Air Canada forges new partnership for expanded travel with B.C.-based airline
Air Canada travellers looking to connect to B.C. communities from destinations around the world will have new options thanks to a partnership with a Richmond-based airline.
Pacific Coastal Airlines (PCA) announced the launch of a bilateral interline partnership with Canada’s largest airline on Wednesday, Sept. 23.
According to Quentin Smith, president of Pacific Coastal Airlines, the partnership is a significant milestone for the company as well as the communities it serves.
Pacific Coastal Airlines
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“This agreement will make it easier for our customers to travel beyond British Columbia while creating new opportunities for visitors, businesses, and families to reach communities throughout our province,” said Smith in a release.
The agreement between Air Canada and PCA will allow travellers to buy a single ticket for eligible trips involving connecting flights across their respective networks, including Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express flights.
Customers will also be able to check in and receive boarding passes for all of their flights at the first point of departure.
Matheus Obst/Shutterstock
“This interline agreement with Pacific Coastal strengthens regional connectivity by linking their network with Air Canada’s global reach,” said Karim Rachi, senior director of global partnerships at Air Canada, in a statement.
“Together, we are making it easier for travellers across British Columbia to access destinations in Canada and around the world, while helping drive tourism and economic growth in communities throughout the province.”
Passengers can check on eligible interline itineraries through Air Canada’s website and online travel agencies.
It’s been a busy month for PCA, as the airline recently entered into an agreement with Harbour Air to form a new regional airline group.
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The new regional airline group will be made up of 59 aircraft, reaching 25 communities from its key hub in Vancouver. There will also be expanded service for B.C. residents and new connections across the country and around the world through Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
Harbour Air and PCA currently maintain up to 300 daily flights on their respective seaplane network and complementary wheeled flight network.