctly different from the surroundings. It can see things that the human eye would struggle to detect, said creator Peter O'Connor. 

"It's mainly looking at each pixel in the image and measuring how well it fits into the image, how well it fits into the colour distribution," he said. "It helps get that that information into the map that the team is using as quick as possible so that they can act on it." 

Baldwin is testing the technology for use on North Shore's calls and hopes to integrate it into its response soon. But he said no amount of innovation by the group can make up for people walking into the mountains unprepared.

"Don't expect the drone to find you 100 per cent of the time," he said. "I have flown over a subject and they heard it but I did not see them and they were rescued about 13 hours later. They said it was quite comforting to hear the drone over them." 

(Source: CBC News - BC, Georgie Smyth. Photo/Dillon Hodgin)

PAL Airlines Dash 8-Q400

Maritime provinces, Ottawa announce $9 million to help restore regional air travel

The Maritime provinces and Ottawa are spending $9 million to help restore air travel between Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Under a three-year pilot program with PAL Airlines, daily flights will be offered between Halifax, Sydney, N.S., Charlottetown, Fredericton and Moncton, N.B. Passengers are expected to fly with the service later this year, although exact dates aren’t yet known.

The joint funding includes $5 million from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, $2.9 million from Nova Scotia, $840,000 from P.E.I. and $458,000 from New Brunswick.

P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz and Island MP Sean Casey made the announcement Friday at the Charlottetown airport with Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston and Gilles LePage, minister responsible for New Brunswick’s Regional Development Corporation.

The announcement comes after the Council of Atlantic Premiers formed a working group in February 2023 on regional air travel that included government and airport authority representatives.

(Source: The Canadian Press via WINGS Magazine. Photo/PAL Airlines)

Bell Textron celebrates 6,000th commercial aircraft built in Quebec

Bell Textron Canada Limited announced the completion of its 6,000th commercial aircraft at the Commercial Delivery and Assembly Centre in Mirabel, Quebec, with two SUBARU Bell 412EPXs for operations by the Sûreté du Québec. Bell will deliver the aircraft to the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable, which manages a fleet of aircraft through the Service Aérien Gouvernemental (SAG). Bell Textron Canada has nearly a 40-year history in Quebec.

“Our 6,000th helicopter built in Canada demonstrates our commitment to manufacturing aircraft capable of performing the most critical missions, as well as our dedication to contributing to Quebec’s economy,” said Danny Maldonado, chief commercial officer, Bell Textron. “We’re proud of the products Bell Textron Canada has delivered to support critical missions across the globe.”

Since the 1960s, the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité Durable, through the SAG, has relied on Bell helicopters. The fleet used for the Sûreté du Québec’s mission plays a vital role in public safety across Quebec. The SUBARU Bell 412EPX includes new features that will enhance performance and operational capabilities in the Sûreté du Québec’s operations, including search and rescue missions across forest and mountainous terrain, crew and equipment transport, flood evacuation, aerial surveillance, and tactical operations.

“For the Sûreté du Québec, the new helicopters are essential to fulfilling our mission. Our police helicopter services, including search and rescue, are offered throughout Quebec thanks to our valuable partnership with the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable, particularly with the General Directorate of the SAG. In 2024, our helicopters carried out 116 missions,” said Madame Liette Abel Normandin, Senior Director of Strategy and Institutional Affairs and member of the Sûreté du Québec’s senior management team.

The celebrations took place at Bell Textron Canada’s Mirabel facility, where employees and dignitaries gathered to commemorate the historic event.

“Bell has been investing in Quebec for a long time, which has allowed us to create a global Center of Excellence in Mirabel. We are delighted that, thanks to this, Quebec’s engineering expertise is being exported worldwide with exceptional aircraft like the SUBARU Bell 412EPX,” said Michael Nault, General Manager of Bell Textron Canada.

(Source: WINGS Magazine Staff. Photo/Bell Textron Canada)

A Leap Forward for Sustainable Aviation in B.C.

Contributed by Steve Drinkwater, Canadian Aviator magazine

Pitt Meadows Airport (CYPK) was the venue for a historic milestone in Canadian aviation when three battery-electric airplanes took to the sky in a demonstration of carbon-free flight.

Two Pipistrel two-seat airplanes were joined by Harbour Air’s de Havilland Beaver, dubbed the eBeaver, sporting a MagniX powerplant and battery pack.

Mike Andrews, a Class 1 Flight Instructor, was instrumental in positioning Sealand Flight’s Pipistrel Velis Electro from its home base at Campbell River on Vancouver Island to the Lower Mainland for the event. Given the limited range of the Electro, the aircraft’s wings were detached from the fuselage before being trucked to Pitt Meadows for the demonstration flight, hosted by the Aero Club of British Columbia.

