http://www.aviation-news.co.uk 63HARBOUR AIR HISTORY
The company was formed in 1982 as
Windoak Air Service using two Beaver
seaplanes providing links for the ever-
growing forest industry, connecting remote
locations with larger towns. The carrier
also undertook private charters (including
transporting shermen to isolated locations)
and was so successful that it added
scheduled ights between Vancouver and
Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, the
Sunshine Coast and Whistler.
In 1993, it began a series of takeovers by
acquiring Trans Provincial Airlines and has
since added Westcoast Air (2010), Whistler
Air (2012) and Salt Spring Air (2015) – all
similar operators – to its portfolio. Curiously,
over the years the types of aircraft operated
have changed little, with Beavers, Otters and
Twin Otters still in operation. The reason is
simple, there are few other types that can
provide the right passenger capacities and
economies of these aircraft.
A small European subsidiary, Harbour
Air Malta, was set up in June 2007 and a
Turbo Otter was based in Valetta harbour for
scheduled ights to the neighbouring island
of Gozo and sightseeing charters, but the
operation only lasted a few months.Above left: The carrier supported local
sports team the Vancouver Whitecaps FC
and painted this aircraft specially. The
sponsorship deal ended earlier this year.
Left: The carrier’s primary route links the
harbours of Victoria and Vancouver.
Below: The busiest hub is the downtown
harbour airport in Vancouver. Spectators
can see all the movements from an elevated
area next to the cruise terminal, with aircraft
arriving or departing every 15 minutes in the
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