Air BC
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Air BC was an airline based in British Columbia in Canada and now part of Air Canada Jazz.
[edit] 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 de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otters, some as float planes. In 1983, DHC-7 Dash 7 aircraft were delivered, and from 1988 BAe 146-200 jets. DHC-8 Dash 8-100 aircraft were acquired in 1986.
In 1987, Air Canada purchased 85% of Air BC, and Air BC became an Air Canada regional partner. In March 1995, Air Canada purchased the remaining shares. DHC-8 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.
