Air BC was an airline based in British Columbia in Canada and now part of Air Canada Jazz.

History

Air BC was established in 1980 after the merger (by the Jim Pattison Group) of a number of western coast domestic airlines: Canadian Air Transit, Flight Operation, Gulf Air Aviation, Haida Airlines, Island Airlines, Ominecca Air, Pacific Coast Air Services and West Coast Air Services. A combined fleet emerged including DHC-6 Twin Otters (some were floatplanes). In 1983 DHC Dash 7 aircraft were delivered and from 1988 BAe 146-200 jets. DHC Dash 8-100 aircraft were acquired in 1986.

In 1987 Air Canada purchased 85% of Air BC and AirBC became an Air Canada regional partner. In March 1995, Air Canada purchased the remaining shares. DHC Dash 8-300 aircraft were introduced.

In January 2001, a newly-merged carrier called Air Canada Regional Inc was established. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Air Canada, this company combined the individual strengths of four regional airlines – Air BC, Air Nova, Air Ontario, and Canadian Regional Airlines. Consolidation of these four companies was completed in 2002 and was marked by the launch of a new name and brand - Air Canada Jazz.

External Links

• Air Canada Jazz