The second Pipistrel, a privately owned Alpha Electro, was piloted by owner James Douma and is based at Pitt Meadows airport. The third aircraft, the eBeaver, made the non-stop flight from Harbour Air’s Sea Island base in Richmond with Harbour Air’s V-P for Maintenance Shawn Braiden at the controls.

Club members and invited guests were treated with a historic flyby of the three aircraft over the airport before pilots Mike Andrews and Shawn Braeden gave presentations about how these aircraft are pioneering sustainable aviation in British Columbia. While the eBeaver is not yet in commercial service pending further development, the Vilus Electro is already generating revenue while serving as a training aircraft for Sealand Flight.

(Photo/Tobyn Burton)

PM Carney Launches New Defence Investment Agency to Rebuild, Rearm, and Reinvest in the CAF

As Canada’s new government rebuilds, rearms, and reinvests in the Canadian Armed Forces, we are focused on providing the women and men in uniform with the equipment they need, when they need it. With the right tools in their arsenal, we will reinforce Canada’s sovereignty, create high-paying new careers for Canadian workers, and strengthen our defence partnerships with Allies.

Canada’s defence procurement is currently fragmented across several departments, slow to consult industry, and too complicated to respond to rapidly evolving military needs – leaving the Canadian Armed Forces waiting years, sometimes decades for critical equipment. To protect our sovereignty and bolster our industrial capacity, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, today announced the creation of the new Defence Investment Agency, which will overhaul and streamline Canada’s defence procurement. This new agency will build domestic manufacturing and supply chains, and create new careers, so the Canadian Armed Forces have the world-class equipment they need.

First, the Defence Investment Agency will consolidate procurement processes – removing duplicate approvals and red tape, accelerating defence procurement, and providing industry with greater clarity and certainty. With a centralized process of review and approval, procurements will advance faster. Specialized staff at the agency will have expertise in defence acquisitions, ensuring focused planning and execution.

Second, the agency will tie procurement more strategically to domestic industrial benefits – creating new careers, growing our economy, and supercharging innovation in aerospace, shipbuilding, and advanced manufacturing. By leveraging defence procurement as investments in Canadian workers, companies, and technologies, the agency will help Canadian firms scale up, develop cutting-edge capabilities, and compete globally. In addition to this agency, the government will also continue to prioritize investments in dual purpose infrastructure that delivers immediate benefits for both our military and Canadians. In doing so, it will not only equip the Canadian Armed Forces with world-class tools, but also position Canada as a leader in industries critical to security and prosperity.

Third, the agency will ensure earlier engagement between the Canadian Armed Forces and Canada’s defence industry, so the military can underscore operational needs, and industry can provide realistic assessments of timelines, costs, and technological options. Early engagement will also enable Canada to better anticipate future needs and build industrial capacity ahead of time, at speed and scale.

Finally, the agency will align Canada more closely with partners such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and France, who already have dedicated procurement bodies, making joint defence purchases and partnerships easier and more efficient. The new agency also positions Canada as a leader in the European Union’s Readiness 2030 plan, a multilateral effort with our European allies to reinforce defence supply chains and industrial capacity among allied nations. The Defence Investment Agency will prioritize partnerships and investments to meet 2% of GDP on defence spending this year and meet NATO’s 5% Defence Investment Pledge by 2035.

To spearhead this mission, the Prime Minister announced the appointment of Doug Guzman as Chief Executive Officer of the Defence Investment Agency. Having most recently served as Deputy Chair of the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Mr. Guzman brings three decades of experience in investment and finance, including leadership roles at RBC and Goldman Sachs. His expertise in capital allocation, project execution, and large financial projects will be instrumental in accelerating procurement and growing our defence industrial base.

The global landscape is rapidly changing, and Canada is meeting this moment with determination and resolve – modernizing our defence capabilities, strengthening our industrial base, and reaffirming our role as a reliable partner in global security.

“In a dangerous and divided world, Canada’s new government is ensuring the Canadian Armed Forces get the equipment they need, when they need it. The new agency will bolster our defence industrial capacity, create new careers, and ensure that in this new era, Canada’s leadership is not defined by the strength of our values, but also by the value of our strength.”

— The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada

“This is a tremendous opportunity for partnership between government and businesses. All at once, we can drive investment, strengthen our national security, and meet our international commitments. We will bring speed and simplicity to the process of arming our military, while building Canada’s industrial capacity. I am proud to have the opportunity to serve Canada at this important time.”

