First Direct Air Connection Between Canada's North, Vancouver Island, and the Okanagan Launches Today
WHITEHORSE, YT – MAY 18, 2018 – Today, Air North, Yukon’s Airline is proud to commence twice weekly Boeing 737 jet service between Whitehorse, Yukon, Victoria, British Columbia and Kelowna, British Columbia.
Although the airline has served Kelowna since 2013, this new route marks the first direct air connection between Canada’s North and Vancouver Island. By adding service to the Okanagan from Victoria, Air North becomes the only carrier with regularly scheduled all-jet service to Kelowna from Vancouver Island.
At just over 2 hours on the non-stop routing, the flight time between Victoria or Kelowna and Whitehorse makes a getaway to the North attainable even when travelers only have a few days. Round trip air fare from Victoria to Whitehorse starts as low as $420 per person including all taxes and fees. For the 50-minute flight from Victoria to Kelowna, a round trip ticket is as low as $200 per person all taxes and fees included.
Round trip flight and 3-night accommodation packages to Whitehorse are available from as low as $690 per person all taxes and fees included, based on double occupancy. All fares and packages are subject to availability.
Islanders now have direct access to the Yukon’s many renowned cultural, culinary and adventure experiences. Visitors can take in great Yukon events such as the Adaka Cultural Festival that runs from 29 June to 5 July, 2018; the Yukon Culinary Festival from 23 to 26 August, 2018; or, the Northern Nights Dark Sky Festival at Kluane National Park and Reserve on 21 and 22 September, 2018.
For those seeking out Northern Lights, viewing starts in late September and lasts until April each season. There are many Yukon Tour Operators providing Northern Lights Viewing excursions. Read about them at www.travelyukon.com.
The flight will serve Victoria and Kelowna twice weekly with Air North’s fleet of comfortable Boeing 737 aircraft. Guests will be pleasantly surprised at Air North’s “flying as it should be” service offering. Air fare includes 2 complimentary checked bags to a total combined weight of 100 pounds (maximum 70 pounds for any one piece) and complimentary light meal service including our famous warm cookies.
Guests traveling with sports equipment such as golf clubs will enjoy Air North’s generous sport baggage policy that allows their sports gear to be included in their checked baggage allowance if it fits within the weight and dimension requirements. Bikes in boxes can be flown for only $25 + taxes.
On Mondays, the flight departs Victoria at 7:10PM PT non-stop to Whitehorse for arrival at 9:45PM PT. Guests returning to Victoria on Mondays will depart at 2:30PM PT from Whitehorse, with a brief stop in Kelowna for arrival at 6:25PM PT.
On Fridays, the plane departs Victoria at 5:25PM PT non-stop to Kelowna for arrival at 6:15PM into Whitehorse at 9:45PM PT. Guests returning to Victoria on Friday will depart Whitehorse at 2:30PM PT on a non-stop flight that arrives at 4:45PM PT.
Guests can learn more about Air North and book flights at www.flyairnorth.com or by calling our reservation call centre at 1-800-661-0407 extension 1 option 1. The reservation call centre is open Monday to Friday 7AM to 6PM or weekends from 9AM to 5PM.
Quotes:
Joe Sparling, President and CEO, Air North, Yukon’s Airline
“We are very pleased to be delivering a service that Yukoners have been requesting for years. Whether they are attending school, traveling for work or visiting family this flight is going to make travel to Vancouver Island so much easier for everyone in the Yukon and Canada’s North.”
Benjamin Ryan, Chief Commercial Operator, Air North, Yukon’s Airline “We are thrilled to be launching a route that will connect Vancouver Island directly with the Yukon and provide jet service into the Okanagan. Whether it’s Yukoners traveling south or Islanders traveling north to visit family, do business or check off a bucket list adventure, this flight is going to make travel from Vancouver Island to Canada’s North and BC’s interior affordable and easy.”
Honorable Jeanie Dendys, Minister for Tourism and Culture, Yukon Government
“This new route will provide greater opportunities for tourism in the territory and foster closer connections with Vancouver Island and BC’s Okanagan Valley. Air North continues to provide great service allowing Yukoners to explore abroad and visitors to see what our territory has to offer.”
Paul Nursey, President and CEO, Tourism Victoria
“We are delighted that Air North is making it easier for people to travel between Whitehorse and Victoria. Our destination is known for having the mildest climate in Canada year-round, and we invite northerners to see there is so much more to Victoria than just great weather. These flights also offer a great opportunity for Asian travelers who dream of seeing the Northern Lights to add Victoria to their itineraries.”
Anthony Everett, President and CEO of Tourism Vancouver Island
“Congratulations to Air North on the launch of this new route. We extend a warm welcome to all our northern friends arriving to our vibrant island and invite them to explore the cultural, art, adventure and culinary experiences offered by the many dedicated tourism operators who are based here.”
Lisanne Ballantyne, President and CEO of Tourism Kelowna
“We welcome this new routing and service from Air North that connects travelers from Northern Canada and Vancouver Island to the beautiful Okanagan Valley. Business and leisure travelers can bring the personal items and sporting equipment they want to enjoy Kelowna’s four-season playground and fill their bags with souvenirs and delicious Okanagan Valley wines to take back home to enjoy. We look forward to sharing more of Kelowna’s hospitality and memorable experiences with visitors taking advantage of this new routing.”
Media inquiries:
Debra Ryan
Manager, Strategic Alliances and Planning
ryand@flyairnorth.com
(867) 355-1220
Fraser Pearce
Sales and Client Relations
pearchf@flyairnorth.com
(867) 334-6619
About Air North, Yukon’s Airline
Founded in 1977, Air North, Yukon’s Airline has proudly provided affordable, reliable air services to Yukoners for over 40 years. The airline serves 11 Canadian destinations including Whitehorse, Yellowknife, Dawson City, Old Crow, Inuvik, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Kelowna, Victoria, and Ottawa. Its modern fleet is comprised of five Boeing 737 jets, and five turboprop aircraft including two ATR-42s and three Hawker-Siddeley 748s. Named North America’s most-loved airline in 2016 by Fortune Magazine, Air North, Yukon’s Airline prides itself on providing genuine Yukon hospitality from the moment guests step aboard its flights. Passengers experience fresh fare prepared daily by its Whitehorse flight kitchen, locally-roasted Midnight Sun Coffee Roasters coffee, and Yukon Brewing beer. Air North, Yukon’s Airline is one of the few remaining North American carriers that does not charge fees for checked baggage. Guests enjoy two complimentary checked bags (up to 100 lbs with no one item exceeding 70 lbs) on its 737 jets, and one complimentary checked bag (up to 44 lbs) on its turboprops. For more information, including flight schedules and fares visit www.flyairnorth.com.
