June 12th, 2023
Richmond, BC – Pacific Coastal Airlines is thrilled to announce the introduction of two new routes at the Nanaimo Airport, further enhancing its commitment to connecting communities and providing convenient travel options for passengers.
Starting Tuesday, September 12, 2023, Pacific Coastal Airlines will operate daily non-stop flights on the Nanaimo – Vancouver South Terminal and Nanaimo – Kelowna routes, utilizing the 19-passenger pressurized turboprop Beechcraft 1900 aircraft. This aircraft offers passengers comfortable seating, a spacious 6-foot cabin height, and ample cargo capacity, ensuring a pleasant and convenient travel experience.
The flight schedules for the new routes are as follows:
Nanaimo – Vancouver South Terminal:
| Flight Number | Route | Departure | Arrival | Effective Date |
| 8P1710 | Nanaimo (YCD) – Vancouver (YVR South Terminal) | 7:45 | 8:15 | Wednesday, September 13, 2023 |
| 8P1715 | Vancouver (YVR South Terminal) – Nanaimo (YCD) | 14:55 | 15:25 | Tuesday, September 12, 2023 |
Nanaimo – Kelowna:
| Flight Number | Route | Departure | Arrival | Effective Date |
| 8P1857 | Nanaimo (YCD) – Kelowna (YLW) | 15:50 | 16:55 | Tuesday, September 12, 2023 |
| 8P1858 | Kelowna (YLW) – Nanaimo (YCD) | 17:20 | 18:25 | Tuesday, September 12, 2023 |
“We are thrilled to announce these two new routes and add Nanaimo as a new destination to our route network,” said Johnathan Richardson, VP of Customer & Commercial. “Our unique Nanaimo – Vancouver South Terminal service will provide seamless connections to other destinations in our network and offer customers a new option of travelling with ease from the South Terminal, while our Nanaimo – Kelowna service will provide the only non-stop flight option enabling customers to travel between these communities in just over an hour.”
Dave Devana, President and CEO at Nanaimo Airport Commission said, “We are very pleased to partner with Pacific Coastal to bring direct services to both the South Terminal (YVR) and Kelowna (YLW). This partnership will allow our customers to access all of BC through Pacific Coastal’s extensive network of routes within BC. We are very excited to expand the route options for our customers.”
Russ Atkinson, Director of Air Service Development at Vancouver Airport Authority, expressed enthusiasm about Pacific Coastal Airlines’ expansion: “We welcome Pacific Coastal Airlines’ new route from YVR’s South Terminal to Nanaimo as part of its growing service between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland. This new service further connects our communities, giving British Columbians and those who travel here another option to visit Nanaimo and other destinations on the Island, while providing important air access for the region to Vancouver and beyond.”
“We are so excited to be offering Nanaimo as a new destination and provide expanded regional service for Okanagan residents,” says Sam Samaddar, Kelowna Airport Director. “Pacific Coastal has been operating out of YLW for 10 years, and we are happy to be able to continue to have them as a valued partner.”
Tickets for the new routes are now available for purchase. Passengers can book their flights by visiting pacificcoastal.com, contacting the Call Centre at 1-800-663-2872, or reaching out to their preferred travel agent.
As a special promotion to celebrate the launch of these routes, Pacific Coastal Airlines is offering a 20% discount on bookings using the promo code: WELCOMENANAIMO. Visit pacificcoastal.com for more details.
As part of establishing new routes at the Nanaimo Airport, Pacific Coastal Airlines has introduced a new pilot base at the Nanaimo Airport and is currently recruiting for pilots to fly the Beechcraft B1900 who wish to be based on Vancouver Island. Interested applicants can learn more here.
About Pacific Coastal Airlines
Pacific Coastal Airlines is a privately-owned British Columbia-based regional airline operating from Vancouver International Airport’s South Terminal (YVR) that currently flies to 17 airports in British Columbia. Connecting to additional destinations along the south coast of British Columbia through its affiliate airline Wilderness Seaplanes, located in Port Hardy on northern Vancouver Island.