— Doug Guzman, Chief Executive Officer, Defence Investment Agency

“Canada is rebuilding, rearming, and reinvesting in our military. The establishment of the Defence Investment Agency represents a bold step forward, ensuring that our procurement system keeps pace with today’s security challenges and aligns with the ambitions of our defence strategy. This agency will drive results – accelerating timelines, strengthening partnerships, and delivering better outcomes for both our Armed Forces and our economy.”

— The Hon. Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement

“Canada faces a new security reality that reinforces the need for the Canadian Armed Forces to be agile, well equipped, and future-ready. It is a privilege to lead the Defence Investment Agency, which will streamline procurement, unlock opportunities for Canadian industry and workers, and ensure our military is prepared to defend our sovereignty. With this new agency, our government is taking a decisive step to equip our soldiers, sailors, and aviators with the tools they need, while investing in the growth of a strong defence industrial base.”

— The Hon. Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State (Defence Procurement)

“Canada is increasing and accelerating our defence investments, delivering on our international commitments. These targeted investments in the Canadian industry will build a procurement system that meets the needs of today. The creation of the Defence Investment Agency is an important step in ensuring the Canadian Armed Forces have secure, assured, and timely access to the capabilities they need to defend Canada and support our Allies and partners.”

— The Hon. David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence

(Source: Department of National Defence Press Release published by the Canadian Defense Review. Photo/Canadian Defense Review)

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Winter Readiness at YVR

At YVR, safety and security are at the heart of everything we do—and winter operations are no exception. As the coldest (and merriest) season approaches, YVR is working to deliver smooth, safe, and stress-free journeys, even in the face of heavy weather challenges.

Over recent years, we’ve introduced protocols and cutting-edge technology, reshaping operations to be more resilient and efficient—all while elevating the traveller experience. Let’s dive into how YVR is prepared to keep people and cargo moving this winter.

Training, planning, and equipment

To do our best to deliver seamless and efficient operations during winter, YVR is equipped with advanced systems, well-trained teams and a fleet of snow and ice removal equipment.

• Real-time weather monitoring: YVR has 24/7 access to meteorologists. Advanced weather monitoring equipment allows for proactive responses to changing conditions such as air temperature, wind speed, and snowfall, among other impacts, ensuring the highest safety standards.
• Trained crews: Ongoing training and simulations ensure maintenance teams are ready to handle diverse winter challenges with precision.
• Around-the-clock maintenance: Extra maintenance staff and dedicated bridge and apron crews are on standby to tackle winter conditions.
• Efficient gate protocols: Protocols are in place to ensure arriving aircraft can deplane passengers within 30 minutes of taxiing, maintaining smooth terminal operations.
• Snow and ice control: During a snowstorm, YVR can deploy more than 140 vehicles to remove ice and snow from the airfield. This impressive fleet includes powerful snow blowers and specialized equipment capable of clearing up to 40,000 tons of snow per hour, ensuring the airport remains operational even in severe weather. Some of the specialized equipment is part of YVR’s own fleet, while additional resources, such as snow blowers, plows, and de-icing vehicles, are provided by Aeromag and other key contractors, all working in coordination as part of the airport's winter operations. Learn more about YVR’s snow removal equipment here.
• De-icing power: YVR’s fleet of 28 de-icing trucks can clear a narrowbody plane in as little as four minutes and a widebody plane in eight minutes, excluding time for the aircraft to get in and out of the de-icing bay. This ensures timely departures even in challenging winter weather, helping keep flights on schedule.

New and enhanced infrastructure

YVR continues to elevate operations with advanced technology and other upgrades to deliver reliable airport operations. These include:

• Baggage system upgrades: Our new High-Level Control (HLC) baggage system will help ensure faster and more reliable baggage delivery.
• Faster security screening: In partnership with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), new Computed Tomography (CT) X-ray equipment, similar to the equipment recently installed at Domestic Checkpoint ABC North will also be available at the Domestic ABC South screening point. As one of a handful of Canadian airports offering this technology, this new equipment allows all passengers travelling domestically to save time by leaving large electronics, such as laptops, and liquids in their bags for a faster security screening experience.
• Efficient de-icing: Select aircraft with early morning departures will be de-iced at the gate under a new trial, which is expected to reduce taxi time.
• Biometrics technology:  Passengers also have more opportunities to use biometric identity verification tools versus having to show boarding passes and physical identification through Air Canada’s Digital ID program and newly installed e-gates for those travelling to the U.S. via U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Traveller Verification Service (TVS) facial comparison technology. YVR has recently installed the first five e-gates in our U.S. Departures pier in collaboration with Air Canada, Transport Canada, and CBP. Available at select gates, the TVS will allow Air Canada passengers flying to the U.S. to have the option of using facial comparison to verify their identity at the gate instead of showing their passport and boarding pass.

