Harbour Air to acquire Pacific Coastal Airlines

Harbour Air, the Canadian seaplane operator, is set to acquire Pacific Coastal Airlines, with the two British Columbia carriers to be combined into a new airline group. The deal was announced on 15 September. No financial terms were released, and both airlines are privately owned.

Both brands will be kept, and the group will run a single loyalty programme. The combined fleet will total 59 aircraft: Harbour Air's 40 seaplanes plus Pacific Coastal's 19 turboprops, made up of Saab 340B and Beechcraft 1900 aircraft. Vancouver will serve as the main hub, with up to 300 daily flights to roughly 25 destinations, including more within British Columbia and new connections across Canada and internationally through Vancouver International airport.

Harbour Air chief executive Bert van der Stege said the new group was an important step for the company, its employees and the communities both carriers serve, adding that the airline has long respected Pacific Coastal and its staff. Pacific Coastal president Quentin Smith said the merger would bring more career opportunities for the group's 900 employees, and noted the airline has connected communities across the province since 1987.

The transaction still requires regulatory approval. Until it is cleared, the two airlines will keep operating independently. Harbour Air is owned by the Canadian investment firm Birch Hill Equity Partners.