City survey solicits views on Penticton’s commercial flight service

PENTICTON – Penticton residents will have an opportunity to share their views on flight service out of Penticton Regional Airport in a city survey.

The City and the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen want to better understand the needs of residents, especially in light of recent changes to Air Canada's service to Vancouver.

Director of development services Anthony Haddad says ina media release they hopes to gain a better understanding of the effects the changes in scheduling are going to have for Penticton residents using the Vancouver service, in addition to identifying any gaps in air service.

“The availability of flight service in Penticton is an important contributor to our regional economy,” Haddad says, adding many people choose to live in Penticton because of the ease of travel to Vancouver and Calgary.

Air Canada announced recently changes to service to Penticton, including the introduction of newer, Q-400 Bombardier aircraft, as well as changes to the Penticton to Vancouver flight scheduling that will see the loss of the airport’s 11 p.m. arrival and 6 a.m. departure flights as of May 1.

Penticton City Council discussed the matter at a regular meeting last week. 

The Penticton Airport Flight Service Survey will run until April 6. The information collected will be shared with Air Canada and potentially with other airlines who might be interested in filling any gaps in the schedule, the City says.

“We encourage anyone who travels through Penticton airport to complete the survey and hope to hear from as many people as possible,” Haddad says.

You can participate in the survey on the City of Penticton website here.

For more information about changes to Air Canada Express flight service in Penticton, go here.

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