Passenger preparation

YVR has a variety of programs, services, and tools to make passengers’ journeys smoother during the peak winter travel season:

• Travel checklist: Discover tips to prepare for your travel this winter season.
• Curbside greeting program: This service provides a warm welcome and personalized assistance for all departing passengers, including those requiring additional accessibility support, to ensure a seamless airport experience.
• Parking: Passengers can pre-book parking at YVR for the lowest rates. For a limited time, get 10 per cent off jetSet valet parking when you pre-book with promo code WINTER (valid for stays commencing from December 15 to January 4). For those picking up or dropping off loved ones from the airport, the first 30 minutes of parking in YVR’s parkade is complimentary.
• Travel technology integration: Passengers travelling to the U.S. can submit passport and customs information in advance of their trip through the Mobile Passport Control app, expediting the customs inspection process. For International arrivals, the ArriveCAN app supports advance customs submissions, enabling faster processing through our Advance CBSA Declaration (ACD) Express Lanes.
• Passenger Journey tool: YVR’s Passenger Journey tool is a step-by-step navigation guide, offering detailed instructions based on flight information. Travellers can access it by finding their departing flight information on the departures section of our website and clicking “View Your Journey”.
• Operational dashboard: YVR’s operational snapshot provides near real-time information about peak travel days, passenger volumes, popular destinations, weather conditions and more, helping passengers plan their trips efficiently.

With more than 3 million passengers travelling through YVR over the peak winter travel season, from December 1 through January 12, YVR’s convenient parking options, new technology solutions, and operational enhancements will help passengers travel seamlessly.

(Source: YVR News. Photos/YVR)

SUPPORTER PROFILE

Register now for the CILTNA Webinar: "The Budget, Tariffs & Infrastructure: Your Canadian Business Adventure! Charting a Course Through Challenges-and Spotting Opportunities Along the Way" on Thursday, December 18 at 1 pm ET/ 10 am PT/ 6 pm UK.

Our panel of experts will bring you up to speed on how recent Federal Budget investments are supercharging trade-enhancing infrastructure, from bustling ports to high-speed rails. Get the inside scoop on today's import and export trends and discover how businesses are navigating these changes. Whether you’re a seasoned shipper or just curious about what’s happening at the border, this session promises fresh insights and a dash of fun.

*There will be prizes, so register today to secure your spot!

Please feel free to share this with anyone you feel would be interested in attending. We look forward to seeing you there!

REGISTER NOW

For more information, please visit the CILTNA event web page.

SUPPORTER PROFILE

(*Attached as a PDF.)

SUPPORTER PROFILE

Air North reintroduces seasonal service between Vancouver and Yellowknife

Air North – Yukon's Airline has announced the return of its seasonal, non-stop service between Vancouver and Yellowknife, beginning Mon., Nov. 24, 2025. The flights will which depart twice weekly until March 27, 2026.

The airlines said that this reinstated route enhances direct air travel between British Columbia and the Northwest Territories; and it also enables near year-round air service between Whitehorse and Yellowknife: via Vancouver in the winter and through Air North’s eastern gateway in Ontario during the summer. The service will play a key role in enhancing northern transportation links and fostering economic and cultural connections across the region.

Benjamin Ryan, Chief Commercial Officer at Air North, said that: “This route aligns with our mission to deliver Canada’s best regional air network.”

Ryan explained that: “As a Yukon-owned and operated airline, we are deeply committed to supporting the prosperity of Canada’s Arctic. We see this route as a meaningful step toward strengthening connections between the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Our track record of delivering safe, reliable, and affordable air access in the North continues to contribute to community well-being and long-term economic development.”

Mike McNaney, Vice President and Chief External Affairs Officer at Vancouver International Airport (YVR), said: “We are pleased that Air North – which has been serving northern communities out of YVR for over 20 years – is reintroducing service to Yellowknife. Those traveling from British Columbia now have more choice and opportunity to experience all that a Northwest Territories winter has to offer, while flights from Yellowknife are timed for seamless onward connections through YVR.”

The service reflects Air North’s northern-first strategy, marking a significant milestone in connecting the Yukon and Northwest Territories by prioritizing community needs, fostering economic integration, and strengthening long-term regional resilience.

It enhances tourism and travel trade by increasing two-way visitor flows between Yellowknife and Vancouver, with seamless connections for international travelers eager to experience Aurora season. It also supports cargo transport, business travel, scientific collaboration, and ongoing investment in northern innovation and Indigenous partnerships.

