Press

At 7:30 AM on Friday, May 15, the Saanich Peninsula will be a bit closer to Vancouver and the rest of the world when Saltspring Air departs Pat Bay (Victoria) for the first daily flight to downtown Vancouver. It’s the official launch of a new service that will put passengers from the Saanich Peninsula in downtown Vancouver within half an hour. Previously, commuters had to make the trek into downtown Victoria or take the ferry to cross the water.

“We’re always in support of transportation that better connects the Saanich Peninsula to nearby regions,” said Eileen Leddy, Executive Director of the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. “Saltspring Air run an excellent service and we are all looking forward to the added convenience of scheduled service out of our own backyard. I expect it will bring stronger economic ties to Vancouver.”

“We’ve had a lot of requests for service from the Saanich Peninsula,” says St. Clair McColl, President and pilot, Saltspring Air. “We know a number of people on the Peninsula commute to Vancouver on a regular basis. This service saves them the drive into downtown Victoria or a wait at the ferry terminal and shortens their commute time.”

The pilot for the new Pat Bay (Victoria) to Vancouver route is Gavin Hassett, Olympic silver medalist and Saanich Peninsula resident. Gavin has been flying on the west coast for 20 years and recently joined Saltspring Air from West Coast Air.

Saltspring Air made the news in 2007 when pilot and owner St. Clair McColl and two passengers rescued Larry Blackman and his 16 year old son from the ocean when their boat had capsized on a windy March day in the Strait of Georgia. The Lifesaving Society of British Columbia later honoured McColl and his two passengers for the rescue. McColl also appeared as himself in the 1995 film Far From Home: The Adventures of Yellow Dog.

Saltspring Air expanded the fleet to launch the Vancouver service, adding another deHavilland Beaver to the existing fleet. The Pat Bay to Vancouver service will run five days a week, departing from Pat Bay 7:30 AM and departing downtown Vancouver in front of the Westin Bayshore Hotel at 4:45 PM. Cost is $125 each way plus taxes. There is no fuel surcharge or airport fee. Until June 15, Saltspring Air is offering a free companion fare for passengers booking a round trip.

Scheduled flights or charters may be booked by calling 1.877.537.9880 or emailing reservations@saltspringair.com

About Saltspring Air

Saltspring Air was established in 1995 and has been flying under its own banner since 2003. The only floatplane company based on Salt Spring Island, Saltspring Air has created a thriving business with a fleet of four planes, six pilots and 10 dispatchers and support crew. Saltspring Air operates from its head office in Grace Point Square, Ganges, Salt Spring Island, with arrival and departure facilities in Vancouver, YVR, Maple Bay and now Patricia Bay. Saltspring Air is carbon neutral. Company info at www.saltspringair.com

Passengers can follow Saltspring Air for updates on Twitter http://twitter.com/saltspringair

About The Saanich Peninsula

A gateway to downtown Victoria, the Saanich Peninsula is home to a number of attractions including the Town of Sidney, the world famous Butchart Gardens, Butterfly World and the new Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre which opens June 20 at the port of Sidney, a host of museums including Heritage Acres, Saanich Pioneers’ Museum and the BC Aviation Museum. Musical and theatre events are held year-round at the Mary Winspear Centre.