Donna Lee Demarcke, Chief Executive Officer of Northwest Territories Tourism, observed that: “NWT Tourism is very excited to welcome back Air North’s seasonal non‑stop service between Vancouver and Yellowknife. The reinstated route highlights Air North’s continued commitment to supporting the Northwest Territories and our businesses.”

She continued: “Whether traveling to visit family and friends, for business, or to experience the magic of the midnight sun or the Northern Lights, this route fosters meaningful opportunities for tourism, business, and cultural connection. We thank Air North for their continued support as we work together to showcase the Spectacular NWT to the world.”

The inaugural flight, operated by Air North’s Boeing 737 aircraft, departs Vancouver International Airport (YVR) at 1:25 p.m. PT on Mon., Nov 24, and arrives at Yellowknife Airport (YZF) at 4:55 p.m. MT.

Flights are available for purchase starting today, with one-way fares from just $139 CAD, including complimentary meals, checked and carry-on baggage, and Air North’s famous warm chocolate chip cookie and friendly service.

(Source: TravelPress.com. Photo/Air North)

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Pacific Coastal Airlines Announces New Non-Stop Flights Between Kelowna and Cranbrook

Pacific Coastal Airlines is proud to announce the launch of new non-stop service between Kelowna (YLW) and Cranbrook (YXC), beginning Monday, October 27, 2025, as part of its Winter 2025/2026 schedule. This route will operate daily using 19-passenger Beechcraft 1900 aircraft.

This enhanced schedule supports business, leisure and medical travel, with morning departures from Cranbrook offering seamless one-stop connections via Kelowna to Victoria, Nanaimo, and Comox, and evening return connections from those Vancouver Island destinations back to Cranbrook.

With the introduction of this route, Pacific Coastal Airlines will now serve 20 destinations across British Columbia, more than any other airline, a new milestone for the airline.

“It’s fantastic to once again offer non-stop service between Kelowna and Cranbrook, with our new schedule offering preferred morning and afternoon time of day flights,” says Johnathan Richardson, VP of Commercial at Pacific Coastal Airlines. “This new service not only strengthens regional air access in the Okanagan but also enables efficient one-stop travel between the Kootenays and Vancouver Island.”

“We are excited to see the Pacific Coastal network continue to expand at YLW. The addition of this new direct route not only strengthens Pacific Coastal’s position as a regional connector but supports Kelowna’s role as a transportation hub for travelers and goods throughout our province,” said Sam Samaddar, CEO, Kelowna International Airport.

“We are ecstatic to officially welcome the return of Pacific Coastal Airlines to YXC. This renewed partnership represents a vital enhancement to our regional connectivity and is of utmost importance to our community and the broader Kootenay region. The return of this improved version of the OK (Okanagan – Kootenay) Connector is scheduled for optimized connectivity to not only Kelowna but through to/from Victoria, Nanaimo and Comox, bridging Vancouver Island, the Okanagan and Kootenay Regions in a compelling new way,” says Tristen Chernove, CEO, Elevate Airports inc.

“Hope Air is proud to support Pacific Coastal Airline’s launch of this new flight route between Cranbrook and Kelowna, which will make it significantly easier for patients in the East Kootenays to access the healthcare they need. Reliable, timely travel options are essential for equitable healthcare, and this route brings us one step closer to closing the gap for rural British Columbians,” says Stephanie Aldridge, Vice President of Patient Experience at Hope Air.

Kootenay Rockies Tourism Association is thrilled to see the return of Pacific Coastal’s service between the Canadian Rockies International Airport in Cranbrook (YXC) and Kelowna International Airport (YLW).  Kootenay Rockies CEO, Kathy Cooper, stated: “This additional daily service will offer visitors and residents a great linkage of air service from the interior of BC to the Kootenay Rockies region. It will also provide connectivity options for those coming from further locations such as Comox, Nanaimo, and Victoria. Pacific Coastal is a strong partner in the tourism sector, and we congratulate them on reinstating this service this fall. More connection options such as this are vital to areas that have smaller regional airports that struggle to provide robust flight schedule services.”

“The ability to connect different areas of our province is paramount, and we’re excited to re-establish the crucial link between Kelowna (YLW) and Cranbrook (YXC).  We recognize the importance of accessible air travel for our communities, and this renewed route will undoubtedly foster new opportunities for collaboration and growth between these vibrant regions, serving both our residents and visitors alike. It’s truly exciting to see this essential transportation network come back to life,” says Ellen Walker-Matthews, CEO, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA).

(Source/Photo: Pacific Coastal Airlines.)

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